Charter School vs Public School

In the 2016-17 SY, 17% of Arizona’s students attended a charter school instead of a traditional district school. (Source) Should you be considering enrolling your child in a charter school? What exactly is a charter school and how does it differ from a public school?

Well, actually, charter schools are public schools!

Charter schools are open to the public, tuition-free, and do not require entrance exams. They are, however, required to participate in state testing and federal accountability programs.

No district restrictions

In a nutshell, charter schools are public schools that are independent of school districts. It doesn’t matter which school district you can live in, your children can attend a Charter School regardless of your location (as long as you can get them there)!

Public schools restrict enrollment to those living in their district but may have requirements or exceptions for those from outside the district looking to attend.

If you’re a parent who is unhappy with the school choices in your district, a charter school may be a great option for you and your child!

Individualized Education Standards

The number one thing that sets a charter school apart from a district school is that charter schools can set their own rules and standards for education. This is unlike traditional public schools that must follow education standards set by the state and operate under their set school district, run by an elected school board.

Charter schools must draw up their own performance standards that they are then held accountable to.

Flexible Curriculum

At a public school, just like their education standards, their curriculum is determined by the state’s board of education. This means that no matter which school you go to in your district, your child will be studying the same courses and participating in the same programs.

At a charter school, there is much more flexibility in the curriculum and programs taught in the classroom. This can make a charter school a great option for students who are not receiving a great enough challenge in their academic life at their district school. If your child is bored in school or struggling with a traditional curriculum, they may benefit from a more customized education.

For example, AMS caters to motivated learners who are hungry to exceed in STEM subjects, foreign languages, arts, and music.

How are they the same?

Charter schools and traditional public schools are both tuition-free. They also cannot discriminate against students who want to attend their schools and are funded by the state.

This means if you’re thinking about enrolling your child into a charter school, you won’t have to worry about him or her passing any requirements or testing to be admitted. The enrollment process for each charter school is different, however, you can be confident knowing that charter schools do not require entrance exams. Some may administer placement tests to ensure your child is put in the appropriate level for his or her schooling.

What are your thoughts on charter schools? Leave your thoughts below!