What is a Charter School?
Charter Schools are schools of choice for students and their families, as well as for teachers. Parents and students get to choose to enroll in a school that may offer a unique learning environment, such as a school whose science classes are conducted in the field, or offer alternative learning methodologies, such as a specialization in arts education. Teachers and administrators have more authority to make decisions than most traditional public schools. Basically, these schools are free from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools.
Source: Public School Review
WHEA as a Charter School
WHEA was among Hawaii's first approved charter schools in 2000. The State Public Charter School Commission monitors and ensures that the school's educational approaches meet or exceed the Department of Education's standards and requirements. The school has also been continuously accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since 2002.
Charter Contract
Charters are granted for a particular period of time, usually for three to five years, which are renewed after the end of the term by the granting entity if performance targets are achieved. A charter is a performance contract that provides details about that school’s mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success – a business plan so to speak. These schools are under constant pressure to perform well, as they are accountable to their sponsor, usually a state or local school board, for good academic results. The charter school administration must adhere to its charter contract, but charter schools enjoy greater autonomy in return for accountability. Instead of being asked to comply with various rules and regulations, they are measured on the yardstick of academic results and adherence to their charter.
Source: Public School Review
WHEA's Charter School Contract