81.Charter school

Charter schools are public schools that operate independently from a district. They often offer a more specialized or experimental program. They are still free and the school may not turn away applicants. If the school receives more applicants than it has room for, most use a system like a lottery to decide whom to admit, and whom to put on a waiting list.

Charter schools are elementary or secondary schools in the United States that receive public money but have been freed from some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter.


While charter schools provide an alternative to other public schools, they are part of the public education system and are not allowed to charge tuition. Where space at a charter school is limited, admission is frequently allocated by lottery based admissions. Some charter schools provide a curriculum that specializes in a certain field-- e.g. arts, mathematics, etc.


Others simply seek to provide a better and more efficient general education than nearby public schools.Some charter schools are founded by teachers, parents, or activists who feel restricted by traditional public schools. State-run charters (schools not affiliated with local school districts) are often established by non-profit groups, universities, and some government entities. Additionally, school districts sometimes permit corporations to open chains of for-profit charter schools