Charter Schools

Charter School Office

The University of Wisconsin–Parkside Charter School Office plays a vital role in expanding access to high-quality public education. Rooted in the Wisconsin Idea, our office extends the university’s impact beyond campus by supporting innovative K–12 learning environments that meet community needs and promote student success.

Our History

UW–Parkside became a charter school authorizer in 2002, when it partnered with the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents to authorize 21st Century Preparatory School, a 4K–8 independent public charter school in Racine, Wisconsin. Our work is guided by best practices from the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) and Wisconsin state law.

What is a Public Charter School?

Charter schools are public schools that offer innovative K-12 programming in exchange for flexibility regarding state laws regulating schools. A charter school is created through a contract between an independent charter governance board and an authorizer. Charter schools are held accountable by their authorizer for the performance goals and other programmatic, operational, and financial provisions in the charter contract. The charter school’s governing board is autonomous and controls staffing, programming, budgeting, and all other aspects of the charter school’s operation.

What We Do

As a charter school authorizer, UW–Parkside:

• Reviews and approves charter school applications
• Establishes performance expectations
• Monitors academic and operational outcomes
• Determines renewal or closure based on contract compliance
• Works individually with charter schools to identify appropriate ways to support them within the authorizer-charter school relationship 

We are dedicated to ensuring that every school we authorize delivers meaningful learning experiences and equitable outcomes for all students.

Our Authorized School: 21st Century Preparatory School

Located in Racine, WI, this 4K–8 charter school was founded in 2002 and is governed by Racine Charter One, Inc., a nonprofit organization. The mission of 21st Century Preparatory School is "to prepare diverse children for access to the full array of life choices, including college and careers that develop their leadership competency.  The school takes Individual differences seriously and crafts practices that serve each child equally well. We mold our future leaders through selfless caring for their success."