North Carolina Sees Surge in Charter School Openings

Catering to a variety of approaches

For two new charter schools in New Hanover County, Aug. 27 marked the first-ever first day of school.

Island Montessori Charter School and Douglass Academy welcomed their first students this week after going through a yearlong process to become certified charter schools. They're part of a statewide group of 25 new charter schools, which are defined as publicly funded schools with fewer regulations than traditional schools. School leaders hope what they see as their unique brands of education will attract more families to enroll.