My daughter started Kindergarten at a charter school and she has learned a lot. She is now in 7th grade. I work at her school and may be able to help you with your questions.
The pro's of a charter school are a tight knit school community, a lot of parental involvement, a school willing to listen to your concerns, the staff will know you and your child, and having a choice in your child's education.
Some cons: More involvement is expected of the parents, younger and less experienced teachers in the beginning, less money, and fewer class and activity choices at the middle school level. There are quite a number of charter schools in Colorado. Look for one that you think will fit your children. Also, if you don't mind driving a little further, look at the charters in other districts. There are many out there, some good, some not so good. Since you're looking at a new charter school, they won't have a track record on testing. Find what programs they will be using. Research them. Ask questions specific to the curriculum and how it will fit your child. If he is ahead or behind how will they accomodate his needs. One other thing, any school that you would remotely consider sending your child to, get his name on the list now. Some use a lottery system and some do first come, first served.
bump
Excellent overview of the pros and cons of charter schools, Betty Jane.
My two oldest sons go to a charter school, and my experience is much as you described.
Parental involvement is mandatory at my son's school: the parents have to perform a minimum of 20 documented volunteer hours per school year. If they don't do it, their children are not allowed to return the following year. Children who are serious discipline problems are not allowed to return the following year. There are strict policies on absences, tardies, and uniforms, and failure to follow them results in your child not being allowed to return the following year.
Because the charter school doesn't get as much money per pupil as the public schools, we do have *constant* fundraisers, though.
Now that the school is established (in its sixth year of operation) it is having an easier time getting experienced teachers. I think that the pay may be a little lower than the local public schools, but many teachers find it worth the lower income to be able to *teach* and to have parents who are involved and supportive.
My oldest son's teacher is a very experienced teacher who just moved to our area; her prior experience is entirely in public schools. She positively gushes about the parental involvement and help, the smaller class sizes, and especially the manners and attitudes of the kids.
I have often said that the very best thing about this school is that every child there wants to learn. (The ones with bad attitudes generally get weeded out quickly by the tough disciplinary policies.) As a result, the school is able to employ a more demanding curriculum and the vast majority of the kids succeed at it.
Last year 96% of the school's third graders passed the reading portion of the FCAT (Florida's state-mandated assessment test, which kids must pass to be promoted to fourth grade.) I believe 94% passed the math portion. Needless to say, those pass rates are far above the state and school district averages.
On the other hand, I have seen shoddy charter schools - just as there are shoddy public schools, and shoddy private schools. As a parent, you must do your homework - thoroughly research any school you are considering sending your child to!