Iowa Awards More Than $8.5 Million to Nine Charter Schools: Five New Schools to Receive Up to $1.2 Million Each
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Education announced on October 22 that nine Iowa charter schools have been awarded more than $8.5 million through the Iowa Charter School Program Grant, supporting five new charter schools and four existing ones. The funding comes from a competitive federal Charter Schools Program (CSP) grant to state entities won by the department, which totals more than $43 million over five years for Iowa.
The five new charter schools will each receive up to $1.2 million for approved start-up costs: Future Frontiers in Sumner-Fredericksburg; Great Oaks High School and Career Center in Davenport; Great Oaks High School and Career Center in South Des Moines; Horizon Science Academy in Cedar Rapids; and Red Barn School House in Crescent. Four high-performing existing charter schools will each receive $780,000 to expand: Great Oaks High School and Career Center in Des Moines, Hamburg Charter School, and Opportunity Education Network's Cedar Rapids Prep and Des Moines Prep. Nine charter schools applied for the 2026-27 school year, and all nine were awarded grants.
Governor Kim Reynolds said educational freedom empowers families to select the learning environment best suited to their children's abilities and needs, and that public charter schools give families another choice. Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow said the federal investment would help the awardees improve, innovate and grow new public education environments.
Iowa's public charter schools are tuition-free public schools that operate under a governing board and are authorized by the Iowa State Board of Education or the University of Northern Iowa. They have autonomy over mission, curriculum and instructional methods and, in return, are accountable for results, including participation in the statewide assessment system. Some offer career pathways, STEM education and programs for at-risk students. Iowa currently has 13 operating charter schools, with another four approved to open in August 2027. The fiscal year 2027 application period is now open, with applications due February 3, 2027.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于 Des Moines 的爱荷华州议会大厦（Carol M. Highsmith 摄，Wikimedia Commons，公共领域）
