Projected FY2026 Charter School Tuition and Enrollment

July 2025

Below are links to the FY2026 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.

These projections are based on the final FY2026 state budget and reflect the continued implementation of the Student Opportunity Act (SOA). The SOA 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, 2024 SIMS enrollment.
• Foundation budgets have been raised by a 1.93% inflation factor.

A full explanation of the changes to the foundation budget are available on Chapter 70 Program webpage. Some 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 in over a seven-year period.
• An employee benefits inflation rate of 6.13% 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 FY2026 is 3.97%.

Key points on above foundation and facilities rates:

• Above foundation rates are determined using the most recently available budgeted net school spending percentages from June 2025.
• Facilities rates are level funded at $1,188 per pupil.

Key points on charter reimbursement to districts:

• The enacted state budget includes a $179,089,258 million appropriation for charter school tuition reimbursements. Below you will find Excel files with the latest calculation of FY2026 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 Kim Hunter, Charter School Program Fiscal Manager, in the Office of District and School Finance at Kimberly.Hunter2@mass.gov or (781) 338-6511.

Last Updated: July 18, 2025