Charter School Definition?

Hey guys! I'm a high school freshman currently looking at different types of schools. I've come across the term 'charter school' quite a few times but I'm not exactly sure about its definition. Could anyone here clarify what a charter school is and how it's different from other types of schools?

Hello! I'd be happy to help you understand what a charter school is. Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from the traditional public school district. They are established by a contract (or 'charter') with a state or local education agency. This gives them more flexibility in their curriculum, teaching methods, and overall structure compared to traditional public schools.

Charter schools are open to all students in their area, have no tuition, and are held accountable for their students' academic performance. The main difference between charter schools and traditional public schools is that they have more freedom to innovate and create unique educational experiences while still being held to state standards. Some charter schools might focus on a particular subject area, like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or the arts, while others may have a more specialized instructional approach.

Another key difference is their funding. Charter schools receive public funding, but they sometimes receive less funding per student than traditional public schools. They might also rely more on donations from private individuals or organizations to fund their operations and programs.

I hope this helps clarify what a charter school is and how it differs from other types of schools!