Alabama's Charter School Sector Continues Rapid Growth

Five new charter schools advance through application process to potentially open in 2027-28 school year

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:14pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a stack of textbooks and school supplies in a tight grid pattern, representing the growth of charter schools in Alabama as an educational innovation.As Alabama's charter school sector continues its rapid expansion, new innovative learning environments are emerging to serve diverse student populations.Today in Birmingham

Alabama's charter school sector is continuing its rapid expansion, with five new charter school operators holding public forums over the next two weeks as they seek approval to open schools in the 2027-28 school year. This comes as the state's charter sector has grown to include 18 schools operating 25 campuses and enrolling 8,800 students statewide, with more schools already approved to open in 2026 and 2027.

Why it matters

The growth of Alabama's charter school sector reflects a broader trend of increasing school choice options for families, though charter schools still only enroll a small share of the state's roughly 720,000 students. The new proposed charter schools aim to provide innovative learning opportunities and serve underperforming student populations.

The details

The five charter school operators seeking approval are holding public forums to demonstrate community support. The first forum was held in Dothan, where Time Leadership Academy hopes to open a K-8 school focused on preparing students to be 'confident leaders and change makers.' The remaining forums are scheduled in other Alabama communities over the next two weeks. The application process is nearly complete, and the Alabama Public Charter School Commission will consider the proposals on May 4. If approved, the new charter schools would join a sector that has grown since Alabama authorized charters in 2015, though they still only serve a small fraction of the state's students.

  • The first public forum was held on Thursday, April 18, 2026 in Dothan.
  • The remaining four public forums are scheduled over the next two weeks.
  • The Alabama Public Charter School Commission will consider the proposals on May 4, 2026.

The players

Time Leadership Academy

A proposed charter school operator seeking to open a K-8 school in Dothan focused on preparing students to be 'confident leaders and change makers.'

Nate Patterson

The founder of Time Leadership Academy who spoke at the Dothan public forum.

Alabama Public Charter School Commission

The state-level body that authorizes charter schools in Alabama and will consider the five new proposals on May 4.

Logan Searcy

The Executive Director for the Alabama Public Charter School Commission.

Elmore and Montgomery County school districts

The only local school district authorizers in Alabama that currently have charter schools operating within their districts.

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What they’re saying

“Our mission is preparing students in grades K-8 to be confident leaders and change makers through a rigorous, student centered learning environment.”

— Nate Patterson, Founder, Time Leadership Academy

“We are evaluating them, and we will give a report to the applicant, as we will to our commissioners, and then our commissioners will consider that vote on May 4.”

— Logan Searcy, Executive Director, Alabama Public Charter School Commission

What’s next

The Alabama Public Charter School Commission will vote on whether to approve the five new charter school proposals on May 4, 2026.

The takeaway

Alabama's charter school sector continues to rapidly expand, providing more school choice options for families, though charters still only serve a small fraction of the state's students. The new proposed charter schools aim to offer innovative learning environments and serve underperforming student populations.