Issue: Education
Topic: Charter Schools
Case Date: January 14, 2014

Public Advocates researched 555 charter schools in California and found that almost one-third of them (30%) require parents to do work at the school for a set quota of hours. This practice is illegal under the California constitution and the Education Code. In our report, we expose the extent of the practice and explain why it is illegal. We have sent a demand letter to the California Department of Education and the State Board of Education urging them to take immediate steps to abolish the practice. Below, we provide a list of all the charter schools we found that have such a practice, with a link to their policy documents.

Note: The policy statements discussed in the report were available publicly as of Nov. 20, 2014, when this report was released. Some charter schools may have changed their policies since then and may no longer state that parent work hours are required. We plan to release an update to the report and to this web site in 2015 to reflect those changes.

Read the report Charging for Access: How California Charter Schools Exclude Vulnerable Students by Imposing Illegal Family Work Quotas

Alameda County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Oakland Military Institute Oakland Unified 30 hrs/yr Parent Bulletin
Urban Montessori Charter Alameda COE 10 hrs/yr Charter petition to OUSD
Yu Ming Charter Alameda COE 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 5
Butte County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Blue Oak Charter School Butte COE 50 hrs/yr Handbook at 22
Children’s Community Charter School Paradise Unified 1.5 hrs/week,  1 maintenance day/year, 10 extra hours/yr Parent Participation Commitment Form
Paradise Charter Middle School Paradise Unified 12 hrs/semester + 1 maintenance day/year Student Contract at 10
STREAM Charter School Oroville City Elementary School District 30 hrs/year Handbook at 18
Wildflower Open Classroom Chico Unified 75 hrs/yr Charter petition to Chico Unified at 34
Contra Costa County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Eagle Peak Montessori Mt. Diablo Unified 40 hrs/yr Parent Pledge
Manzanita Charter Middle School West Contra Costa Unified 96 hrs/yr + mandatory cleanings + meetings Handbook at 21-22
El Dorado County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
California Montessori Project Shingle Springs Campus Buckeye Union Elementary School District 40 hrs/yr or 70 hrs/yr if > 1 child Handbook at 21-22
Camino Science and Natural Resources Charter School Camino Union Elementary School District 30 hrs/yr Home/School Learning Compact
Fresno County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Sanger Academy Charter School Sanger Unified 10 hrs/yr Handbook at 11
Glenn County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Walden Academy Glenn COE 40 hrs/yr + 20 hrs/yr per additional student Volunteer Handbook at 2
Humboldt County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Fuente Nueva Charter Arcata Elementary School District 4 hrs/mo Enrollment Handbook at 11
Laurel Tree Charter School Northern Humboldt Union High School District 20 hrs/yr “Parent Involvement” Web page
Redwood Coast Montessori Arcata School District 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 17
Kern County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Abernathy Collegiate Charter School Tehachapi Unified 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 39
Los Angeles County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Academia Moderna Los Angeles Unified 20 hrs/yr Handbook at 16-17
Academy of Science and Engineering Los Angeles Unified 20 hrs/year or $10/hr Handbook at 14
Alain Leroy Locke College Prep Academy (Green Dot) Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Alliance Cindy & Bill Simon Technology Academy High School Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Parent/Student/Staff Compact
Alliance College Ready Alice M Baxter Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr “FAQ” Web Page
Alliance College-Ready Academy High School #16 Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 32-35
Alliance College-Ready Academy High School #5 Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr “FAQ” Web Page
Alliance Collins Family College-Ready High School Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Parent/Student/Staff Compact
Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High School Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 36-40
Alliance Gertz-Ressler Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr; 60 if 2 students; 70 if 3+ students “Parent Volunteer Information” Web page
Alliance Health Services Academy Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr “Parent Volunteer Requirements” Web page
Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology High School Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Parent/Student/Staff Compact
Alliance Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science School Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 40
Alliance Media Arts and Entertainment Design High School Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 30
Alliance Ouchi-O’Donovan 6-12 Complex Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 31
Alliance Renee & Meyer Luskin College-Ready Academy Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Parent/Student/Staff Compact
Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High School Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 44-45
Alliance Tennenbaum Family Technology High School Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 38
Animo Avalon Charter Middle (green dot) Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo College Prep Academy (Green Dot) Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle School (Green Dot) Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo Inglewood Charter High (Green Dot) Inglewood Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo Jackie Robinson Charter High (Green Dot) Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo Jefferson Charter Middle (Green Dot) Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo Leadership High Lennox 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo Middle School #2 (Green Dot) Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Parent-Student Handbook at 43
Animo Middle School #3 (Green Dot) Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr  

Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109

Animo Middle School #4 (Green Dot) Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo Pat Brown Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo Ralph Bunche Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo South Los Angeles Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo Venice Charter High Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo Watts College Preparatory Academy Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Animo Westside Charter Middle School Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr “Promotion Requirements” Web Page
Aveson Global Leadership Academy Pasadena Unified 20 hrs/yr “Volunteer” Web Page
Aveson School of Leaders Pasadena Unified 20 hrs/yr “Volunteer” Web Page
ICEF Frederick Douglass Academy Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/ yr Handbook at 25
ICEF Frederick Douglass Charter Middle Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 28
ICEF Inglewood Charter Middle Academy Inglewood Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 34
ICEF Lou Dantzler Preparatory Elementary School Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 23
ICEF Lou Dantzler Preparatory Middle School Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 26
ICEF View Park High Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 34
ICEF View Park Prep Accelerated Charter Middle Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 34-35
ICEF Vista Elementary and Middle Charter Academy Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 28
Ivy Academia Los Angeles Unified 25 hrs/yr Handbook at 7
Keck Early Learning Center Los Angeles Unified 30 hrs/yr; 40 if 2 students; 50 if 3+ students Handbook (the Accelerated Schools) at 37
KIPP LA Prep Los Angeles Unified 20 hrs/yr Commitment to Excellence contract
KIPP Philosophers Academy Los Angeles Unified 20 hrs/yr Commitment to Excellence contract
KIPP Scholar Academy Los Angeles Unified 20 hrs/yr or $5 per hour Commitment to Excellence contract; Parent Bulletin
Life Source Charter School Lancaster Elementary 10 hrs/yr; or $10 per hour Interview with parent
Los Angeles Big Picture High School Los Angeles Unified 140 hrs total Handbook at 8-9
Los Angeles Leadership Academy (LALA) Los Angeles Unified 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 32-34, 47
Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts Los Angeles Unified 60 hrs/yr “Volunteer Opportunities” Web Page
Metro Charter SChool Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/ yr Handbook at 8
Multicultural Learning Center Los Angeles Unified 30 hrs/yr Volunteer Commitment Form 
New Academy of Science and Art Los Angeles Unified 20 hrs/yr Handbook at 13
New Heights Charter School Los Angeles Unified 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 17
New West Charter California Department of Education Charter Schools Division 16 hrs/yr “Get Involved Parent Volunteer Log” Web Page
North Valley Military Academy Los Angeles Unified 25 hrsyr; 35 if 2+ students; $10/ hr Newsletter
Oscar de la Hoya Animo Charter High (Green Dot) Los Angeles Unified 35 hrs/yr Green Dot Student Policy Manual at 22, 109
Pacoima Charter School Los Angeles Unified 30 hrs/yr Handbook
Palisades Charter Elementary Los Angeles Unified 20 hrs/yr Parent Volunteer Handbook at 4
Palisades Charter High School Los Angeles Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 87; “Volunteer Opportunities” Web page
Prepa Tec Los Angeles Unified 20 hrs/yr Handbook (Academia Moderna) at 16-17
Rise Kohyang Middle School Los Angeles Unified 1 event Handbook at 16
Rowland Heights Charter Academy Rowland Unified 3 hrs/mo Parent Newsletter; “Parent Resources” Web page
Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVI) William S. Hart Union High 80 hrs/yr Handbook at 12-13
The Accelerated Charter Elementary School Los Angeles Unified 30 hrs/yr; 40 if 2 students; 50 if 3+ students Handbook (the Accelerated Schools) at 37
The Accelerated School Los Angeles Unified 30 hrs/yr; 40 if 2 students; 50 if 3+ students Handbook (the Accelerated Schools) at 37
Today’s Fresh Start Charter School California Department of Education Charter Schools Division 40 hrs/ yr Handbook at 27
Valley Charter Elementary School Los Angeles Unified 50 hrs/yr; 75 hrs/yr if > 1 child Handbook at 10-12
Valley Charter Middle Los Angeles Unified 50 hrs/yr; 75 hrs/yr if > 1 child Handbook at 2
Vista Charter Middle Los Angeles Unified 10 hrs/quarter, 40 hrs/yr Handbook at 3
Wallis Annenberg High School Los Angeles Unified 30 hrs/yr; 40 if 2 students; 50 if 3+ students Handbook at 31-32
Marin County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Willow Creek Sausalito Marin City 50 hrs/yr ‘Parent Volunteer Obligations” Web page
Mariposa County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Sierra Foothill Charter Mariposa County Unified 2 hrs/mo; $5/hr Parent Contract and Volunteer Agreement
Mendocino County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Eel River School Round Valley Unified 2 hrs/wk per student SARC at 3
Tree of Life Montessori Charter School Tree of Life School 30 hrs/year Contract in Enrollment Application; Handbook at 12
Willits Charter Willits Unified 40 hrs/yr; 60 if 2+ students; $10/hr Handbook at 5-6
Willits Elementary Charter Willits Unified 40 hrs/yr; 60 if 2+ students; $10/hr Charter at 8-9; Handbook at 2
Merced County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Green Valley Charter Los Banos Unified 5 hrs/mo; 50 hrs/yr Handbook at 22
Orange County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
El Rancho Orange Unified 10 hrs/yr; $10/hr Charter at 20; Instructions for Registration
Journey School Capistrano Unified 50 hrs/yr Handbook at 15
Orange County Educational Arts Academy Santa Ana Unified 3 hrs/quarter Parent Handbook at 44-45
Santiago Charter Middle School Orange Unified 12 hrs/yr; $10/hr “Service Hours Info” Web page
Riverside County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Temecula Valley Charter School Temecula Valley Unified 12 hrs/mo Parent Information Guide at 12
San Jacinto Valley Academy San Jacinto Unified 60 hrs/yr Family Service Log web page
Sacramento County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Alan Rowe College Prep (Fortune) Sacramento COE 40 hrs/yr Handbook (Fortune Schools) at 4; Commitment to Excellence Contract
California Montessori Project – Capitol Campus Sacramento City Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook (California Montessori Project) at 22
California Montessori Project – Elk Grove Campus Elk Grove Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook (California Montessori Project) at 22
California Montessori Project – San Juan Campus San Juan Unified 40 hrs/yr Handbook (California Montessori Project) at 22
Community Outreach Academy Sacramento City Unified 12 hrs/year Newsletter
Creative Connections Arts Academy Twin Rivers Unified School District 30 hrs/yr; $10/hr Bylaws at 9-10
Ephraiem Williams College Prep Sacramento COE 40 hrs/yr Handbook (Fortune Schools) at 4; Commitment to Excellence Contract
Fortune School Sacramento COE 40 hrs/yr; $5/hr Handbook
Golden Valley Charter School of Sacramento San Juan Unified 4 hrs/mo Web site, contract
Higher Learning Academy Twin Rivers Unified School District 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 16, 29; Promotion/Retention Policy at 22
Oak Park Prep Sacramento City Unified 10 hrs/yr Handbook at 24
Smythe Academy of Arts and Sciences Twin Rivers Unified School District 30 hrs/yr Charter petition at 29
Sol Aureus College Prep Sacramento City Unified 10 hrs/yr Handbook at 10
St. HOPE Public School 7 Sacramento City Unified 40 hrs/yr “Parent Hours Monthly Tally Sheet” Web page
Westside Preparatory Charter Twin Rivers Unified School District 30 hrs/yr; $10/hr “Parent/Guardian Involvement” Web page
William Lee College Prep (Fortune) Sacramento COE 40 hrs/yr Handbook (Fortune Schools) at 4; Commitment to Excellence Contract
San Bernardino County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Encore High School Hesperia Unified 8 hrs/sem; $20 in-kind/hr Parent Volunteer Form
Grove School Redlands Unified 30 hrs/yr “The Grove School Forms” Web page
Hardy Brown College Prep San Bernardino Unified 40 hrs/yr; $5/hr Charter at 55
Inland Leaders Charter Academy Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District 20 hrs/yr First Day Digital Packet at 12
Mountain View Montessori Victor Elementary 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 4-5
Pathways to College Hesperia Unified 10 hrs/yr Enrollment Packet at 2
Public Safety Academy San Bernardino City Unified 4 hrs/mo Handbook at 14-15
San Diego County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Chula Vista Learning Community Charter School Chula Vista Elementary 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 20-21
EJE Academy Elementary Cajon Valley Union 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 13-14
EJE Academy Middle Cajon Valley Union 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 13-14
Helix Charter School Grossmont Union High School District 2 times / year Handbook at 5
Oxford Preparatory Academy Capistrano Unified 20 hrs/yr Handbook at 54; Learning Partnership Agreement
San Joaquin County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Acacia Community Charter School New Jerusalem Elementary 12/trimester “ACCS FAQ” Web page
Acacia Elementary Charter New Jerusalem Elementary 12/trimester “ACCS FAQ” Web page
Acacia Middle Charter New Jerusalem Elementary 12/trimester “ACCS FAQ” Web page
Health Careers Academy Stockton Unified 4 hrs/sem Enrollment Packet at 7
Joe Serna Jr. Lodi Unified 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 19
River Islands Technology Academy Banta Elementary 5 hrs/mo; $25/hr “Donate/Fundraising” Web Page
San Luis Obispo County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Almond Acres Charter Academy San Miguel Joint Union 60 hrs/yr; 100 hrs/yr if 2+ students Handbook at 5
Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter San Luis Coastal Unified School District 6 hrs/mo “Get Involved” Web page
San Mateo County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
San Carlos Charter Learning Center San Carlos School District 80-120 hrs/year; $15/hr Handbook at 34; Volunteer Guidelines web page
Summit Everest California Department of Education Charter Schools Division 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 15
Santa Clara County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
ACE Alum Rock MS Alum Rock Union Elementary 1 hr/mo Handbook (ACE Charter Schools) at 37
ACE Charter Academy MS Santa Clara COE 1 hr/mo Handbook (ACE Charter Schools) at 37
ACE Charter High East Side Union High School District 1 hr/mo Handbook (ACE Charter Schools) at 37
ACE Franklin McKinley Franklin-McKinley Elementary 1 hr/mo Handbook (ACE Charter Schools) at 37
Discovery Charter School I Santa Clara COE 2.5 hrs/wk; 4.5 hrs/wk if 2+ students; add’l reqs Parent Agreement
Discovery Charter School II Santa Clara COE 2.5 hrs/wk; 4.5 hrs/wk if 2+ students; add’l reqs Parent Agreement
Rocketship Academy Brilliant Minds Santa Clara COE 30 hrs/yr Handbook (Rocketship Discovery Prep)
Rocketship Alma Academy Santa Clara COE 30 hrs/yr Handbook (Rocketship Discovery Prep)
Rocketship Discovery Prep Santa Clara COE 30 hrs/yr Handbook (Rocketship Discovery Prep)
Rocketship Los Suenos Academy Santa Clara COE 30 hrs/yr Handbook (Rocketship Discovery Prep)
Rocketship Mateo Sheedy Academy Santa Clara COE 30 hrs/yr Handbook (Rocketship Discovery Prep)
Rocketship Mosaic Academy Santa Clara COE 30 hrs/yr Handbook (Rocketship Discovery Prep)
Rocketship Si Se Puede Academy Santa Clara COE 30 hrs/yr Handbook (Rocketship Discovery Prep)
Rocketship Spark Academy Franklin-McKinley Elementary 30 hrs/yr Handbook (Rocketship Discovery Prep)
University Preparatory Academy Charter Santa Clara COE 15 hrs/yr; 30 hrs/yr (high schl) “Community Service” and PTSO web page
Village School Campbell Union Elementary School 3 hrs/wk; 3 field trips/yr “Parent Involvement” Web page
Solano County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Alternative Cooperative Education Charter School Vacaville Unified 8 hrs/mo Charter Renewal Petition at 12
Buckingham Charter Magnet High School Vacaville Unified 10 hrs/yr; $20/hr FAQS “Parent Service Hours” web page; Charter at 23
Kairos Public School Vacaville Academy Vacaville Unified 30 hrs/yr Handbook at 4-5
Mare Island Technology Academyl Vallejo City Unified 40/hrs first year, declines to 15/hrs for 6th year Handbook at 16-17; Parent Agreement Form
Vallejo Charter School Vallejo City Unified 20 hrs/yr Family Invovlement Plan
Ventura County
Charter School Authorizer Number of hours Source
Bridges Charter School Ventura COE 4 hrs/wk (Kinder); 2.5 hrs/wk (1-8) Handbook at 34
Camarillo Academy of Progressive Education Ventura COE 1 hr/wk SARC at 2
Ventura Charter School Ventura School District 4 hrs/wk Charter at 40; Technology Plan at 3
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