Arizona Secures $34.8 Million to Transform Charter Schools with New Builds and Upgrades

By Matthew Holloway |

A significant boost to Arizona’s charter schools is on the horizon, courtesy of a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education, slated to support the creation of 24 new charter schools and enhance 23 existing institutions.

According to The Center Square, Arizona will receive approximately 24% of the $143 million allocated nationwide through the Expanding Opportunities Through Quality Charter Schools Program. This translates to around $34.8 million, which will be disbursed annually from fiscal 2024 through 2029.

Tom Horne, Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, expressed his enthusiasm in a press release from the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), stating, “I am extremely pleased that we have received this federal grant that will create 24 new high-quality charter schools and help another 23 existing schools with models and practices that result in academic growth.” He highlighted the department’s competitive efforts in securing this funding, noting Arizona is the largest recipient of the grant on a per capita basis.

Horne emphasized Arizona’s leadership in school choice, remarking, “These dollars will serve a vital purpose in making sure that an estimated 10,000 students in traditionally underserved areas will have a chance to select a high-quality charter school.” He reinforced the importance of this opportunity for every student, regardless of their background.

In a conversation with AZ Capitol Times, Horne reflected on Arizona’s history with charter schools, which date back to the 1990s. He indicated that, during his tenure as a state legislator, he championed the development of charter schools to provide parents with greater educational options. “Even a good district school may not necessarily meet the needs of all the students,” he stated.

ADE’s release outlined that the initiative aims to increase the number of high-quality charter schools tailored for educationally disadvantaged students, identifying them by factors such as economic hardship, disabilities, and language barriers.

The grant’s objectives include closing achievement gaps in academic performance and enhancing teaching practices through technical assistance. The anticipated outcome is for students to achieve significant academic growth in math, reading, and language arts over a three-year period, with specific targets set for state test scores.

Currently, Arizona hosts around 560 charter schools, serving approximately 231,000 students, as reported by the Arizona Charter Schools Association. Under state law, these charter schools operate on an open enrollment basis, contributing to their widespread popularity. Notably, states like California, Colorado, New York, Utah, and Rhode Island are also set to receive similar federal funding in 2024.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.