As a City of Milwaukee charter school, Downtown Montessori Academy does not charge tuition to children who qualify under the Wisconsin charter school and Milwaukee charter school ordinance. To qualify, the child must be a city resident and at least four years of age on or before September 1st.

Downtown Montessori became a charter school in 1998.  The school is chartered by the city of Milwaukee and independent of Milwaukee Public Schools.  Before converting to a charter school, Downtown Montessori had been a choice school and before that a private Montessori school.  Downtown Montessori is one of five charter schools sponsored by the City of Milwaukee.  These schools operate independently of the school district, but are public schools.  Teachers are not members of the teachers union and don't participate in the state retirement systems.

The school in 1976 as a classic private Montessori school, offering preschool for 3-year-olds and infant daycare.  The school became a Choice school with the enactment of the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, which provides state funding to low income parents who want to send their children to private schools.  In 1998, the school applied for charter school status with the city.  Downtown Montessori is the only charter school using the Montessori Method in the city of Milwaukee.

In 2003, the City of Milwaukee approved a five-year contract renewal for DMA as one of the few remaining independent charter schools. The renewal confirms that the Academy was able to fulfill initial aspects of the program, and grow and improve during that period.

FAQ's

Q:  What is a charter school?

A:   A charter school is a self-governing public school, designed by local citizens.  A public agency would typically endorse or “charter” the school to allow more freedom and flexibility then it would through magnet status or waivers.  Charter schools have a unique curriculum approach that sets them apart from a standard public school.  A charter school may not charge tuition and it may not discriminate.

Q:  Why a charter school?

A:  A charter school allows the community to provide innovative educational opportunities to its children.  It gives the parents and guardians direct say in the substantive issues affecting their child’s education, which encourages parent involvement.

Q:  Are charter schools religious schools?

A:  No, charter schools are public schools.  They can not provide any religious instruction.

Q:  How are charter schools funded?

A:  The primary source would be from the local school district which receives tax dollars for each child it serves.  If a child attends a regular public school, the money goes to the school district.  If the child attends a charter school, then the money goes straight to the particular charter school.

Q:  Will my child be assigned to a particular charter school?

A:  No, charter schools are schools of choice and enrollment is voluntary.

Charter School Links

Listed below are links to other sites that offer information about charter schools.

	Wisconsin Charter School Association (WCSA) http://www.wicharterschools.org/home.cfm
	Charter Friends National Network www.charterfriends.org
	The Center for Education Reform  www.edreform.com
	Our Web Location For Education (O.W.L.)  www.owl.org
	National Association Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) www.charterauthorizers.org
	Thomas B. Fordham Foundation www.edexcellence.net
	U.S. Dept. of Education http://www.ed.gov