About Charter Schools

Charter schools are public schools that are responsive to students needs and are held accountable for improved student achievement.  Download the Charter Schools Fact Sheet [pdf]

 Charter schools...

  • Are open to the public
  • Are tuition-free
  • Participate in state tests
  • Employ credentialed teachers1
  • Do not discriminate 2

 CA Law

Charter School Momentum

There are 750 charter schools serving over 266,000 charter school students in California.

Over the past 10 years, charter schools have consistently grown by an average of 50 schools a year.

Charter schools serve a balanced mix of students mirroring demographics in California’s public schools.

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Charter School Achievements

Research shows charter schools do a better job increasing student achievement than traditional public schools.3  Learn more.

Over 506 charter schools in California are committed to standards and accountability through the Certified Charter Schools Program. 

According to a 2007 USC field study, charter school parents cited "challenging curriculum and individualized student attention as key reasons for their high level of satisfaction."4

 

1 Under Law, charter schools are required to employ credentialed teachers in core and college preparatory classes. 
2 Under Law, charter schools cannot discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, gender, national origin, religion or ancestry. 
3  Research based on the California Department of Education’s Academic Performance Index from 2004 – 2007 indicates that 11% more charters than traditional public schools show substantially higher student achievement by the end of the school year.
4  A 2007 USC field study entitled Charter Schools and Customer Satisfaction: Lessons from Field Testing a Parent Survey by Wohlstetter, Nayfack & Mora-Flores.