A charter school is a public school that may provide instruction in grades kindergarten through 12. Charter schools are usually created and organized by community leaders or community-based organizations, a group of parents, or teachers. A charter school can be authorized by a local school district board, county board of education, or the state board of education.

It is the objective of the Alameda County Board of Education that teachers, parents, pupils and community members may petition the Board to approve a countywide charter school, and that the Board shall review such petitions in accordance with the letter and spirit of the law. The Board also reviews petitions denied by the Governing Board of a school district and subsequently submitted to the Alameda County Office of Education.

Charter schools shall operate under the provisions of their charters, specific state and/or federal laws, Title 5, California Code of Regulations adopted by the State Board of Education, and general oversight of and agreements made with the authorizer.

An initial school charter can be granted for up to five years. During its term, the school must meet all the student performance and operational goals listed in its charter, or the charter may be revoked.