Difference Between Charter Schools and Traditional Public Schools

charter schools are schools run by an outside entity not the local school board- they have supervision from th local school board and have certain rules/etc to follow but what *bothers* me is that they are run by an outside entity- could be a business, an organization, etc.
so look at WHO/WHAT is running the school and if you agree w/ their mission statement/philosophy etc.

personally I don't like that charter schools 'take away' from the local school system. they are created to 'add' but philosophically they do not. if 'we' don't like how things are run, then we should overhaul the entire system and not just let a few schools be run however they see fit.

now, in reality, the school you're looking at might be fantastic...do your RESEARCH.

Stay away from anything that is highly academic in kindergarten! Children are not ready for that and it causes a huge brain inbalance between the right and left hemispheres that will actually work against him later on. Let him learn through his senses like playing and mud puddles, clay, pouring, measuring, swinging, sliding, jumping, crawling etc.....If he turns 5 in the summer before school starts keep him out another year and let him start K as a 6 yr old!!!

My simple advice is to attend a meeting with the other parents at the charter school. They will answer your questions and address your concerns.
In basic terms: a charter school is run by the parents, not by the school district. It's more complicated, of course; but you'll find your answers by approaching the other parents. Same as Home Schooling. And you'll meet some fabulous people with great kids for yours to socialize with.

The diff is smaller classroom sizes and more group time and one one time too. I had to swithch my girls this year to a chater school . Imagine school of palmer ranch. Very good and don't only focus on testing all year. Sometimes testing so much stresses kids out. Good luck

Charter school are suppose to be smaller classes, nut they aren't. My son went to imaagine in St Pete and we pulled him out due to was not learning enough and was behind on his reading bad. We put him in a publc school they tested him the 1st week he was there and he is doing great. With in the 1st month we saw a differen. Also class size at image was 18 to 20 and his public sch is the same and charter schools do not have care for your child when there is breaks and public school do. Good luck

We love our charter school. The small class sizes are great! They focus more on learning then sports. My daughter's charter school does a lot of testing and keeps up to date on where they should be academically. Good luck with your decision.