Charters head west — 58 independent schools open doors this year

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.