charter school

[ chahr-ter skool ]

noun

1. an autonomous public school created by a contract between a sponsor, as a local school district or corporation, and an organizer, as a group of teachers or a community group, often with a curriculum or focus that is not traditional.

Word History and Origins

Origin of charter school¹

First recorded in 1800–10; current use dates from 1985–90

Example Sentences

In the board race with the most outside spending — more than $7.8 million — the teachers union backed two-term incumbent Schmerelson, a retired principal, while charter school supporters and allies backed Chang, a math teacher at a Valley middle school.

From Los Angeles Times

Other unions, the Democratic Party and charter school backers kicked in comparatively small contributions.

From Los Angeles Times

He does not consider himself a die-hard charter school supporter, but he is aligned in this election with the political arm of the California Charter Schools Assn.

From Los Angeles Times

Has held an executive role with a nonprofit that manages local public schools and with the Green Dot charter school group.

From Los Angeles Times

Charter school advocates who have funded big-money independent campaigns have largely sat out this race, but based on individual donations, charter backers appear to favor Ortiz.

From Los Angeles Times