FAQ
- What is a charter school?
- How is NOCCS Funded?
- How is NOCCS governed?
- Does NOCCS provide special education programs and services?
- Does NOCCS employ credentialed and "NCLB Highly Qualified" teachers?
- Is open to the public
- Tuition-free
- Is granted considerable autonomy in designing an educational program, facilities, and budget that meets the needs of its students
- Is held more strictly accountable for its increased autonomy than most non-charter public schools
- Is "chartered" to operate for a designated period of time (usually five years at a time) and is subject to renewal based on its stated student achievement and operational goals as defined in its charter
- Provides a high quality public education choice for students and families
- Enables change-oriented educators to establish and operate new, innovative practices
- Participates in state testing and other accountability measures
- Employs credentialed teachers
- Does not discriminate
For more information about charter schools, you can consult our partners at:
California Charter Schools Association
Charter Schools Development Center
Oakland Unified School District – Office of Charter Schools
- As a California charter school, NOCCS receive state and local funding in a per student allotment. This allotment is based on statewide averages, dependent on the grade level of the students.
- NOCCS also receives state and federal funding through categorical programs like Title I or class size reduction.
- A portion of our funding comes from the generous contributions from individuals and private foundations.
- Our school also raises approximately 10% of its annual budget through the tremendous fundraising efforts of the students and families in our community. We raise approximately $100,000 annually through a variety of initiatives such as the NOCCS Walk-A-Thon, Annual Fund, and Auction. To help to support out on-going fundraising efforts, click here.
Does NOCCS provide special education programs and services?
Yes. As a public school, NOCCS is required to follow federal laws pertaining to special education (e.g., Section 504, Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As such we collaborate with the Oakland Unified School District, who acts as our Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) to provide a free and appropriate education for children with special needs identified in an individualized education plan.Does NOCCS employ credentialed and "NCLB Highly Qualified" teachers?
Yes, all core subject matter teachers at NOCCS are highly qualified, credentialed teachers. The California Education Code Section 47605(l) provides that, "Teachers in charter schools shall be required to hold a Commission on Teacher Credentialing certificate, permit or other document equivalent to that which a teach in other public schools would be required to hold." In addition, the law states that "It is the intent of the Legislature that charter schools be given flexibility with regard to noncore, noncollege preparatory courses", as such some of our specialists, while they are not credentialed, have specialized education and training in their areas of expertise.