Gone are the days of simply choosing between a public or private school. Now your choices are so abundant, the process can be overwhelming. Public, private, parochial, charter, alternative, magnet – the list goes on. Plus, there's a lot of overlap in what these schools provide. The best way to start the decision process is to educate yourself about the different types to see which is right for you and your child.
In essence, a charter school is a tuition-free public school that functions autonomously, much like private schools, under charters approved by state government (or some entity authorized by the state). It must have open enrollment, employ educators with valid teaching licenses, and answers to a governing body.