By KATHY STEELE | ksteele@tampatrib.com

S EMINOLE HEIGHTS - Chartered high schools are nothing new in Hillsborough County.

But the Seminole Heights Charter High School has the unusual mission of reaching out to students at risk of dropping out or who already have dropped out.

The school, at 4006 N. Florida Ave., is enrolling students ages 16 through 21 for an Aug. 24 opening date. It will offer three sessions daily, Monday through Friday: morning, mid-day and evening. Students can earn high school diplomas the same as students who attend traditional high schools.

Charter schools are independent, nonprofit public schools that receive state and local funding. They must meet standards set by local school districts regarding enrollment levels, graduation rates and students' standardized test scores.

Because the new Seminole Heights school is part of the public school system, enrollment is free.

"We are ready to go.