Public Charter Schools

Giving every family access to high-quality public school options

tudents in Washington state have big aspirations. Nearly 90% of high school students want to pursue a postsecondary education after graduation, but only about half currently reach that goal. We need to change that.

Why this matters

Every student in Washington state deserves access to a public education that puts them on a path to a successful future, but one size does not fit all when it comes to school environments and programs. Washington’s charter schools provide another public school option for families and students.

Our commitment

We’re working with partners across Washington to ensure that every student can find a public school that meets their needs, interests, and backgrounds. An education sector where schools, educators, and communities collaborate to support one another ensures every student has the opportunity to thrive.

The good news: Charter schools are delivering results

In Washington state, thanks to the work of our partners, students attending charter schools are seeing meaningful academic gains, particularly students who have historically faced the greatest barriers to opportunity.

Black and Latino students, and students from low-income backgrounds, attended charter schools and outperformed their district public school peers in all tested subjects during the last three school years.

On 2025 state tests, Black students in charter schools have a proficiency rate 16 points higher in English and 19 points higher in math than district peers. For Latino students, it was 10 points higher in English and 14 points in math.

What we’re doing

We provide funding to help ensure Washington state’s public charter schools continue to deliver proven results, are held to high standards, and are built around the strengths and needs of our students and communities.

Technical assistance for school leaders

We provide funding to Excellent Schools Washington, the statewide organization that provides technical assistance to school leaders who oversee the day-to-day operations of the public charter schools.

Investing in charter school sustainability

We support the Washington State Charter Schools Association, an advocacy organization that works to ensure that public charter schools in Washington state have access to long-term equitable funding so they can continue to meet students’ needs.