Private schools are run by independent organizations and paid for by the student’s family. Charter schools are a free category of public school with more autonomy in curriculum and programming. The main differences between private and charter schools are related to their costs, educational oversight, and goals.
Cost: Free vs. Tuition-Based
One of the main differences affecting families choosing between private and charter schools is the cost. All charter schools are free to attend, as they are funded by a blend of tax dollars and fundraising or grants. Private schools, however, are funded by the family paying tuition. They also often require fees for items such as books and uniforms.
Oversight: State Regulated vs. Independently Run
Charter schools are overseen by the state government. This means that all students are required to meet the educational standards set by that state. Charter schools have stringent requirements, and if they are not meeting them, the school may be shut down. Private schools do not have that level of oversight. They are required to register with their state, but do not have to meet any licensing requirements.
Enrollment: Open Lottery vs. Selection
Charter schools are open to any student who resides in that state. They do not have any admission requirements. If enrollment exceeds capacity, students are selected by a lottery process. Private schools do not have oversight on admission other than adhering to federal non-discrimination laws where applicable in their situation. Admission is often determined by ability to pay the fees, scholastic achievement, and an admissions process which may include interviews and academic tests.
Curriculum: State Guided vs. School Decided
Both private and charter schools have more flexibility in determining curriculum than a traditional public school does. Both models are able to experiment with different educational innovations, leading to rapid feedback and adjustments for what is working for their local population. However, because charter schools have to meet state standards, their curriculum is guided to specific educational standards, while private schools have complete freedom of curriculum.
Charter vs. Private Schools at a Glance:
| ITEM | CHARTER | PRIVATE |
| Free to attend for all students | YES | NO |
| Curriculum is flexible | YES | YES |
| Must meet state testing standards | YES | NO |
| Overseen by state educational system | YES | NO |
Learn More About Charter Schools
If you are interested in exploring charter school options, Alliance College-Ready Public Schools is one of the largest charter school networks in Los Angeles. You can explore how charter schools like Alliance prepare their scholars for college through innovative classes and quality teacher preparation.
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