Community Choice Public Schools differ from district charter schools in that they operate independently from the locally elected school boards yet are under the general supervision of the Montana Board of Public Education. They are held accountable to their students and communities by a performance contract with their authorizer. This gives Community Choice Public Schools more flexibility and autonomy to meet student needs and the values of a local community. In Montana, the authorizer is the Community Choice Schools Commission, which is an autonomous state entity under the general supervision of the Board of Public Education. 

Members of the Community Choice Schools Commissions are appointed by the Governor and by both party leaders of the Montana Senate and House of Representatives. The Community Choice Schools Commission has collective expertise in many areas of public education, like special education, career technical education, teaching, entrepreneurship, and curriculum. Click here to learn more about the Community Choice Schools Commission.