New charter schools opening on Wasatch Front

Nearly 40 charter schools will be operating this fall with more than 10 others waiting in the wings for the go-ahead to start next year.

As the public warms up to the idea of charter schools more and more people are jumping onboard — be it sending their children to charters or starting their own.

Charter schools are public schools that focus on various academic disciplines, such as arts or sciences, and are often run by parents. They must abide by state requirements, from testing to core curriculum use, but have some freedom for teaching innovations.

"There is just a tremendous amount of interest, because so far charters have a successful record," said John Broberg, state charter school director. "We have a lot of over-crowded schools in this state, and many (charter schools) are coming from those places — people also like the idea have having a school specifically geared to a certain area."

Utah's charters offer a variety of interests from the math, engineering and science schools to film and art schools. Some schools like East Hollywood High even attract students from out of state.

Many charter schools on the elementary levels are geared toward creative, individualized learning while secondary charters schools often target under-served populations and focus on college preparation. But most of all of them offer smaller class sizes.

Schools like the six New Century high-tech high schools provide a way for students to earn an associate's degree by the time they graduate from high school.

Charter schools have only been in Utah since 1999 and are now in 19 of the states 40 school districts. Leaders project over 10,000 students will be enrolled in charters this fall.

Since the creation of the State Charter School Board, a board that oversees charter issues and operates under the state school board, 11 new schools have been approved.

A total of 39 charter schools will be in operation this fall while leaders estimate close to a dozen will get the nod to start fall 2006.

To keep up with charter school growth, state lawmakers have funded two new staff members in the charter office to help new schools get their financial plans in place as well as help with grant writing.

Schools new on the scene this fall include: