Helpful Links
Please direct all inquiries to:
The State Board of Education has multiple responsibilities under the charter school law (Chapter 28A.710 RCW) for administration, oversight, and reporting. Its primary responsibility is approval of school districts that apply to be charter school authorizers. Through its representation on the Washington State Charter School Commission, it also participates in the authorization of charter schools. For detailed information about charter schools, see the Charter Schools FAQ.
SBE Statutory Duties for Charter Schools
- Screen, approve, contract with, and oversee the performance and effectiveness of school districts that authorize charter schools within their boundaries
- Establish a statewide formula for an authorizer oversight fee
- Certify charter school applications approved by the Washington State Charter School Commission or a district authorizer between approval and contract ratification (to ensure there is space available within the 40 maximum schools allowed by law). Note that charter school applications are not currently being accepted.
- Create annual charter school report for Governor, Legislature, and public at large
- Review and determine whether to grant charter contract transfer petitions
- Include all charter schools in its public school system oversight, including accountability measures.
- SBE chair, or designee, serves as a member of the Charter School Commission
Charter School Authorizers
List of SBE-certified Charter Schools
There are 16 currently certified charter schools. The total does not include closed schools. The table below shows the status of currently certified and previously certified schools.
| Charter School | Authorizer | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ashé Preparatory Academy | Commission | Closed in 2019 |
| Catalyst Public Schools: Bremerton | Commission | Open |
| First Place Scholars | Commission | Closed in 2016 |
| Green Dot: Destiny Middle School | Commission | Closed in 2019 |
| Green Dot: Excel Middle School | Commission | Closed in 2019 |
| Impact Public Schools: Black River Elementary | Commission | Open |
| Impact Public Schools: Commencement Bay | Commission | Open |
| Impact Public Schools: Puget Sound Elementary | Commission | Open |
| Impact Public Schools: Salish Sea Elementary | Commission | Open |
| Innovation High School-Spokane | Spokane | Open |
| Innovation Public Charter School | Commission | Closed in 2021 |
| Lumen High School | Spokane | Open |
| Pinacles Prep | Commission | Open |
| Pullman Community Montessori | Commission | Closed July 2024 |
| Rainier Prep | Commission | Open |
| Rainier Valley Leadership Academy | Commission | Open |
| Rooted School: Vancouver | Commission | Open |
| SOAR Academy | Commission | Closed in 2019 |
| Spokane International Academy | Commission | Open |
| Summit Public Schools: Atlas | Commission | Open |
| Summit Public Schools: Olympus | Commission | Closed in 2025 |
| Summit Public Schools: Sierra | Commission | Open |
| Whatcom Intergenerational High School | Commission | Open |
| Why Not You Academy | Commission | Open |
Reports
2022-23 School Year
2021-22 School Year
2020-21 School Year
2019-20 School Year
2018-19 School Year
2017-18 School Year
2016-17 School Year
2015-16 School Year
2014-15 School Year
2014
Charter School Authorizer Application Process
Application Information
Application Timeline
| Charter Authorizer Applications | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Last date for SBE to post authorizer application online | May 15 |
| Last date for district to submit authorizer application | 30 Days Prior to Board Meeting (Renewals must be received 90 days before contract expiration). |
| Last date for SBE to approve or deny authorizer application | Next Regular Board Meeting |
| Last date for SBE and approved district to announce approval online | 10 Days Following Approval |
| Last date for SBE authorizing contract with approved district | 30 Days Following Approval |