Arizona Revised Statutes

Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-181 (2026)

Charter schools; purpose; scope

✓ current as of May 2026

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A. Charter schools may be established pursuant to this article to provide a learning environment that will improve pupil achievement. Charter schools provide additional academic choices for parents and pupils. Charter schools may consist of new schools or all or any portion of an existing school. Charter schools are public schools that serve as alternatives to traditional public schools and charter schools are not subject to the requirements of article XI, section 1, Constitution of Arizona, or title 41, chapter 56.

B. Charter schools shall comply with all provisions of this article in order to receive state funding as prescribed in section 15-185.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 13 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1998–2024 · leading case: Kotterman v. Killian, 972 P.2d 606 (Ariz. 1999).

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Kotterman v. Killian, 972 P.2d 606 (Ariz. 1999). · cites it 6× “, A.R.S. § 15-181 (1994) (establishing charter schools in order to “provide additional academic choices for parents and pupils”); A.”

Shelby Sch. v. Arizona State Bd. of Educ., 962 P.2d 230 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 7× “Laws S-17, S-17 to S-24, which added A.R.S. §§ 15-181 to 15-189. A charter school is a public school that operates under a charter contract between a sponsor, which may be a school district governing board, the State Board of Education, or the State Board for Charter Schools,…”

Monroe v. Basis Sch., Inc., 318 P.3d 871 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 4× “See A.R.S. §§ 15-181 through 15-189. Our legislature differentiates charter schools from traditional public schools, but still requires compliance with certain rules and regulations, as reflected in the relevant portions of A.”

Green v. Garriott, 212 P.3d 96 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 4× “, A.R.S. § 15-181 (2002) (creating charter schools "as alternatives to traditional public schools"); A.”

Fisher v. Tucson Unified Sch. Dist., 329 F. Supp. 3d 883 (D. Ariz. 2018). · cites it 3× “§ 15-816 et seq , with charter and out-of-District schools competing for student enrollment, A.R.S. § 15-181 et seq . Given today's choices, student assignment strategies aimed at remediating segregation are more limited, less direct, and less effective.”

Foreman v. Chester-Upland Sch. Dist., 941 A.2d 108 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2008). “application procedures and the essential elements for the contract, including, inter alia, educational requirements, statement of funding allocation from the local school board and costs assignable to the program budget, location and description of charter school facility,…”

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Cmty. Sch. v. State, 23 P.3d 103 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 2× “See A.R.S. §§ 15-181 to -189.03 (Supp.2000). ¶ 23 Plaintiffs rely upon Arizona Attorney General Opinion 195-10 as authority for their argument that charter schools are political subdivisions of the state.”

Winn v. Hibbs, 361 F. Supp. 2d 1117 (D. Ariz. 2005). · cites it 2× “As amended, this tax credit allows any Arizona taxpayer to receive up to a $200 tax credit 7 for fees paid or cash contributions made to public schools for extracurricular activities or character education.”

Craven v. Huppenthal, 338 P.3d 324 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 2× “Charter schools are intended to offer “additional academic choices for parents and pupils” and to “serve as alternatives to traditional public schools.”

Founding Fathers v. Asbcs (Ariz. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 2× “¶20 Nor does the record support Founding Fathers’ contention that the Framework makes test scores “the sole criteria for revocation,” in contravention of A.R.S. § 15-181. In making its revocation decision, the Board considered far more than test scores.”

Legacy Educ. v. Asbcs (Ariz. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “” A.R.S. § 15-181(A). Applicants seeking to establish a charter school must apply to and contract with an authorized sponsor.”

Divine Grace Yoga Ashram Inc. v. Yavapai, Cnty. of (D. Ariz. 2022). · cites it 2× “11 Defendant agrees with Plaintiff that, as a matter of Arizona law, Arizona public and 12 charter schools are not subject to zoning ordinances.”

Show all 13 citing cases →

— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-181(A) — 6 cases

Kotterman v. Killian, 972 P.2d 606 (Ariz. 1999). “, A.R.S. § 15-181 (1994) (establishing charter schools in order to “provide additional academic choices for parents and pupils”); A.”

Monroe v. Basis Sch., Inc., 318 P.3d 871 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2014). “See A.R.S. §§ 15-181 through 15-189. Our legislature differentiates charter schools from traditional public schools, but still requires compliance with certain rules and regulations, as reflected in the relevant portions of A.”

Shelby Sch. v. Arizona State Bd. of Educ., 962 P.2d 230 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1998). “Laws S-17, S-17 to S-24, which added A.R.S. §§ 15-181 to 15-189. A charter school is a public school that operates under a charter contract between a sponsor, which may be a school district governing board, the State Board of Education, or the State Board for Charter Schools,…”

Legacy Educ. v. Asbcs (Ariz. Ct. App. 2018). “” A.R.S. § 15-181(A). Applicants seeking to establish a charter school must apply to and contract with an authorized sponsor.”

Divine Grace Yoga Ashram Inc. v. Yavapai, Cnty. of (D. Ariz. 2022). “11 Defendant agrees with Plaintiff that, as a matter of Arizona law, Arizona public and 12 charter schools are not subject to zoning ordinances.”

— Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-181(B) — 1 case

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