A parent — we’ll call her Sally — contacted me recently about the options for Anna (also an alias), her 14-year-old daughter who just doesn’t fit into her district schools. She is smart, but not academically driven. She gets bullied. Really, she’s never been a good student.
Sally is a single mom with a full time job, so homeschooling was out of the question.
This mom also told me that she’s willing to move for something that would be a good fit. That’s huge.
Sally’s eyes opened wide when I mentioned that there are charter schools that might fit the bill.
First, all charter schools in New Hampshire are public schools that operate independently of traditional school districts. They are tuition-free and open to all students from anywhere in NH. They are managed by an independent board (not elected). These schools often have specialized curricula or flexible educational approaches. They also have greater flexibility in hiring and teaching methods than district public schools. Taxes fund them, so families do not pay tuition.
More importantly for Sally and Anna, some charter schools in New Hampshire focus on students who do not fit into their district schools. This is what caught Sally’s attention.
These innovative schools focus mostly on high schools students, but one in Keene starts in middle school. Two charter schools are still accepting students this year, while two of them are full. Of course, that can change at any time, so if you’re interested in any of them, you should give them a call and get a tour.
I’ve had tours of MC2 and Ledyard charter schools.
I will showcase the two schools that currently have openings for students: MC2 (“emcee squared”) and CSI.
Making Community Connections Chartered Public School, Keene
Making Community Connections Chartered Public School (MC2) is community-based. This means that they work with families and students learn through internships, community service, and field experiences outside the school. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are academic days; Tuesdays and Thursdays are Internship days.
MC2 runs year-round, with four quarters — each quarter is 10 weeks long, with 3 weeks off in between. They don’t have grades. Students progress through a series of phases when they demonstrate competency. Many of their students go on to, and graduate from college.
Competencies Skills Interest Chartered Public School, Penacook
Competencies Skills Interest Chartered Public School (CSI) is in Penacook. They have morning and evening sessions from 7:30 to Noon and from 2:30 to 7 PM. They meet on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays, starting the end of August and ending the first week of June.
Students do competency-based learning through an individualized academic program. To graduate, students have show a satisfactory level of competencies. It takes as long as it takes — some students finish more quickly than others.
Here’s a list of all the alternative charter high schools in the state:
| CSI Charter School | Penacook | Ages 17-22 | Alt high school/ competency-based learning | open seats |
| Making Community Connections (MC2) Charter School – Monadnock | Keene | Ages 13-18 | Alt high school/ competency-based, year round | open seats |
| Ledyard Charter School | Lebanon | Grades 9-12 | Alt high school/ competency-based learning | waitlist |
| Riverview Chartered Public School | Claremont | Grades 9-12 | Alt high school | waitlist |
Charter schools are a lifesaver to families who are struggling with their district schools for any reason. Contact them today to see if your child is a good fit in their programs.
Media Appearances
Learn more about EdOpt through our media appearances. These are interviews or presentations that were recorded. Some are videos, and some are audio from radio shows.
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EdOpt Fair Schedule
Look for our EdOpt Fairs during National School Choice Week, the last week of January 2026. Our current plan is to have them in Manchester, Dummer, and Claremont.
We’re also starting to plan for the spring. Look for fairs in Nashua, Moultonborough, and other places.
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Want to organize an expo in your area? Reply to this email or contact us if you want to help.
EdOpt’s Goals
EdOpt’s aim is to help families understand all their education options, from non-traditional (homeschooling, homeschool co-ops, microschools) to traditional (charter schools, private schools, tech centers, dual enrollment, learn everywhere). Our website lists the education providers options around the state that we know about (please let us know if we’re missing any!) so you can investigate the ones that you’re interested in. EdOpt also provides guidance to help you understand your options. Set up an Education Options consultation today.
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