Preliminary FY2025 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment

December 2024

Below are links to the preliminary FY2025 tuition and enrollment estimates for charter schools and sending districts. It is important to note some caveats that may affect the accuracy of these estimates. While actual enrollment cannot exceed the projection reported by each charter school, enrollment by individual sending school districts may vary. Additionally, each sending district's tuition rate is a function of local spending and subject to change.

These projections are based on the final FY2025 state budget and reflect the continued implementation of the Student Opportunity Act (An Act Relative to Educational Opportunity for Students). The Act makes significant changes to the foundation budget rate formula, based on the recommendations of the Foundation Budget Review Commission (FBRC). The updated formula is codified in Chapter 70 of the general laws.

Key points on foundation budget rates:

• These rates are derived from each school's October 1, 2023 SIMS enrollment.

• Foundation budgets have been raised by a 1.35% inflation factor.

• Some additional highlights:

  • The SOA establishes new, higher foundation budget rates in five areas: benefits and fixed charges, guidance and psychological services, special education out-of-district tuition, English learners, and low-income students, all to be phased— by FY2027.

  • An employee benefits inflation rate of 5.03% is applied to the employee benefits and fixed charges category. This rate is based on the three-year average premium increase for all Group Insurance Commission (GIC) plans.

  • The SOA also increases the assumed in-district special education enrollment from 3.5% to 4.0% for non-vocational students over seven years. The factor used in FY2025 is 3.93%.

Key points on above foundation and facilities rates:

• Above foundation rates are determined using the most recently available budgeted net school spending data for FY2025

• Facilities rates are level funded at $1,188 per pupil.

Key points on charter reimbursement to districts:

• The FY2025 state budget includes a $199.0 million appropriation for charter school tuition reimbursements. This appropriation level is expected to meet the 100% requirement in FY2025.

Below you will find Excel files with the most recent calculation of FY2025 charter school tuition and reimbursements. These amounts will be used by the Department of Revenue in their cherry sheet estimates.

• Sending District Summary, showing enrollment, tuition, and aid

• Charter School Summary, showing enrollment and tuition

• Foundation Budgets, showing foundation enrollments and budgets, as well as their underlying calculations

• Rate Summary, provides a full list of current rates by charter, location, and sending district , as well as prior year rates and demographics, where available.

• Estimate of FTE Remaining Under the NSS Cap, provides a district list showing the potential number of seats left under the statutory 9 and 18 percent net school spending caps.

Questions about the charter tuition program should be addressed to Rob O'Donnell in the Office of District and School Finance at (781) 338-6512 or Robert.F.O'Donnell@mass.gov .

Last Updated: January 9, 2025