Authorizer

What is a charter school?
Charter schools are tuition-free, public schools. By law, charter schools are free and open to any student in the state of Minnesota. They are governed and operated jointly by licensed teachers, parents, and community members.

Charter schools operate on three basic principles: accountability, choice, and autonomy. Charter schools are accountable to improve student learning and remain fiscally solvent. Charter law provides that families should be able to choose what public school is best for their child. Charter school autonomy empowers teachers and parents to realize an educational vision at the school site.

Find out more about charter schools at the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools website.

What is an authorizer?
An authorizer is an organization which is approved by the Minnesota Department of Education to authorize charter schools in the state of Minnesota. All charter schools in Minnesota are required to have an authorizer. An authorizer grants the original charter allowing the school to open and operate, continually monitors and evaluates the school’s performance, and–based on the school’s performance–determines whether or not to renew the charter over time.

Who is Academia Cesar Chavez’s authorizer?
Academia Cesar Chavez’s Authorizer is the University of St. Thomas. The mission of the University of St. Thomas Charter Authorizing Program is to advance the common good by using quality authorizing practices and cross-sector university expertise to oversee and promote the health of charter schools that demonstrably assist students in reaching their full academic and human potential.  The tenets UST seeks and highlights in its charter schools include:

●        Education that Promotes Moral Responsibility
●        Education That Promotes Critical Thinking
●        Education that Promotes Wise Action
●        Education that Promotes Skillful Work
●        Education that Advances the Common Good

University of St. Thomas Charter Authorizing Program

Teresa Moffat

Charter School Liaison
1000 LaSalle Ave, Opus Hall 217, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Phone: (651) 962-4386
Email: tmoffatt@stthomas.edu