Welcome to the
 Charter Schools Office

This site is under construction!

For questions about starting a Charter School, please visit the New Schools Office's Request For Proposals page .

For questions about existing DPS Charter Schools, please contact the schools directly. Contact information for each school may be found on the Charter School List Alternatively, you may contact the DPS Charter Liaison Chuck Carpenter at Charles_Carpenter@dpsk12.org or at 720-424-8174.

During the 2008-2009 school year, 20 charter schools are operating within the Denver Public Schools, with 6 new charter schools expected to open in the 2009-2010 school year. A charter school is a public school operated by a group of parents, teachers, or community members as a semi-autonomous school of choice within a school district. DPS charter schools operate under a contract between the members of the charter school and the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. As a semi-autonomous public school, a charter school has the ability to establish and implement its own educational program, curriculum, personnel practices, budget and operations according to its charter. A charter school may seek waivers from state regulations and district policies. However, they must follow all federal and state laws.

Denver Public Schools also contracts with educational service providers who operate contract schools. There are currently four contract schools operating within Denver Public Schools. Contract schools are similar to charter schools except that they do not operate under the state's charter law.

Existing Charter and Contract School leaders should visit the DPS Charter Web Portal (password required) for information.