The principle is simple. The term "charter school" means that the state has granted a charter or contract to a group or an organization to run a school that uses state funding to offer innovative learning opportunities with greater flexibility than traditional public schools. A charter school pledges to demonstrate satisfactory scholastic achievement in exchange for freedom from some of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. A charter school's achievement standards are generally equal to or higher than state and local standards for public schools. A particular charter school may also set other goals, such as reducing the number of dropouts or increasing the number of students who go on to college.

Please note that HISD charter schools are not in any way affiliated with other independent, state-approved, open-enrollment charter schools. Questions about those schools should be directed to the Texas Education Agency at 512-463-9575.

Click the links at right for more information.

There are two kinds of charter schools in Texas. The majority are autonomous, open-enrollment public schools operating under charters granted by the Texas State Board of Education, outside the jurisdiction of local school districts. Such open-enrollment charter schools report directly to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and are not subject to the same regulations as traditional public schools. Open-enrollment charter schools receive the same per-student state funding as local public schools, but no money for facilities or start-up costs.

Then there are HISD charter schools, which we hold to high standards. Our charter schools operate with the approval of the HISD Board of Education and within the jurisdiction of HISD. Although they are not regulated the same way as other HISD schools, they are accountable for showing measurable results in return for exemption from some of the restrictions that apply to the traditional public schools. Accountability is the key factor behind the superiority of HISD charter schools.

For more information, click the links at right.

HISD operates two types of high-accountability charter schools.

• Internal charters encompass three different types of programs:
  • Campus charters—in which an entire existing campus submitted a petition signed by the majority of parents and teachers to the HISD Board of Education to request charter status
  • Program charters—in which only a portion of an existing traditional school is chartered—a sort of “school within a school”
  • Cooperative program charters—also known as “clusters,” in which the same program is operated at multiple locations (at four campuses in the case of the single HISD cooperative charter school program)
• External charter schools are those at which an outside entity provides instruction for HISD students. The delivery of instruction is driven by a Letter of Agreement (contract) between the entity and HISD. The terms of the contract delineate every aspect of school policy and are subject to annual review. "Community-based" charters fall under this category. 

What’s the difference?

External charters are run by an outside agency or community-based organization, housed at non-HISD facilities, and staffed by non-HISD employees. HISD pays the agency (the contractor) for services provided, and these schools are under the supervision of HISD’s Department of Alternative and Charter Schools. An example of this type of charter school is the TSU Charter Lab School, which is housed at the Texas Southern University campus near downtown Houston.

Internal charters are run by HISD administrators, housed in HISD facilities, and staffed by HISD employees. The district pays each principal and teacher directly for their services. These schools are under the supervision of one of the five regional offices. An example of this type of charter is Sidney Lanier Middle School.

Both types of charter schools (internal and external) have the advantage of all the resources that HISD makes available to its other schools, including professional training, instructional materials, and a wealth of information.

Although HISD charter schools are subject to fewer restrictions than regular HISD schools, they must nevertheless comply with the same requirements for health and safety, the same guidelines for special programs (Special Education, Bilingual Education, “no pass, no play,” etc.), the same requirements of the Public Education Information Management System for reporting student data, and the same high standards for Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills testing.

For more information, click the links at right.

Parents interested in enrolling their child in an HISD charter school can obtain detailed information and an application for admission from the principal of the school or from the HISD administrative office that supervises that school. At some HISD charter schools, there is a limit on enrollment because of space constraints. When there are more applicants for a school than there are available spaces, the school holds a lottery to determine acceptance.

For more information, click the links at right.

Below is a list of all HISD charter schools and programs. External charter schools (which report to the Alternative and Charter Schools Department and have orange titles) have descriptions below. Internal charter schools (which report to various regional offices) are listed below as a courtesy to the public. Additional information on these schools must be obtained directly from the campus or the appropriate regional office.

Advanced Virtual Academy
4141 Costa Rica, Building 3 (77092-5202)
713-957-7710

The Advanced Virtual Academy opened in August 2009 on the campus of Scarborough High School. Serving students in grades 9–12, this school offers a flexible alternative to traditional education through online courses and the assistance, supervision, and support of on-site teachers. Although students can access their courses from home, attendance is taken daily at the facility.

Briarmeadow Charter School
Internal Charter (West Administrative Region)
3601 Dunvale (77063-5701)
713-458-5500

Rufus Cage Elementary Charter School
Internal Charter (East Administrative Region)
4528 Leeland (77023-3047)
713-924-1700

Challenge Early College High School (CECHS)
Internal Charter (West Administrative Region)
5601 West Loop South (770081-2221)
713-664-9712

Davy Crockett Elementary Charter School
Internal Charter (Central Administrative Region)
2112 Crockett (77007-3923)
713-802-4780

Dominion Academy
1102 Pinemont (77018-1302)
713-476-9800

Students in grades 6–8 enjoy instruction focused on business, economics, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit at this external-campus charter school, where the slogan is “Preparing the World’s Future Business Leaders.” It operates under contract with the nonprofit organization Good Gang U.S.A., Inc.

East Early College High School
Internal Charter (East Administrative Region)
2524 Garland (77087-2708)
713-847-4809

Eastwood Academy Charter High School
Internal Charter (East Administrative Region)
1315 Dumble (77023-1999)
713-924-1697

Empowerment College Preparatory
Internal Charter (South Administrative Region)
5655 Selinsky (77048-1864)
713-732-9231

Energized for Excellence
6201 Bissonnet (77081-6809)
713-773-3600

Energized for Excellence serves prekindergarten through grade 8. Real-life learning accentuates interdisciplinary activities, heterogeneous groups, thematic instruction, and flexible organization. The educational program is designed to emphasize a fine-arts curriculum.

Energized for STEM Academy
3703 Sampson (77004-4741)
713-749-8876

The Energized for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy (E-STEM) opened in August 2008 on the third floor of Jack Yates High School. It serves high-school students who are interested in participating in rigorous and challenging studies in a non-traditional setting. The E-STEM course of studies was designed for creative students who learn best through hands-on experiences and are able to use technology as a springboard to deeper understanding of their academic course work. E-STEM students will be able to earn college credits while still in high school that will prepare them for postsecondary academics as well as technical careers in a variety of fields.

Energized for STEM-West
6201 Bissonnet (77081-6809)
713-773-3600

E-STEM West opened in August 2009 to serve students in grades 6–12 who are economically challenged; underrepresented in science-, technology-, and math-related fields, including engineering; at risk of not meeting the requirements of college study; and/or first-generation college-goers. The program is part of the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (T-STEM) Academies.

Highland Heights Elementary School
Internal Charter (North Administrative Region)
865 Paul Quinn (77091-4154)
713-696-2920

High School for Business and Economic Success
6011 West Orem (77085-1273)
713-551-8800

Located alongside the Leader's Academy on the campus of Windsor Village United Methodist Church, this school opened in August 2009 and serves at-risk students in grades 7-12. During its first year of operation, the student body will come exclusively from Gulf Shores Academy, a troubled state charter school that was closed.

Hope Academy Charter
3015 North MacGregor Way (77004-7628)
832-217-3240

This school opened in August 2009 and is operated by Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church for students in grades 9-12 with economic, academic, and behavioral challenges who are at risk of not earning a high-school diploma. Hope Academy's flexible program will focus on academics, credit and learning recovery, character education, family involvement, and a culture of success leading to postsecondary education or vocational trade certifications.

Houston Academy for International Studies
Internal Charter (Central Administrative Region)
1515 Winbern (77004-3942)
713-942-3340

Inspired for Excellence North
5426 Cavalcade (77026-4023)
713-773-3600

This is one of two charter schools created in partnership with Inspired for Excellence Academy, Inc., for average at-risk middle-school students. Now serving students in the fifth- and sixth-grade levels, the school opened in August 2008, and will eventually serve grades 5–8 at locations in all quadrants of the district. The education model incorporates a mentoring program using community role models, opportunities for service-learning activities that reinforce the curriculum, and comprehensive after-school tutoring and enrichment.

Inspired for Excellence West
6333 S. Braeswood (77096-3699)
713-773-3600

This is one of two charter schools created in partnership with Inspired for Excellence Academy, Inc., for average at-risk middle-school students. Now serving students in the fifth- and sixth-grade levels, the school opened in August 2008, and will eventually serve grades 5–8 at locations in all quadrants of the district. The education model incorporates a mentoring program using community role models, opportunities for service-learning activities that reinforce the curriculum, and comprehensive after-school tutoring and enrichment.

International High School at Sharpstown
Internal Charter (West Administrative Region)
7504 Bissonnnet (77074-5502)
713-771-7215

Kaleidoscope/Caleidoscopio
Internal Charter (West Administrative Region)
5909 Glenmont (77081-2906)
713-661-1670

Kandy Stripe Academy
5310 Southlea (77033-1727)
713-734-4909

The Kandy Stripe Academy, an external-campus charter, offers a comprehensive, research-based curriculum, plus the advantages of small classes (16 or fewer students), extended class time, foreign-language instruction, an accelerated reading program, a computer lab, and a parent-education program. It serves approximately 200 youngsters in prekindergarten through grade 8.

Sidney Lanier Middle School
Internal Charter (Central Administrative Region)
2600 Woodhead (77098-1697)
713-942-1900

Leader’s Academy
6011 West Orem, Houston, Texas 77045

Leader’s Academy offers high-school students who are at risk of dropping out an innovative academic program that combines virtual school technology with direct, on-site instruction. Students benefit from access to advanced technology while having the support of a teacher in the classroom. Students at this facility are prepared for post-secondary education and the workforce.

Liberty High School
Internal Charter (West Administrative Region)
6400 Southwest Freeway, Suite A (77074-2213)
713-787-1700

Mount Carmel Academy
7155 Ashburn (77061-2611)
713-643-2008

Previously known as Mt. Carmel High School (6700 Mount Carmel St., 77087), this former parochial school became an HISD charter school in August 2008 and moved to its current location. The school now serves students in grades 9–12, offering credit courses including Advanced Placement and dual-credit courses in a small, academically challenging high-school program. The goal is to give students—including those who are in at-risk situations—access to quality, flexible, and differentiated instruction that fits the needs of students pursuing the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program.

New Aspirations Academy
7055 Beechnut (77074-6003)
713-394-3577

New Aspirations is a new credit recovery and dropout-prevention program associated with Community Education Partners (CEP). It is located at the same campus as CEP’s southwest campus and serves students in grades 9–12.

North Houston Early College High School
Internal Charter (North Administrative Region)
99 Lyerly (77022-8501)
713-696-6168

John Osborne Elementary School
Internal Charter (North Administrative Region)
800 Ringold (77088-6337)
281-405-2525

Pro-Vision Charter School
4422 Balkin (77021-4210)
713-748-0030

The Pro-Vision School is an innovative school that targets students in grades 5 through 8 who are experiencing academic difficulty, behavioral problems, or other issues that have not allowed them to achieve success in a traditional school setting.

Pro-Vision has gained valuable experience in blending social and economic empowerment education techniques with traditional school curriculums. Pro-Vision revives the “nurturing community” concept and expands upon its success in empowering youth by operating a community-based school based on lessons learned over years of community service.

The key objectives of the program are designed to provide students with the socio-educational support needed to break patterns of failure and despair and to redirect them into a pattern of long-term success. The school provides young people with an environment that is designed to be smaller and more intimate in order to respond to their individual needs. The program nurtures students in a caring, regimented environment that places an emphasis on the creation of a healthy image, ethics, moral values, and other life-management skills necessary for successful living.

Project Chrysalis
Internal Charter (East Administrative Region)
4528 Leeland (77023-3047)
713-924-1700

REACH Charter High School
Internal Charter (East Administrative Region)
520 Mercury (77013-5299)
713-675-1118

South Early College High School
Internal Charter (South Administrative Region)
3100 Cleburne (77004-4501)
713-732-9231

Texas Connections Academy at Houston
950 Threadneedle # 130 (77079-2925)
281-496-4553

Launched in December 2008 as an electronic-course pilot program, the Texas Connections Academy at Houston combines home-schooling with personalized distance learning, strong parental involvement, and traditional public education to serve students in grades 3-8.

TSU Charter Lab School
3100 Cleburne, 1st Floor (77004)
713-741-1222

This collaboration between HISD and Texas Southern University provides educational services to 130 students in grades prekindergarten to 5. Students are accepted from any area within the HISD attendance boundaries.

Vision Academy
4590 Wilmington (77051-3332)
713-748-0030

Opened in August 2009, the Vision Academy is an offshoot of the Pro-Vision School, which has been serving HISD male middle-school students for the past 13 years. The school's nontraditional program is designed to prepare male students in grades 9-12 to pursue postsecondary education or vocational trade certifications, and to serve students' families through a socio-educational program that includes parent support groups, parent training, student community-service initiatives, and community involvement.

Mabel Wesley Elementary School
Internal Charter (North Administrative Region)
800 Dillard (77091-2302)
713-696-2860

William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity (WALIPP) Preparatory Academy for Boys
3100 Cleburne (77004-2604)
713-225-1551

This external-campus charter has designed an educational plan to increase student academic success by strengthening, expanding, and linking academic programs in a “learning-hub” environment. The plan includes a design specifically for boys, assimilation of mentors into academic studies, activity-oriented lessons, a linked core curriculum, integration of technology with math and science, “hubs” as learning environments, and a student academy court system for behavior management.

WALIPP Preparatory Academy serves approximately 150 young men in grades 6–8 in southeast Houston. The targeted school population is adolescent males who would benefit from a strong academic program that stresses values, ethics, self-esteem, and commitment to the community.

McKinley C. Williams Middle School
Internal Charter (North Administrative Region)
6100 Knox (77091-4143)
713-696-2600

Young Learners
3333 Bering Drive (77057-6703)
713-784-1215

Young Learners is an external-campus charter school especially for eligible pre-kindergartners. The school utilizes developmentally appropriate practices based on principles established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The goal is to give young learners in a Head Start program the high-quality educational preparation needed to help them flourish in first grade.

Young Scholars Academy for Excellence
1809 Louisiana (77002-8013)
713-654-1400

This external-campus charter school serves students in prekindergarten through grade 5 who benefit from customized active-learning opportunities and lower student-to-teacher ratios. Its innovative instructional design employs certified, professional staff members to deliver instruction in a safe, nurturing environment. An integrated curriculum is used to promote higher-order thinking skills and develop skills in language arts, math, science, technology, social studies, foreign language, personal health and safety, and physical education.