| About Charter Schools |
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Charter schools are public, nonsectarian schools created through a businesslike contract or "charter" between the operators and the sponsoring school board or other chartering authority. The Wisconsin charter school law gives charter schools freedom from most state rules and regulations in exchange for greater accountability for  results. The charter defines the missions and methods of the charter school; the chartering authority holds the school accountable to its charter. The charter school motto is "Autonomy for Accountability". Wisconsin established charter schools to foster an environment of creativity. Charter schools are created with the best elements of regular public schools in mind. Their leaders may experiment with different instructional theories, site-based management techniques, and other innovations. Wisconsin wants each charter school to meet the special needs and interests of its community, parents, and students. While many goals for educating and preparing children are similar, each charter school fulfills a specific local need in education. In 1996, Highland applied for and was awarded charter school status by the Milwaukee Public School Board of Directors. As the first charter school in Milwaukee, Highland takes seriously the philosophy that charter schools provide a competitive partnership and seeks to implement innovative and successful educational strategies – strategies that can be applied throughout the school district. What makes us a unique charter school is that our parents are the leaders and key decision-makers of the school and we are held directly accountable to their vision. Our parent involvement is second to none. It is the essential ingredient that makes us the school that we are. To find out more about charter schools in Wisconsin, go to www.wicharterschools.org, or www.qualitycharters.org for national information. |
