Charter School vs. Private School: Which One is Right For Your Child?

Making the right choice for your child’s education can be stressful!

We all love our kids and want the best for them, but how can we know what a good educational fit is?

Depending on what state you live in, your educational options will vary, but the first step is understanding what all these choices really mean. 

What is the difference between a charter and private school?

A lot of people have heard of charter schools but don't quite understand how they differ from private schools. Let's dig into those differences.

What is a “public school?"

To understand what private and charter schools are, we first need to know what a “public school” is. Public school means that the school is operated by the state education department and funded with tax dollars. Some of these funds come from state taxes, and some of them come from federal taxes. This means that your local public school is responsible for adhering to the regulations set forth by your state department of education as well as any legislation at the federal level that is tied to accepting specific funding streams. 

These regulations include things like not teaching religious curriculum, participating in standardized testing, and ensuring that specific grade levels of students are exposed to specific standardized content. These standards and regulations are in place to guarantee that every child is able to access a quality education as defined by the government. 

The school district creates school boundary lines and decides which neighborhoods will be assigned to specific schools. Unless you live in a state with an “open enrollment” law, your kids will attend the public school they are assigned to. 

Got it? Ok, on to charter schools.

What is a "charter school?"

A charter school is part of the public education system—funded by taxpayer dollars and accountable for upholding the same standards and regulations that public schools are held to (including special education services). However, charter schools don’t serve a specific area within a district. Anyone can apply to attend a charter school, and the charter school must accept anyone who applies unless it is at capacity. 

Charter schools are run independently from the school district. They have a little more autonomy in how they operate and often choose a specific focus, such as performing arts, STEM, or leadership. This gives the school a unique culture. 

Charter schools may receive less funding than a normal public school for things like transportation, meals, and special education so make sure you are aware of what services and supports are available if you’re looking into a charter school. 

Charter schools are available in 45 states and the District of Columbia.

Charter schools are not available in five states in the U.S. These states are:

• Montana
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Vermont

What is a "private school?"

A private school exists completely outside of the public education system. They do not accept public funds and, therefore, do not have to comply with the educational regulations that follow public funding. They do not serve a specific location, and families typically have to apply and be accepted. The private school is allowed to decide who attends their school as long as they aren’t discriminating based on things like race. They also have complete control over what is taught and how it is taught. Private school students do not sit for state standardized tests. Private schools do not have to provide special education services if they don’t want to, but many do. 

Some states require private schools be “accredited,” which means that a trusted third-party evaluator has reviewed their learning approach and management procedures and approved them. 

Charter and private schools: pros and cons

Now that we have our definitions in order let’s talk pros and cons.

Charter school pros: 

• Innovation in education: Charters often use unique educational approaches not found in traditional public schools
• No tuition fees: Being part of the public school system, they do not charge tuition
• Diverse curriculum options: Charters typically offer specialized programs like STEM or arts

Charter school cons: 

• Limited enrollment: Charters often use a lottery system due to higher demand than available spots
• Variable quality: As autonomous entities, quality and performance can vary widely between schools
• Less funding: May receive less per-pupil funding compared to local public schools

Private school pros: 

• Smaller class sizes: Private schools typically offer more personalized attention to students
• Strong academic reputation: Often known for high educational standards and high test scores
• Extensive extracurricular opportunities: Private schools usually offer a wide range of sports, clubs, and arts programs

Private school cons: 

• High cost: Tuition can be prohibitively expensive
• Less diversity: Often less racially and economically diverse than public schools
• Selective admission: Can be competitive and exclusive, limiting accessibility

How do I decide what’s best for my child?

If you’ve read this far, you’ll notice a common differentiator of these choices is funding.

When you choose to enroll your child in a public or charter school, you are choosing a fairly rigid, standardized approach. Even most private schools follow a traditional approach.

If your student thrives in these settings, awesome!

But if you are looking for a more individualized approach where your kids don’t have to “fit into the box” necessarily, looking into a more innovative private option is going to be your best bet.

What other innovative options are out there?

The two most popular options in this bucket are homeschooling and microschooling. Homeschooling is privately funded, but it’s up to you how much you want to spend on your child’s education. It also typically requires a parent who stays home and dedicates their time to educating the kiddos. Some states still have regulations around homeschooling, so you might not be able to be as innovative as you like (look into homeschool regulations in your state here).

What is a microschool? 

Microschools are tight-knit groups of about 10 kids learning together under the direction of a microschool “guide.” They vary in learning approach and format but are typically personalized and focused on fostering a sense of self-efficacy. Prenda is one of the largest microschool networks in the country and can help you bring a microschool into your community.

How are microschools different than public, private, and charter schools?

Microschools are MUCH smaller than public, private, or charter schools. Parents have a strong say in what and how kids learn, and the learning approach is flexible enough to account for individual student preferences and interests. Students learn to govern themselves and find their personal purpose for learning instead of sitting passively, logging “seat time.” Students have the opportunity to move at their own pace and work at a level that is appropriately challenging for them without being judged, held back, or labeled.  

How much does microschooling cost? 

In a growing number of states, microschooling is supported by a new type of funding called an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA). This is when the state provides access to all or part of the funds it would have spent on your child had you enrolled them in their neighborhood public school. Parents can choose to homeschool, microschool, or private school their children with the use of these funds and very minimal restrictions. ESA programs are overseen by the state education department, and transactions are monitored to ensure that funds are spent on education supplies, tutoring, tuition, curricula, therapies, or other appropriate uses. However, there is no requirement to learn specific content or participate in standardized testing (in most states).

Check out our post about ESAs to learn more!

If you want more information about how to find a microschool or, better yet—how to start your own microschool, watch our Microschooling 101 video!