The Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act enacted as Act No. 2015-3, was effective March 19, 2015, to provide for public charter schools as a part of the public education system of the state of Alabama.

A public charter school shall not be established in Alabama unless authorized by the Act and the rules and regulations of the Alabama State Board of Education.

According to Section 3 of this Act, the Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

• It is in the best interests of the people of Alabama to provide all children with access to high quality public schools.
• It is necessary to continue to search for ways to strengthen the academic performance of elementary and secondary public school students.
• Different students learn differently, and public schools should have the ability to customize programs to fit the needs of individual students.
• Those who know students best, parents and educators, make the best education-related decisions regarding their students.
• Parents and local educators have a right and responsibility to actively participate in the educational institutions that serve the children of Alabama.
• Public school programs, whenever possible, should be customized to fit the needs of individual children.
• Students of all backgrounds are entitled to access to a high-quality education.

• Therefore, with this act, the Legislature intends to accomplish all of the following:

1. Provide school systems and communities with additional tools that may be used to better meet the educational needs of a diverse student population.
2. Encourage innovative educational ideas that improve student learning for students at all academic levels.
3. Empower educators to be nimble and strategic in their decisions on behalf of students.
4. Provide additional high quality educational options for all students, especially students in low performing schools.
5. Create public schools with freedom and flexibility in exchange for exceptional results.
6. Foster tools and strategies to close achievement gaps between high-performing and low-performing groups of public school students.

A public charter school:

• Has autonomy over key decisions including, but not limited to decisions concerning finance, personnel, scheduling, curriculum, instruction, and procurement.
• Is governed by an independent governing board that is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
• Is established and operating under the terms of a charter contract.
• Is a school to which parents choose to send their student.
• Shall be responsible for meeting the requirements of LEAs under federal, state, and local laws, including those relating to special education.
• Charter schools provide an educational program that may include any grade or grades from prekindergarten to 12th grade.
• They may include a specific academic approach or theme.
• A charter school shall be open to any student residing in the state.
• Admission may not be based on ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, income level, disability, proficiency in English, or academic or athletic ability.
• A public charter school shall not charge tuition and may only charge such fees as may be imposed on other students attending public schools in the state.
• All public charter schools in the state established under this act are public schools and are part of the public education system of the state.

Covenant Academy of Mobile has a vested interest in creating and maintaining a positive learning environment that promotes relevant and engaging learning.  We believe the  community is ready for a “nontraditional” public school that embraces change and encourages students to reach their full potential through “hands on” learning and “real life” experiences as they prepare to be successful after graduation and beyond.

Covenant Academy of Mobile is devoted to providing an innovative program that will prepare all students to meet the demands of 21^st Century essential skills.  We believe a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) education provides students some of the crucial skills necessary to be innovative “emerging leaders” in a global society.  Inquiry, curiosity, critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity are key skills that are the foundation of a STEAM education. Our students will not only compete for jobs in the United States, but all over the world and we are the educational “doorkeeper” preparing them to enter the “real world” prepared to be “productive contributors” with core values that also make them “good” citizens.

Research has shown that students in a STEAM environment are much more prepared than students in a “traditional” classroom environment.   

Along with STEAM, the other content areas (Language Arts, Social Studies/History, etc.) will be taught as well using the same integrated approach used in the STEAM classes.  The premise is that connections can be in all subject areas where students are looking for solutions to specific problems using the inquiry process.

A STEAM environment works with all learners, those who excel in an advanced program, those who are on/below grade levels, and those who qualify for special education services. Student engagement promotes academic achievement.  It provides opportunities for teachers to check for understanding during the assigned task, conduct observations and informal assessments to make sure students understand the concept before formal assessments are administered.

No, charter schools cannot charge tuition, so like a traditional public school, they are free to attend.

No, charter schools are public schools, so they are free and open to everyone. Parents/Guardians must complete an application during the designated application period.  However, since space is limited, if more students apply than there are spaces available, a lottery system will be used and students may be placed on a waiting list until spaces become available.