Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to common questions about
RISE Charter School.
General Information
A charter school is a tuition-free public school that operates independently of the local school district. It has more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods but must still meet state academic standards.
Charter schools have more freedom in curriculum choices, teaching methods, and scheduling. However, they are still held accountable for student achievement and financial management. Unlike traditional public schools, they do not receive funding for facilities.
Charter schools receive the majority of their funding from state and federal entities. Like district public schools, they are funded according to enrollment (also called average daily attendance, or ADA) and receive funding from the district and the state according to the number of students attending.
Yes! Charter schools are public schools that do not charge tuition and are open to all North Carolina residents.
RISE may feel more like a private school as a result of our smaller classroom environment and close community, but we are funded publicly and accountable to all public school laws.
No. Charter schools operate independently, but they must follow North Carolina’s state education laws.
Enrollment & Admission
Any student in North Carolina can apply to attend a charter school. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools have no district boundaries for enrollment. Families must provide proof of North Carolina residency in the application process.
Families can apply here.
If admitted through our lottery, you must submit your acceptance within 48 hours and prepare the following documents within two weeks: your child’s birth certificate, parent ID, proof of residency, and health and immunization records.
No. Charter schools cannot have admission requirements, entrance exams, or selective enrollment. If more students apply than there are available seats, the school must hold a lottery to determine who gets in.
No, charter schools are 100% tuition-free because they are public schools.
Yes, charter schools can give priority to:
- Siblings of current students
- Children of school staff members
- Students who were previously enrolled in the charter school
Each charter school has its own application period, typically beginning in the fall or winter for the following school year. The exact dates vary by year, but applications usually open in October and close at the end of September the following year. Check our website for specific dates and deadlines.
The 2025-2026 lottery for RISE admission took place on March 26, 2025.
Get Involved
If the school is hosting a special event, you will be notified via TalkingPoints or the Eagle’s Nest. If you're interested in volunteering, please visit our website and click on the volunteer tab to sign up for the event you'd like to support. In that notification, it will identify who is leading the event and what help the school needs. Please reach out to that point of contact to indicate your interest in volunteering.
To visit or volunteer in your scholar’s class, please reach out directly to the teacher to schedule a time. All visitors and volunteers to classrooms must be approved by the teacher 24 hours in advance.
Please see this link for the full process for visiting and volunteering at the school. All visitors and volunteers must enter through the front doors and pass a sex offender check performed at the front office.
Of course! All board meetings are open to the public. Information about meeting dates and times is on our website.
All families are automatically connected to their scholars’ teachers in TalkingPoints. After downloading the app on your phone, you will have access to message any teacher that your scholar has throughout the day. You can also find the emails for staff members on our website.
Please allow 48 business hours for a staff member to respond to any questions or concerns. Teachers' main priorities throughout the day are to ensure that scholars are safe and focused on learning. After 48 business hours, if you have not received a response, feel free to contact the teacher again.
Please see this link for our grievance process.
Academics & Curriculum
Charter schools must meet state academic standards, but they have flexibility in how they teach. Some schools focus on STEM, the arts, language immersion, project-based learning, or other specialties.
Yes, charter school students take the same state-required End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) tests as traditional public school students.
At least 50% of core subject teachers at a charter school must be state-certified, and all teachers must meet federal and state qualifications.
Yes! Charter schools must follow federal special education laws (IDEA & Section 504) and provide services for students with disabilities.
Unlike our District counterparts, the level of Special Education services is limited as Charter funding is more limited than within the Districts.
Accountability & Oversight
Charter schools must meet academic, financial, and operational requirements set by the state. They are reviewed by the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and can be closed for poor performance or financial mismanagement.
Charter schools are operated by nonprofit governing boards, not school districts.
Yes. The NC State Board of Education can revoke a charter school if it does not meet state standards, fails financially, or violates its charter agreement.
Transportation & Meals
RISE does provide transportation to satellite stops to provide more equal access to a great education.
The cost of this service is significant and consumes 5-8% of our budget in any given year. RISE operates 4-5 routes yearly and maintains a bus waitlist for full buses. Please check our route map for currently available stops.
Most charter schools do NOT provide bus transportation, and families are required to arrange their own transportation.
RISE provides free breakfast and lunch daily to ensure equal access to a great education. We participate in the National School Lunch Program, offering free or reduced-price meals to 100% of our scholars.
Charter schools are not required to provide meals and often require students to bring their own meals.
Other Common Questions
Yes! Charter school enrollment is completely voluntary, and students can return to their local district school at any time.
Yes! Many charter schools encourage parent involvement through volunteering, PTA/PTO groups, and governance boards. Some schools require a certain number of volunteer hours per year.
- Visit the NC Office of Charter Schools.
- Contact individual charter schools to ask about their policies.
Myths About Charter Schools
FACT: Charter schools are tuition-free public schools open to all students in North Carolina. Unlike private schools, they receive public funding and must meet state academic requirements.
FACT: Charter schools must accept all students who apply. If there are more applicants than available seats, they must hold a random lottery to determine enrollment. They cannot discriminate based on academic ability, race, income, or other factors.
FACT: Charter schools serve students of all abilities, including those with learning differences, disabilities, and English language learners. They must follow federal special education laws (IDEA and Section 504) and provide services for students with disabilities.
FACT: Charter school students take the same state-mandated End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) tests as traditional public school students. Their academic performance is monitored by the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).
FACT: North Carolina requires at least 50% of a charter school’s core subject teachers to be state-certified. All teachers must meet state and federal qualifications.
FACT: Charter schools are public schools and receive funding based on student enrollment, just like district schools. They do not take extra funding from traditional schools; rather, funding follows the student.
FACT: Charter schools must serve students with disabilities and follow all federal special education laws. They provide Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans, just like traditional public schools.
FACT: The NC State Board of Education and the Office of Charter Schools hold charter schools to strict academic, financial, and operational standards. Schools that fail to meet these standards can have their charters revoked and closed.
FACT: Some charter schools provide bus transportation and school meal programs, but it varies by school. Many participate in the National School Lunch Program to offer free and reduced-price meals. Parents should check with individual schools.
FACT: Students can return to a district school at any time if a charter school isn’t the right fit. Enrollment in a charter school is completely voluntary.