Massachusetts Charter Schools

FY2021 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment Projections

Below you will find links to FY2021 tuition and enrollment projections for charter schools and sending districts. It is important to note some caveats that may affect the accuracy of these projections. While actual enrollment cannot exceed the projection reported by a given charter, 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.

Key points on Foundation Budget Rates

  • Increases foundation budget rates by 1.99% inflation over FY2020

  • Uses economically disadvantaged headcounts in lieu of free and reduced price lunch data, which is no longer available for all districts as a result of participation in the USDA's Community Eligibility Program

Key points on Above Foundation Spending Rates

  • In the absence of the actual school spending data needed to determine the Above Foundation Spending Rates, the spending percentage from the prior fiscal year is used

Key points on the Facility Rate

  • The same facilities rate used in FY2020 is used in FY2021, $938 per pupil

Key points on Charter District Aid

  • Includes assumptions around charter reimbursement funding based on the FY20 GAA, however the actual amount of charter reimbursement funds available has yet not been determined as it must be appropriated in the state budget

  • Uses a 3-year,100%/60%/40%, schedule for transition aid, priority is still given by tier

Below you will find the most recent calculation of projected FY21 charter school tuition and reimbursements. These amounts will be used by the Department of Revenue in their cherry sheet estimates.


Questions about the charter tuition program should be addressed to Hadley Cabral in the Office of District and School Finance at (781) 338-6586 or Hadley.B.Cabral@mass.gov .

Last Updated: September 14, 2020