Opening a New Charter Public School

Maine law sets a statewide cap of 10 public charter schools that may operate at any one time. This is a hard ceiling: the total number of charter schools open across the state cannot exceed ten.

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This cap has currently been met. Because all ten available slots are filled, the Commission is not accepting or considering applications for new charter schools at this time.

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Once a slot opens — for example, if an existing school closes or its charter is not renewed — the number of operating schools would fall back below the cap, and the Commission would again be able to consider new applications.