In 2003, the state created a 10-year pilot program authorizing the state Board of Education to grant up to 20 applications during that period. The state used a federal charter school start-up grant to help schools with facilities other than opening costs.

As of the fall 2009, 15 of 16 applications have been authorized. Eleven schools are still open. Among them are the Virtual Learning Academy, which provides online course opportunities for high school students across the state.

The Academy for Science and Design has grown every year since opening. It plans to add a sixth grade to its current grades of 7 through 12, and increase enrollment to 190 kids next year, almost double the current figure.

Charter schools are open to all New Hampshire students. The state was providing charter schools with $5,500 per student during the 2009-10 school year. That figure is less than half of the state’s reported average per-pupil cost for 2008-09 of $11,745.55.

For the rest of the article, go to Bill lifting charter school cap passes