Green Dot Public Schools is a non-profit organization that operates public charter schools in the United States. Founded in 1999 in Los Angeles, California, by Steve Barr, the organization aims to transform public education in historically underserved communities. Green Dot operates schools in California, Tennessee, and Washington State. The organization is known for its model of taking over struggling public schools and implementing its educational approach, which emphasizes college preparation, small learning communities, and high academic standards. Green Dot schools typically serve students in grades 6-12, with some locations offering K-12 education. Green Dot Public Schools operates under five essential principles: high expectations, small safe personalized schools, local control with extensive professional development, parent participation, and maximum funding to the classroom. The organization has received recognition for its work in urban education reform and has been featured in various educational studies and publications. The charter network has demonstrated success in improving graduation rates and college acceptance rates among students from low-income communities. Green Dot schools employ a unionized teaching workforce, which is unusual among charter school organizations. The network serves approximately 14,000 students across its various campuses and has become one of the largest charter school operators in the United States.