How is a charter school different from a private school?
Charter schools are different than private schools in that they don't charge tuition. Charter schools are public schools. Private schools typically charge tuition, which is how they make their money to be able to afford their teachers, and be able to educate the kids. Charter schools do not charge tuition as their funding comes straight from the state and federal governments. Secondly, private schools by and large, have admission requirements. They possibly test the kids to get them into the schools and they're also able to pick and choose what students come into private schools. Charter schools as public schools cannot. There are no admissions requirements for charter schools. In fact, if there are more students who want to attend a charter school than there are spaces, a public random lottery must be held. It gives anybody an opportunity and a chance to attend a charter school. Private schools are different in that way. There is a complete misconception that charter schools are private schools. That's something we really need to dispel, because charter schools are public schools. Anybody can attend from the kid with the most need, for example a student with special needs or special education. Those students have every right to attend a public charter school. By law, no charter school can deny a student attending the school because of needs, race, colour, creed, orientation, or even where they live. A student who lives 18 miles down the road can attend if he or she desires.
