How do charter schools work? Charter schools are public schools operating under an independent contract or “charter” with an authorizing agency—typically a non-profit organization, government agency, or university. The charter provides the school with operational autonomy to pursue specific educational objectives regarding curriculum, staff, and budget. It also holds them accountable to the same (often higher) standards of their district public school peers.

Are charter schools public schools? Yes, charter schools are independently operated public schools. Charter schools provide a high-quality education option to public school students, upholding high standards that meet and often exceed the district and state metrics.

How do I enroll my child in a charter school? Most charter schools have an enrollment period when parents can submit applications for the school. If there are more applications submitted than seats available, they will hold a randomized blind lottery. To learn more about applying to a charter school in California, visit ccsa.org.

Do charter schools have attendance boundaries? Charter schools do not have traditional school boundaries like district schools, which allow many charter schools to attract a diverse student body. Charter schools are restricted by state limits and some have city limits as well. Visit ccsa.org for more information.

Are charter schools nonprofit? Charter schools are public schools. Nearly two-thirds are freestanding, but sometimes a group of charter schools is supported by a management organization. The overwhelming majority of these charter school management organizations are nonprofit. Some states allow for-profit organizations to manage charter schools, but that accounts for only 12 percent of charter schools across the country. Regardless, all charter schools are public schools and free to attend.

Do charter schools have admission requirements? No, charter schools do not have admission requirements or entrance exams. Though many charter schools are in high demand and when that demand exceeds the spaces available in the school, a charter school may hold a randomized, blind lottery to determine which students are admitted or may preference students by need or location.

What are some questions to ask when I’m choosing a charter school? As a parent, make sure you are familiar with the individual objectives and rules affiliated with the specific charter school that you are considering before you enroll your child. The reasons that parents choose charter schools for their children are just as unique as the students themselves. They choose their child’s school for a variety of reasons, including strong, dedicated teachers; the school’s focus matches their child’s needs; or simply because their child was struggling in their zoned-public school and needed to try something new. Charter schools provide families with options in public education, allowing parents to take a more active role in their child’s education.

Do charter schools charge tuition? No, charter schools are tuition-free, public schools.

What makes charter schools different than other schools? Each of the more than 7,500 charter schools is unique—both inside and out. Some may focus on college prep, some follow a Montessori curriculum, and others integrate the arts into each subject. Most charter schools are located in urban areas, but there are charter schools in suburban and rural areas as well. Some charter schools require uniforms, others have longer school days, and some teach their entire curriculum in two languages. The possibilities are endless, but charter schools aim to provide a range of options so that parents can choose the school that best fits their child.

Reprinted, with permission, from publiccharters.org, the website of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. See tinyurl.com/4s52bdur for the answers to other questions about charter schools.