Charter Schools vs. Public Schools: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Charter schools vs. public schools. What’s the difference? And, most importantly, which is the best fit for your child?

Both charter schools and public schools serve the same broad purpose – providing a free education. But they differ significantly in their structure, operation, regulations and approach.

Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated. They have greater flexibility than traditional public schools that are operated by school districts. This allows charter schools to create specialized curriculum or focus areas, such as STEM or arts. Charter schools operate under a “charter” (a contract) with a local or state education authority, which closely monitors their performance. If the charter school fails to meet specific goals, authorities can close it down.¹

Public schools are funded and operated by the government, and are subject to strict regulations regarding curriculum, teacher certification, and administrative processes. Public schools must accept all students from their district, which typically leads to a more standardized educational experience.²

High-Level Differences Between Charter Schools and Public Schools

We’ll dive deeper into each of these areas below, but let’s start with an overview of some of the main differences between charter and public schools. (Click on any of the key factors to jump to a deeper discussion.)

Key Factor	Charter Schools	Public Schools
Structure & Governance	Independently operated; managed by nonprofits or private organizations; overseen by a charter with performance standards.	Governed by school districts, overseen by elected school boards with standardized regulations.
Curriculum & Flexibility	Flexible curriculum, with options for specialized focus areas (e.g., STEM, arts, Montessori) and experimental teaching methods.	State-mandated curriculum; limited flexibility; focused on consistent educational standards across districts.
Academic Performance	Performance varies by location; some outperform public schools, especially in urban areas, while others perform less well.	Stable academic outcomes due to standardized curriculum; can be limited by larger class sizes and varying resources by district.
Inclusivity & Accessibility	Open to all but may have enrollment conditions; lower diversity representation sometimes noted.	Required to accept all students within the district, supporting a diverse population with varied needs (e.g., special education services).
Teacher Qualifications & Turnover	Often have more flexibility in hiring, sometimes hiring non-certified teachers; generally have higher turnover rates.	Teachers must be state-certified, ensuring a standard qualification level; typically have lower turnover rates.
Funding & Accountability	Publicly funded but privately managed; accountable through charter agreements that may include performance-based consequences.	Publicly funded by federal, state, and local governments; accountable to government standards with consistent oversight.
Class Sizes	Often promote smaller class sizes, providing more individualized attention.	Class sizes vary by district; larger class sizes common in underfunded districts.
Transportation	Varies by school funding and policy; many are completely virtual, requiring no transit.	Typically provided by the school if the student lives further than walking distance.

Structure and Governance Difference Between Charter Schools and Public Schools

Charter schools operate with more autonomy. Though publicly funded, they are privately managed, typically by nonprofit or for-profit organizations. Charter schools enter into contracts — called charters — with the state or local school board, outlining specific performance expectations. If they fail to meet these expectations, that authority can revoke or not renew the charter — either of which leads to shutting down the school. This higher level of accountability encourages charter schools to innovate. This independence leads to a variety of approaches — some successful, some less so.³

Local school districts manage public schools, often with oversight from elected school boards. This traditional setup ensures a consistent curriculum and strict regulation. With few exceptions, for example, teachers must maintain state certifications in their instructional area. Every student within a district has a right to attend the public school, which means those schools must accommodate a wide range of academic, linguistic, and physical abilities.⁴

Do Charter Schools or Public Schools Have More Flexibility to Innovate Around Curriculum?

One of the key differences between the two models is flexibility. Charter schools have the freedom to develop specialized curriculums, focus on unique educational philosophies, or target specific student needs, such as STEM-focused or Montessori programs. This flexibility allows them to tailor learning environments, experiment with new teaching methods, non-traditional schedules, or hybrid learning models.⁵

Public schools, bound by state-mandated curriculums, have far less flexibility. Because of this strict structure, people often criticize them for being rigid and slow to adapt to changing educational needs. But this consistency ensures that students across districts receive a similar education and that teacher certification requirements remain stringent.

Do Students Perform Better in Charter Schools or Public Schools?

When it comes to academic outcomes, research presents a mixed picture. Some charter schools excel, particularly in areas where public schools are underperforming. A Stanford study found that charter schools in urban areas tend to outperform their public counterparts in math and reading. However, the same study showed that the performance of charter schools overall varies significantly depending on location and the specific school model.

Public schools, while often constrained by larger class sizes and policy mandates, tend to offer more predictable outcomes. Although they may not innovate as quickly, public schools benefit from stable funding, established support systems for special education, and services for English language learners. These programs ensure that public schools serve a broader range of student needs, which can contribute to more equitable academic outcomes on a large scale.⁶

Are Charter Schools or Public Schools More Diverse, Inclusive, and Accessible?

The inclusivity of public schools is one of their greatest strengths. This creates a diverse learning environment where students from various socioeconomic, racial, and cultural backgrounds learn together. On the other hand, charter schools’ “selective admissions” practices are a target for frequent criticism. While they are technically open to all students, they may enforce certain requirements, such as parental involvement or strict behavior policies, that can indirectly exclude students with special needs or behavioral challenges. Some studies have suggested that charter schools tend to serve fewer students requiring special education services, which raises concerns about equity in access.⁷

How Do Charter Schools vs. Public Schools Differ in Teacher Requirements?

Teacher certification is another critical distinction. In public schools, teachers must be state-certified, which generally requires completing rigorous training and passing exams. This requirement helps maintain a certain level of quality and expertise across the public system.⁸

Charter schools are not always bound by these rules. Depending on the state, charter schools may hire teachers without certification or with less formal training. While this flexibility can allow charter schools to attract professionals with diverse backgrounds, it has raised concerns about consistency in teacher quality. Charter schools tend to have higher teacher turnover rates than public schools, which can affect the stability of the learning environment.⁹

How are Charter Schools and Public Schools Funded and Held Accountable?

Public funding supports both charter and public schools, but their accountability standards differ. Public schools are subject to federal, state, and local regulations that include standardized testing, student performance metrics, and financial oversight. This ensures that they meet broad educational standards, but it also makes them susceptible to bureaucratic inefficiencies.¹⁰

Charter schools face a different type of accountability. To stay open, they must meet the terms of their charter agreements, often tied to specific academic and financial performance goals. This pressure can drive charter schools to innovate and perform better, but it also creates an element of instability. For example, a charter school that struggles with academic performance may abruptly close, disrupting students’ education.

What Are Class Sizes Like in Charter Schools vs. Public Schools? Where do Students Get More Individual Attention?

Many charter schools promote smaller class sizes as one of their selling points, arguing that this allows for more individualized attention and better academic outcomes. However, public schools also vary in class size depending on the district and funding. In wealthier areas, public schools may have comparable class sizes to charter schools, while in more underfunded areas, overcrowding can be a significant issue.

That said, research suggests that smaller class sizes alone do not guarantee better educational outcomes. Effective teaching and the ability to address individual student needs are just as important. Both types of schools may offer small class sizes, but it’s the quality of instruction that ultimately determines student success.¹¹

How Do Students Get to Charter School or Public School Buildings?

Public schools nearly always offer free bussing or other transportation for students who live too far to walk (varies by district). Depending on their funding and policies, charter schools may or may not. These generalizations do vary by state law, so it’s important to check with each school to confirm school-provided transportation. Another factor to consider is that some charter schools are entirely online, eliminating the need for daily transportation.

Which Is a Better Fit for My Child?

We know one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to education. Choosing between sending your child to a charter school vs. a public school is a personal decision that is affected by a number of factors. To help get you started in your research process, here’s a guide that will help you decide which school structure is the best fit:

	Charter Schools	Public Schools
If your child benefits from a specialized curriculum (e.g., STEM or arts focus).	X
If you want a structured, standardized curriculum.		X
If you need guaranteed enrollment/no application requirements.		X
If your child needs extensive special education services.		X
If you prefer smaller class sizes and individualized attention.	X
If flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods is important.	X
If stability in funding and resources is a priority.		X
If you prefer a community-based and inclusive school with a diverse population.		X
If you need regular transportation assistance.	Varies by school	X

Conclusion

The charter schools vs. public schools debate hinges on personal priorities and local circumstances. Choosing between the two depends on what you value more — stability and inclusivity, or flexibility and innovation. Each system has strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice will vary based on individual student needs, location, and personal educational philosophies. For a deeper dive into broader educational perspectives, check out our articles on education reform and holistic education for insights into how we can improve and evolve the schooling experience.

What are your thoughts on how to improve our publicly funded schools? The Education Revolution Association wants to know. Connect with us to share your ideas for improving all schools and to join us as we empower teachers to prepare students for the test of life.

References

1. Holley, M. (2023, September 26). 5 differences between charter and public schools. Method Modern Schools. https://www.methodschools.org/blog-2023/5-differences-between-charter-and-public-schools ↩︎
2. Zinth, K. (n.d.). What is a Public School? Education Commission of the States. https://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/64/13/6413.pdf ↩︎
3. Charter School Governance: The essential guide. BLUUM Federal CSP Grants. (2023, November 7). https://csp.bluum.org/charter-governance-guide/ ↩︎
4. ACLU. (2022, September 18). School Governance 101. American Civil Liberties Union. https://www.aclu.org/rtl-resources/school-governance-101 ↩︎
5. Holley, M. (2023, September 26). 5 differences between charter and public schools. Method Modern Schools. https://www.methodschools.org/blog-2023/5-differences-between-charter-and-public-schools ↩︎
6. De Luca, B. M., & Hinshaw, S. (2006). Comparing Academic Achievement in Charter Schools and Public Schools: The Role of Money. Journal of Educational Research & Policy Studies, 6(1), 67-90. ↩︎
7. Drew, C. (2024, May 29). Charter Schools vs Public Schools: Which is better? Helpful Professor. https://helpfulprofessor.com/charter-schools-vs-public-schools/ ↩︎
8. Teacher certification requirements by State. teach.com. (2024, September 6). https://teach.com/careers/become-a-teacher/teaching-credential/state-requirements/ ↩︎
9. Schaeffer, K. (2024, June 6). U.S. public, private and charter schools in 5 charts. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/06/06/us-public-private-and-charter-schools-in-5-charts/ ↩︎
10. Tong, T., Smith, S. L., Fienberg, M., & Kho, A. (2023, March 17). Charter schools: An alternative option in American schooling. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8392/3/1/22 ↩︎
11. Tong, T., Smith, S. L., Fienberg, M., & Kho, A. (2023, March 17). Charter schools: An alternative option in American schooling. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8392/3/1/22 ↩︎