The Idaho Public Charter School Commission was founded in 2004 during an overhaul of the state’s laws surrounding charter schools.

As of August 2026, the commission authorized 67 schools, including four that have yet to open. Seven were virtual. There are 85 charter schools in the state, meaning the commission authorizes 79% of Idaho charters. The rest are authorized by school districts.

 

What does the commission do?

The commission authorizes and oversees most charter schools in the state. This includes authorizing schools to open and monitoring their financial, operational and academic success.

 

How does the commission authorize a new school?

The authorization process starts when a group hoping to found a new school contacts charter commission staff. Typically, that group includes the school’s founding board, which must establish a nonprofit corporation and establish 501(c)(3) status to apply. People interested in founding a charter school can take the Idaho Department of Education’s Charter 101 course.(opens in new tab)

The founding group works with commission staff to submit an application packet that includes financial planning, school model information and evidence of student demand.

The group then presents to the full commission, which can vote to authorize or deny the application.

The commission has only denied a handful of applications (opens in new tab)over the last two decades, at least two received approval at a later date.

Before opening, schools have a series of conditions to meet and have monthly meetings with commission staff to work toward completing pre-opening steps.

The school’s governing board operates the school independently under its charter, subject to commission oversight.

Schools are initially authorized for six years under a traditional charter. Schools authorized under the 2024 innovative charter law(opens in new tab) are authorized for three years.

The commission meets every other month, typically in Boise.

 

How does the commission hold existing schools accountable?

The commission has standards that schools must meet related to finances, test scores and graduation rates, among other things.

If a school meets those requirements, they continue operating with little commission interaction for their term.

Schools that fail to meet a condition typically have a year to meet the metric. If they don’t, the commission can start proceedings to revoke the schools charter.

However, a revocation has happened twice. Odyssey Charter School (opens in new tab)closed in 2015 and Nampa Classical Charter School(opens in new tab) closed in 2010, both shortly after opening. Another Choice, a virtual school, had its charter non-renewed in 2022 (opens in new tab)and was subsequently forced to close.

Schools in good standing with the commission can have their charter renewed for 12 years if they meet certain criteria. Renewals can also be for a six year term.

 

Who serves on the commission?

The commission is made up of seven members appointed by the Governor. Commission staff handles the day-to-day work of supporting the commission and helping with charter oversight.

 

Who makes up the commission staff?

The commission faced significant staff turnover in recent years.

Rachel Burk was hired in August 2025(opens in new tab) as executive director.

She filled a series of staff vacancies. The commission currently has two program managers, a finance program manager and an administrative assistant on staff.

 

What is the charter commission’s annual budget?

The commission has a budget of $742,400 for the 2026 fiscal year.

Read more out the commission’s spending at Transparent Idaho.(opens in new tab)

 

How are commission charter schools funded?

Charter schools authorized by the commission receive funds the same way as all other charter schools: through the state’s more than 30 year old K-12 funding formula.

Charter schools are public schools and receive state funds. However, unlike a traditional public school district, charter schools cannot tax local communities. This means charters do not have supplemental levy funding or local school facility funds.

On average, commission-authorized charter schools spent $11,035 per pupil during the 2025-26 school year, compared to the state average of $13,666