The COVID-19 pandemic changed schools in Texas as students were forced out of the classroom and into their homes to learn. When schools opened back up, many parents had already begun to question their choice of school for their children.
While traditional public schools are still a great option, maybe you are looking for something different. A tuition-free public charter school is another viable public school option for your child. Keep reading to find out more about tuition-free public charter schools and what is recommended in El Paso, Texas.
What is a Tuition-Free Public Charter School in El Paso?
A tuition-free, public charter school is similar to a traditional public school as it also offers education to students in pre-kindergarten to grade 12. Community members such as guardians, parents, and teachers can petition for a new charter school to be opened.
Often, it is the governing board of the local school district that evaluates and approves petitions for the opening of a new charter school. According to the Education Code (EC) of Texas, the county boards of education and the State Board of Education can be the authorizing organizations for charter school petitions.
Another similarity shared by charter schools with traditional public schools is the source of funding. Both types of schools are funded by the state. However, these two school types differ in their administration and management since charter schools have more control. Charter schools enjoy more flexibility in how they run their schools including hiring and curriculum management.
Elected school boards, school districts and board-appointed superintendents oversee traditional public schools. Charter schools are managed by an entity under the supervision of their self-appointed board. This means charter schools have more independence than usual public schools, allowing them to make their own rules and innovate.
What tuition free public charter schools are available in El Paso?
We recommend El Paso Leadership Academy-East (EPLA-East). Our state-of-the-art campus serves middle and high school students to help develop their leadership and entrepreneurial skills. We prepare students for whatever career they want to pursue. Their education is personalized at EPLA East, and includes learning academics as well as life skills.
Our students are encouraged to think outside the box to achieve their goals. We teach a project-based learning curriculum and have an open forum space where students can work independently. They can even access free dual credit college courses or play e-sports!
Most importantly, no one is anonymous at EPLA East. We are one big family. Our school community includes families, caregivers, teachers, administrators, community members, business owners, and nonprofit organizations. We check in with each other every day and no one slips through the cracks at our small, close-knit public middle and high school. Parents love the ability to call EPLA East and talk to their scholar’s advisory teacher, who can answer any question about their scholar because they know them so well.
Are There Other Tuition-Free and Public Charter Schools Available in El Paso?
You can choose to apply and enroll your children in a tuition-free, public charter school even if it is outside your school district. El Paso charter schools do not have to comply with boundary school rules. Thus, parents in El Paso can opt for the charter school of their choice and not worry about breaking district rules. Texas laws state that charter schools admit any child residing in the state if their capacity allows it.
What is the Process of Enrolling my Child in a Tuition-Free Public Charter School in El Paso?
The enrollment process of charter schools is highly similar to other school types. They require an application where parents have to provide information about the child such as name, address, birth date, ethnic background, and the last school attended.
It is your responsibility to check the charter schools’ application and enrollment deadlines along with the school’s specific enrollment rules, policies, and requirements. Charter schools may have different rules and processes but all of their admission rules must comply with state laws. According to Texas laws, charter schools cannot implement policies that unlawfully discriminate against their applicants.
You should also remember that there is a high possibility of seeing your child’s name on the school’s waitlist especially if you applied to a sought-after charter school. Many charter schools receive more applications than their capacities allow. Schools that have more applicants than they can take in usually employ a random selection process. The lottery system is a commonly used selection technique by many charter schools.
Do Public Charter Schools Offer High-Quality Education in El Paso?
The Texas Legislature authorized the establishment of charter schools in 1995. Some of the first charters have been in operation since Fall 1996. There are 5 types of charter schools in Texas, which gives families more flexibility when it comes to choosing the right school for your child.
- By the 2014-2015 growth period, charter students experienced significantly stronger growth than their TPS peers by an additional 17 days of learning in both reading and math.
- Charter school enrollment was up 8.6% in the 2020-21 school year.
- Attrition rates average 19% compared to an average of 21% in traditional public schools.
- Charter schools in Texas are doing a better job of closing the achievement gap for Black and Hispanic students than traditional public schools.
About El Paso Leadership Academy East
El Paso Leadership Academy East (EPLA East) is a small, tuition-free public charter school serving middle and high school students in El Paso Texas. We’re reimagining education from the ground up, starting with our intentionally designed building and continuing that with our scholars’ innovative and personalized education. We work with community partnerships in preparing our scholars to become dynamic leaders in the 21st century. We stress the importance of collaboration and accountability in all we do. Join our growing 6th, 7th, 9th, & 10th grade school with more grades opening every year. Enroll today!