About Charter Schools
Because they are independent from the NYC Department of Education, charter schools have greater flexibility in the way they operate. Charter schools are free to develop their own academic program and student supports, choose staff, set educational goals, offer a longer school day and school year, and establish their own standards for student behavior. Charter schools are required to raise student achievement. If they do not meet their performance goals they can be closed.
Charter schools provide an alternative to district schools. Charter schools allow families the opportunity to choose a school based upon what they think will work best for their child. Many charter schools also tend to:
- emphasize not only the core subjects of English and math, but also the arts, science, and languages;
- have longer school days and year;
- be smaller overall, providing a more personalized approach to education.
New York City charter schools outperform and outgain traditional district schools in both ELA and math annually. Black and Hispanic charter students also continue to outperform their district peers. In math, Black charter students are more than twice as likely to be proficient than their district peers, and Hispanic students are nearly twice as likely to be proficient.
For example, in the Bronx, where many charter schools are concentrated and continue to grow, charter student performance far exceeds that of district school students. In 2022, 54.7% of charter students scored proficient on New York State’s ELA exam compared to just 33.2% for district students. The same holds true on the State Math exam, where 44.2% of charter students scored proficient as compared to 20.9% of district students. Overall, 13 of the top 15 schools on New York State’s ELA (2022) exam were charter schools. For more information on how charter schools performed on state assessments, see our data dashboard.
No. They are free public schools.
Yes. All charter schools have outlined English Language Learner (ELL) supports in their authorized charter agreement. A majority of charter schools provide sheltered English instruction and English as a New Language (ENL) support, while a few offer dual language programs. Families should speak directly to school leadership to get a better understanding of the instructional strategies they use to support the academic success of English Language Learners (ELLs).
Yes, charter schools work to meet the goals and objectives outlined in students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEP). However, just as with district schools, not every charter school provides an appropriate placement for every child. A majority of charter schools have appropriate placements and programs for children with less restrictive environments written into their special education program, while some offer a wider array of placements and services.
As each charter school is independently run, expectations differ from school to school. Most charter schools are committed to providing their students with structured and safe environments where they can focus on learning. Many charter schools require their students to commit to a set core of values centered on respect, hard work and achievement. Some charter schools also require students to wear uniforms.
To help families determine if a charter school is the right fit for their child, they should read about a charter school’s mission and education program by visiting its website or calling or visiting the school directly. The Charter Center provides contact information for each charter school in our map feature. After reviewing your top charter school choices, we recommend families attend an open house or schedule a tour with each school. Not only does this enable families to get a better feel for the school’s staff and culture, but they also provide the opportunity to ask questions in person.
Yes, almost every charter school encourages family involvement in the school and in their child’s education. Some charter schools have parent representatives on their boards; others work with families through a Parent Association.
There are three easy ways to apply to a charter schools.
1. Use the Common Online Charter School Application to apply to multiple schools at once. The application is open from October 1 through June 30 each year.
2. Visit the school’s website directly to apply online or download a hard copy of its application.
3. Stop by the school to pick up an application or call the school and ask staff to mail you an application.
ABOUT ENROLLMENT
No, charter schools cannot request this documentation.
No. Charter schools are free and open to all children, regardless of their academic skills or needs. There are never any tests, interviews or transcripts required to apply to a charter school. Charter schools must admit students on a first-come, first-served basis. However, when more students apply than there are seats available, charter schools are required to hold random admissions lotteries.
This depends on the individual school and the grade levels they serve. Pre-K (UPK) is the earliest entry point for some charter schools, but most begin in Kindergarten. Typically children must turn 4-years-old by December 1 of the year they are admitted to a Pre-K program and must turn 5-years-old by December 31 of the year they are admitted to Kindergarten. Check with the individual school you are applying to for more information.
Yes. Families can apply separately to as many charter schools as they want. Please note, by law NYC charter schools must give preference to students who live within the Community School District (CSD) where the charter school is located. Families can find out which CSD they reside in by typing in their address on our Find a Charter School page. Families can apply to multiple schools at once through the Charter Center’s Common Online Charter School Application from October 1 – June 30 only.
Yes, although schools must give admissions preference to students located in their CSD, there is typically room to admit students outside of their district.
Each school sets its own application deadline, but most schools require that applications be in before April 1 for a child’s placement in August/September of the new school year. Families can still apply after April 1 though. If there are still seats available in the school, students will be admitted on a rolling basis. Families should inquire with individual schools about their deadlines. The Charter Center does not accept applications.
The lottery is an admissions process required by New York State law that is held when there are more student applications to a charter school than seats available. The lottery randomly selects from all applicants for admission. Students who are not selected in the lottery will be placed on a waiting list for spaces that may become available in the future.
Each school sets its own lottery date. Most school admission lotteries are held in April for placement in the fall of that same year. Students who seek admission after the lottery date may be placed on the waiting list. If there are vacancies and no waiting list, then seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes. Charter schools are required to offer a lottery preference to siblings of enrolled students and to students who reside in the local Community School District (CSD). Families can find their CSD at www.nyccharterschools.org/charter-school-search. Charter schools may also offer preferences for students who are academically at risk, including those from low-income families, English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and children of school staff. Charter school staff preference is limited to 15% of the school’s entire student body. Lottery preferences vary by charter school.
No, your child does not need to be present for the application submission or the lottery. Charter schools will contact families to alert them to their acceptance and to begin the enrollment process.
Charter schools will contact families directly with either a letter or a phone call (or both) to let them know their child has been accepted. Families will then be required to contact the school in order to confirm they want to accept the seat and enroll their child.
No, students who are enrolled in a charter school will be able to remain there in future years. Families must let the school know that they plan to return each year.
Siblings of children in charter schools must still apply to a charter school. They will, however, receive preference in the lottery and are likely to get in if there is space in the school.
No. Charter schools are independent from one another. If families want to move their child from one charter school to another charter school, they will need to go through the application process for the new school they wish to move to.
No. Any time a child moves from one school to another, families have to go through the enrollment process required by the next school. However, if a school provides elementary grades at one site and middle school grades at another site, that child will have the right to move to the middle school from the elementary school.
The Charter Center map feature allows you to search for schools near your home address, in your Community School District, by borough and more. Find a Charter School now.
