Providing innovative educational opportunities for families, AACPS  offers charter and contract school options. These schools strive for high academic standards and are accountable for student performance outcomes. Charter schools are open to applicants from across the county, with no specific boundary requirements.  Contract schools are open to applicants within specific school boundaries as determined by AACPS. 

Further, the AACPS Division of Educational Options an School Climate provides an authorizing environment that is committed to accountability and autonomy, while supporting these schools to produce positive outcomes for students and families of Anne Arundel County.

In order to guide our charter and contract school work, we have become aligned with the National Association of Charter School Authorizer’s (NACSA), Principles and Standards for Quality Charter School Authorizing. Aligning our work with these principals and standards, help ensure that we are creating an effective authorizing environment, conducive to high quality educational options.