Four Charlotte charters head back to school this week

Students at United Community School and at least three other Charlotte charter schools are starting their school year this week.

Aug. 24 is opening day for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and most other district schools. But charter schools have more calendar flexibility.

Community Charter School, KIPP Charlotte and Lake Norman Charter School all start their 2015-16 classes this week.

United Community School, which opened in 2014 with K-2 students, is adding third grade this year. Grade-level expansions and approval of new charter schools make the alternative form of public education a growing part of the Charlotte region’s education scene.

This story was originally published August 10, 2015 at 4:56 PM with the headline "Four Charlotte charters head back to school this week."