Our mission is to collaborate with the educational community to offer exceptional academic programs through charter education. Our first initiative is the establishment of Carroll Classical Charter School, a tuition-free charter school aimed at providing a high-quality, classical education to local students.
Our Story
The Carroll Learning Alliance was founded by a passionate group of parents determined to bring more educational options to our community. Our mission is to expand public education choices that empower families to find the best fit for their children.
Across Maryland, charter schools are making a meaningful impact in counties like Frederick, where classical charter schools are thriving. Inspired by their success, we are eager to bring similar opportunities to Carroll County. Our goal is to introduce classical and Montessori charter schools, offering parents and students new pathways that embrace diverse learning philosophies.
We believe in the power of community and are excited to invite you to join us on this journey. This is not just about expanding options for our families—it’s about providing choices for anyone who seeks a different approach to education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are charter schools?
Charter schools are public schools that offer parents the opportunity to pick a school that best fits the needs of their child. There is never a cost to attend and they are open to all students regardless of their school zoning. Charter schools make decisions close to the students, empowering teachers to provide innovative, high-quality instruction and giving them the autonomy to design a classroom that fits their students’ needs. Charter schools are led by principals who have the flexibility to create a school culture that best fits the needs and demands of their surrounding community. Charter schools are obligated to meet performance standards and are held accountable by their communities and authorizers. (National Alliance for Public Charter School, 2024)
How are charter schools financed?
Charter schools are funded by public dollars, the same as any other public school; however, they generally receive fewer dollars per pupil than district schools. Though there are year-to-year fluctuations, the average charter school receives 75 cents for every dollar the average district school receives.
In the most recent year of available data (2017-18 school year), the average charter school received approximately $2,730 less per student than the average district school. Per-pupil funding in charter schools is less than per-pupil funding in 24 of the 27 states for which we have data. Learn more at data.publiccharters.org. (National Alliance for Public Charter School, 2024)
Do charter schools take money from public schools?
No. Charter schools are public schools. They are unique public schools that are independently operated and are still part of the public education ecosystem, rather than entities that divert funding from this ecosystem. Public schools—both district and charter—have three primary sources of funding: federal, state, and local. Please see the National Alliance’s data dashboard for more information: data.publiccharters.org. (National Alliance for Public Charter School, 2024)
How does a child qualify for enrollment at a charter school?
Charter schools do not have admission requirements or entrance exams. Most charter schools have an enrollment period when parents can submit applications for the school. If there are more applications submitted than seats available, a randomized blind lottery will be held to determine which students are admitted or may preference students by need or location. (National Alliance for Public Charter School, 2024)
Are charter schools better than other public schools?
There are exceptional public schools of both types–district and charter. Charter schools provide a high-quality education option to public school students whose families are looking for something different, while upholding high standards that meet and often exceed district or state requirements. Each of the more than 7,700 charter schools is unique—both inside and out. Some may focus on college prep, some follow a Montessori curriculum, and others integrate the arts into each subject. (National Alliance for Public Charter School, 2024)