Allegiance STEAM Academy Thrive

Allegiance STEAM Acacemy is a tuition-free public charter school serving our community’s TK–8 students. As a public school, ASA follows all state education laws while offering a unique STEAM-focused program. Below we dispel common misconceptions about charter schools – and share facts to set the record straight – followed by an explanation of our upcoming charter renewal.

Common Myths About Charter Schools (and the Facts)
Myth: “Charter schools are private or for-profit schools.”
Fact: Charter schools are public schools.

They are tuition-free, open to all students, and funded by taxpayers just like traditional public schoolscsdcwebapps.org. In California, 100% of charter schools are required by law to be run by nonprofit organizations (no for-profit charter schools are allowed). ASA operates under a nonprofit public school model – we exist to serve students, not to make profit.

Myth: “Charter schools take money away from other public schools.”
Fact: Public funding follows the student in California’s education system.

When a child enrolls in a charter like ASA, the public education funds for that student simply go to our school instead of a district school. There is no “extra” cost or loss of funds to the system – charter schools are public schools. In fact, charter schools often receive less funding per student than district schools serving the same community, and charters must pay an oversight fee to their authorizing school districtlaalliance.org. Despite operating with tighter budgets, we make efficient use of resources to provide a high-quality education.

Myth: “Charter schools aren’t accountable and can do whatever they want.”
Fact: Charter schools are held to strict accountability standards.

We must meet academic, financial, and operational benchmarks outlined in our charter agreement, and we undergo regular oversight by our public authorizer (usually the local school board). Charter schools are required to follow state curriculum standards, administer the same state tests, and hire credentialed teachers just like other public schools. In addition, our school’s board meetings are open to the public and we submit annual reports (like the LCAP accountability plan) to ensure transparency. Each charter school operates under a performance contract (“charter”) that comes up for renewal every few years – if a charter school fails to meet its goals, it can be not renewed or even closed. Bottom line: ASA must deliver on its promises to stay open, and we take that responsibility seriously.

Myth: “Charter schools only accept the best students and leave out everyone else.”
Fact: Charter schools cannot pick and choose students.

We are open to all students, regardless of ability or background, and we do not have entrance exams or admission requirements. If more students apply than there are seats available, we are required by law to hold a public lottery for admission – no one gets in based on favoritism or “cream of the crop” selection. In reality, charter schools serve a wide range of students. Many families choose charters because their children were not thriving in traditional schools. Charter schools in California educate students from all backgrounds, and their student demographics closely mirror those of other public schools. Research shows charters serve many students who have been historically underserved or considered at-risk, helping them succeed where the conventional system wasn’t meeting their needs. ASA is proud to serve a diverse student population and to give every child an opportunity to thrive.

Myth: “Charter schools don’t serve students with special needs or English learners.”
Fact: Charter schools are committed to serving all learners, including students with disabilities and English language learners.

By law, charter schools must provide special education services and accommodations just like any other public school. In practice, our smaller size and flexibility often allow charter schools to innovate and tailor programs for students with unique needs. For example, ASA provides resource specialists and support services for students with IEPs, and we offer English language development for our English learners. Charter schools enroll comparable percentages of special education students as traditional public schools – in Los Angeles, for instance, charters serve a similar proportion of students with special needs as the district. Every child at ASA matters, and we strive to help all students succeed, no matter their needs.

Understanding Charter Renewal (What Does “Renewal” Mean?)
Every charter school in California operates on a term of up to five years (high-performing schools can get up to seven) and then must go through charter renewal. A charter renewal is basically a check-up or report card for the school. The school’s authorizer – usually the local public school board – reviews how the charter school has been performing academically, financially, and operationally. If the school is meeting its goals and following all rules, the authorizer renews the charter for another multi-year term. This process is an important accountability measure written into state law, ensuring charter schools continue to provide a high-quality education in exchange for the flexibility we’re given.

What does this mean for ASA? Our current charter terms run through June 2027 (Fontana) and June 2028 (Chino). We plan to submit our renewal petition to our authorizer in December 2026 (Fontana) and December 2027 (Chino). This petition will include evidence of our success over the past charter term – such as student achievement results, growth data, and program highlights – to demonstrate that ASA is meeting and exceeding its commitments to our students. The school board will review our results and decide whether to renew our charter for another term. We are confident that with our strong track record – and the ongoing support of our families and community – ASA will earn a full renewal.

For our ASA families, charter renewal is a normal periodic process that ensures your school is on track. ASA is subject to regular oversight and must continually prove its value to remain open. We’re proud of the quality education we provide and look forward to continuing to serve your children for years to come!