Fifty-eight charter schools will be up and running in Utah this fall. And, while the numbers of schools are steadily increasing, the charters are also spreading into areas that serve a different demographic of students than in years past.
Charter schools are free, public schools, often started by parents or organizations, that usually have a specific emphasis. They have only existed in Utah since 1998.
But critics have often referred to charter schools as east-side elitist schools that only serve more affluent populations. There has been a dearth of charters in lower-income areas like the west side of Salt Lake City, where there is a high poverty and minority population.
Charter schools don't receive money for transportation, and though enrollment is open and done by a lottery, distant students would still have to find a way to get to school — though a couple of schools do provide transportation.
But this year two charter schools, Dual Immersion Academy and Guadalupe School, will be in operation in Glendale, while a science charter school will be opening in fall 2008 in Rose Park.
Marlies Burns, director of the State Charter Office, said one of the reasons charters haven't been established on Salt Lake City's west side is because there is very little land to put a school on. But as the city expands outward there are more opportunities for schools to fill vacant areas.
"It's kind of a big generalization, but the populations we are reaching now, specifically those that are at-risk or in high need, don't always have a whole lot of options open to them — a lot of times options are for those who have financial ability," Burns said. "This is a great opportunity to give choice in a public setting where they can receive some of the benefits of a specialized curriculum or program without having to pay extra for it."
The Dual Immersion Academy's opening event last week was the largest of any charter school in the state, school officials said. It included the governor, state leaders and hundreds of community members.
"This school offers something very different and very unique and brings choice to this particular population," said Joel Wright, a State Charter Board member.
The K-6 charter school is the first of its kind in the state and opted to forgo federal start-up funding, around $150,000, so it could give preference to Spanish-speaking students. Leaders say it's been a tough sacrifice, but the school is now opening at full capacity with 50 percent of the students coming from English-speaking homes and the other half coming from Spanish-speaking homes.
"Of all the charter schools this is perhaps the most remarkable," said Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. at the DIA ribbon-cutting last week.
Guadalupe School has a history of success over the past three decades as a hybrid public/private school. But last year it was accepted by the state as a charter school.
Also located in Glendale, the school targets children coming from immigrant families and works to ensure the children can read and write at grade level by the third grade. The program starts from birth with counselors working with parents on how to integrate literacy into a child's development.
Charter schools are also starting to spread into more rural areas as well — areas where families oftentimes have few educational options. Next fall new charter schools will be starting in Springville, Roosevelt, Herriman, Eagle Mountain and Cedar City.
For more information on charter schools visit www.schools.utah.gov/charterschools.
New charter schools open this year
Canyon Rim, Salt Lake City, www.canyonrimacademy.org
C.S. Lewis Academy, Payson, www.cslewisacademy.org
Dual Immersion Academy, Salt Lake City, www.diacharter.org
Edith Bowen Laboratory School, Logan, www.cehs.usu.edu/eb
Guadalupe School, Salt Lake City, www.guadalupe-schools.org
Karl Maeser Prep, Lindon, www.maeserprep.org
Open Classroom, Salt Lake City, www.ocslc.org
Charter school growth
Year, Number of charters in Utah
2002, 13
2003, 19
2004, 28
2005, 36
2006, 51
2007, 58
E-mail: terickson@desnews.com