Charter Schools

What Is a Charter School?

A charter school is a public school governed by an independent board that operates under a five-year charter agreement approved by the Iowa State Board of Education (State Board) or University of Northern Iowa (UNI). A charter school is designed around a specific mission, curriculum, theme and/or teaching method and has flexibility in how it operates, including decisions about its budget, staffing, and educational programming. In return for this flexibility, a charter school is accountable for meeting the goals and expectations outlined in its charter agreement and to demonstrate positive outcomes for students. All potential charter schools must complete an application to establish charter school status the year prior to operation. [Iowa Code 256E.1, 256E.4 and 256E.5]

Iowa’s charter school laws were first established in 2002 under Iowa Code 256F. On July 1, 2021, Iowa Code 256E, and related legislation established a new framework for charter schools in Iowa. Additional changes were made through House File 2754, which was signed into law on May 12, 2026. Organizations seeking authorization to establish a new charter school in Iowa must meet the requirements outlined in Iowa Code 256E. Charter schools established before July 1, 2021, continue to operate under the requirements of  Iowa Code 256F. No new charter schools may be established under chapter 256F.

Enrollment

Families interested in enrolling a student in a charter school should follow the enrollment procedures and application deadlines established by the individual charter school. Iowa's public school open enrollment process does not apply to charter school enrollment. See Authorized Charter Schools below for a current list of Iowa charter schools and a link to their website where you can find more information about each school's enrollment process. 

Authorized Charter Schools

Authorized Charter Schools List (165.23 KB) .pdf - (arranged alphabetically) All charter schools currently authorized to operate in Iowa, including each school's location, contact information, grade levels served, authorizer and key charter dates.

Performance Framework

In addition to existing state and federal accountability systems, all charter schools authorized in Iowa are monitored by the criteria included in the state performance framework. The charter school performance framework (233.1 KB) .pdf was approved by the Iowa State Board of Education on Feb. 6, 2025 and details the charter school performance standards in the areas of academics, finance and operations. The performance framework also serves as the basis in assessing the charter school during its renewal cycle, detailed below.

Renewal Cycle

Under Iowa Code 256E.10, Iowa charter schools may apply for renewal for a term of up to five years. The renewal process starts during the second-to-last year of the charter school’s contract and culminates in the authorizer’s renewal decision during November of the last year of the charter school’s current contract. Below are several key steps in the renewal process.

Renewal Process Timeline

• Performance Assessment: Evaluates the school’s academic, operational and financial performance to identify strengths, concerns and areas for improvement that inform the Renewal Performance Report.
• Site Visit: Involves a visit from the charter team to gather qualitative evidence and assess how the school implements its mission and operations in practice.
• Renewal Performance Report: Is issued by the State Board of Education or the University of Northern Iowa and synthesizes performance assessment data and site visit findings in order to identify any areas that may jeopardize renewal of the charter school contract if not remedied.
• Charter Response: Provides charter schools the opportunity to submit a written response addressing its individual Renewal Performance Report issued by the State Board.
• Charter Renewal Application: Requires the school to submit a renewal application by Oct. 1 that includes its response to the individual Renewal Performance Report issued by the State Board.
• Authorizer Decision: Determines by Dec. 1 whether to renew, renew with corrective action or revoke the charter contract based on the evidence presented.

The Renewal Process and Performance Assessment Overview (363.1 KB) .pdf provides additional details on the renewal process steps and timeline.

Application for Authorization with the Iowa State Board of Education

Any founding group may apply to establish a public charter school. If a founding group is created by a school board, the charter may be established in three ways [Iowa Code 256E.4(1)]:

1. as a new attendance center,
2. developing a new school within an existing attendance center, or
3. converting an existing attendance center to a charter. 

If a founding group is created independent of a school district, the charter may be established and operate within the boundaries of the state [Iowa Code 256E.5(1)].

Note: The Iowa State Board of Education and University of Northern Iowa are currently the two identified authorizing entities in Iowa. Once a school has applied to either organization, they will be held to the identified timelines and procedures of the respective authorizing entity. Below is information regarding the Iowa State Board of Education authorization process, supported by the Iowa Department of Education. 

Iowa State Board of Education Charter School Application Timeline: 2026-27

Deadlines are due by 11:59 p.m. on the day indicated.

1. Notice of Intent to Apply
   To ensure timeliness and the complete review of Charter School Applications, a Notice of Intent to Apply (NIA)* is due on Sept. 7, 2026. Submission of this completed form serves as the official Notice of Intent.

   Note: that this form is voluntary. Not completing the Notice of Intent to Apply does not make a potential applicant ineligible to apply; however, completing the notice supports the Department in timely and effective review of applications.

   *The NIA will be open for submissions by Aug. 10, 2026

2. Applications Released

   Note: The charter school guide and applications will be linked below on Aug. 17, 2026.

3. Application Support Webinar
   Information about the Sept. 1, 2026 Application Support Webinar is provided to any entity that completes the Notice of Intent to Apply (NIA)*.

   *The NIA will be linked by Aug. 10, 2026.

4. Applicant Office Hours
   Applicant Office Hours to address questions from potential applicants will be held in September and October. Scheduling information will be provided to any entity that completes the Notice of Intent to Apply (NIA)*.
5. Application Deadline
   Applicants must complete and submit an application that best fits the selected charter model as indicated within the appropriate application materials by Nov. 2, 2026.  If this deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a State observed holiday, the notice of intent is due on the next business day.
6. Application Review
   All applications will be reviewed by the Department to evaluate charter school readiness and capacity using criteria consistent with nationally recognized principles and standards in the following areas: Academic Programming, Operational Capacity and Financial Capacity. The Department Review Team is composed of Department staff who are experts in their respective areas, as well as external members selected based on specific area(s) of expertise as needed for a well-rounded team.
7. Public Forums and Applicant Capacity Interviews
   Each application review not only includes a thorough review of the submitted application, but also:
   1. A public forum, which is an opportunity for local residents of the public school district within which the applicant proposes to locate the charter school, to learn about and provide input on each application. Each applicant will be required to hold an in-person public forum in the desired service area and to provide specific information about the forum date, time, content and attendance to the Department.
   2. An in-person interview that will be scheduled post-review of the application materials.

Additional information about the forums and interviews is provided to applicants during the application review process.

8. State Board of Education Application Authorization
   The Department Review Team will provide a recommendation regarding approval/denial of each applicant. The Iowa State Board of Education will review the recommendations and submitted applications of each applicant. The Iowa State Board of Education will make a final decision regarding authorization for each applicant.
9. Charter School Contract Drafting
   If an applicant is authorized by the Iowa State Board of Education to be a Charter School, a contract must be on file within 30 days. Authorized charter schools are provided technical assistance in drafting a proposed charter school contract.

10. State Board of Education Contract Approval
    Contracts from approved charter school applicants will be reviewed by the Iowa State Board of Education at its February meeting. Once approved and signed, the charter school applicant will be fully authorized to begin operations in Iowa.

    Note: On May 12, 2026, HF 2754 was enacted stating that the charter school contract term of five years will begin with the budget year the school opens. Additionally, all approved charter schools will be designated to open two school years after the contract is executed, granting one school year for preparations. A charter school may open in the school year immediately following their contract approval, but it must demonstrate adequate preparation and obtain approval from their respective authorizer (Iowa State Board of Education or University of Northern Iowa).
     

Charter Finance

The Charter School Funding resource documents below summarize Iowa charter school funding provided by the Department of Education. Funding details are listed by funding source and amount, differentiating the amounts between full- or partial-year enrollment. Student reporting requirements are also identified, including the required reconciliation points and related payment months.

Charter School Funding 2025-26 (108.76 KB) .pdf

Charter School Funding 2026-27 (107.86 KB) .pdf

Reports

Charter Schools are required to submit annual reports to the State Board by Oct. 1 of each year (256E.12). The purpose of the report is to assist the state board in evaluating the charter school’s performance and compliance with the performance framework. The reports must include information regarding student achievement, including annual academic growth and proficiency, graduation rates, and financial performance and sustainability. The reports are public records, and their examination, publication, and dissemination of the reports are governed by the provisions of Chapter 22.

In turn, the State Board is required to submit an annual comprehensive report to the general assembly by Dec. 1, of each year (256E.12). The Oct. 1 charter school reports serve as a basis for the State Board report, which additionally includes the following for each charter: (a) purpose, goals and update on each stated goal, (b) mission statement, (c) attendance statistics, (d) dropout rate (e) aggregate assessment test scores, (f) projections of financial stability, (g) number and qualifications of teachers and administrators, (h) findings (compliance), and (i) recommendations whether each charter is meeting its set goals and purpose.

Annual Charter School Report Template & Guide

• Iowa Charter School Report Template (416.99 KB) .pdf
• Iowa Charter School Report Guide (416.99 KB) .pdf

Legislative Reports

• December 2025 Iowa Charter School Report

• December 2024 Iowa Charter Schools Report