Conversion of Public Schools Would Triple the Ranks of Virginia's Charter Schools

And create more options

Charter schools are poised to gain a much larger foothold in Virginia thanks to a plan under consideration by the Norfolk school board to transform 10 traditional public schools into charter schools over the next year.

Norfolk Superintendent Samuel King proposed his "Transformation Initiative" this spring as part of a broader plan to reform the schools district wide. His proposal would triple the number of charter schools currently operating in the state. (Virginia is home to five charter schools now, including one scheduled to open in the fall.)

The city's school board has given King the green light to keep developing the concept. In October, it will vote on official applications for each of the schools.