NYC public charter schools continue to see growth in enrollment as families seek high-quality public school options. Since New York City’s first charter school opened in 1999, the charter school sector has grown to encompass 274 schools across all 5 boroughs, serving an estimated 142,500 students.

NYC Charter School Enrollment & Growth

Data shows that charter school student enrollment continues to grow year over year—including an 8.5% increase over the last three school years, despite district school enrollment declining.

CHARTER SCHOOL GROWTH IN NEW YORK CITY, 2019-2023

*Source: NYSED Data, 2022-23, K-12

K-12 ENROLLMENT, CHARTER V. DISTRICT, 2019-20 TO 2022-23

*Source: NYSED Data, 2022-23, K-12

90%

of students in NYC charter schools are Black and Hispanic

15%

of NYC public school students attended a charter school in the 2022-23 school year

57%

ELL/MLL enrollment growth in NYC charter schools since the 2019-20 school year

1 in 4

Bronx kindergarteners attend a charter school

New York City Charter Cap & Status of the Cap

The Charter Center is leading efforts to once and for all eliminate the arbitrary cap on the number of charter schools that can open in New York. We are working toward the day when every child in New York can attend the public school of their choice.

The Charter Center monitors the number of charters still available in New York City and New York State. New York has capped the number of charter schools that can open in the state at 460. As of March 4, 2019, there are zero charters available to be issued in New York City.