At no time in history has the issue of school choice been a hotter topic. On July 4th of this year, the federal government passed a law that includes a national private school choice provision. As part of “One Big Beautiful Bill”, and signed by President Trump, this provision marks the first nationwide private school choice program funded by the federal government.
All over the country, school choices have increased over the last several decades. In fact, in just the last year alone, 60% of parents in the U.S. have searched for new schools. Many are overwhelmed because they want the very best opportunities for their children, but aren’t sure which choice would provide them. Parents can choose their neighborhood public schools, charter schools, private schools, virtual schools, or homeschooling for their children.
In this blog, we’ll look at a simple, side-by-side comparison of the most impactful differences between charter schools and private schools. We’ll compare:
- Funding and Costs
- Curriculum and Teaching Philosophy
- Enrollment and Admissions
- Accountability and Oversight
- Teacher Certification Requirements
Definitions at a Glance
What is a charter school?
A charter school is a publicly funded school that is tuition-free for parents. It’s independently run and often provides scholars with an innovative curriculum that is not available in traditional public schools.
What is a private school?
A private school is an independently operated school that is privately funded — families must pay tuition for their children to attend. Some private schools are secular, and others are based on a set of religious tenets.
Funding and Costs of Charter vs. Private Schools
Charter schools are funded by the same government money that funds traditional public schools, except for local property taxes. Charter schools do not receive funds from property taxes or school levies. However, they do receive assistance in the form of grants, donations, and community support.
Private schools charge families tuition. Parents may use school vouchers to help pay the tuition; however, they usually do not cover all the costs incurred. Parents incur extra fees for the classroom, extracurricular activities, music programs, testing, technology, textbooks and supplies, transportation, and uniforms.
Curriculum and Teaching Philosophy
One of the reasons charter schools have become such a magnet in recent years is their innovative and unique curricula. Unavailable in the traditional schools, scholars in charter schools immerse themselves in a fine arts curriculum, or Classical Education, or a STEM-focused ideology, just to name three examples. There are many more teaching philosophies and focuses within our charter schools. Even though these curricula have a different emphasis than that of traditional schools, they do align with state standards and offer studies in core subjects.
The Leman Academy of Excellence is an example of a charter school thriving with a Classical Education approach in teaching. This time-tested approach, used since the days of the ancient Greeks and only changed at the beginning of the 20th century, immerses scholars in classical literature, Socratic discussions, and practices in rhetoric. Leman Academy is a K-8 charter school with campuses in Arizona and Colorado, and has a virtual school available to any student residing in Arizona.
On the other hand, private schools are not required to follow the state’s curriculum, but have the freedom to design their own. However, they must adhere to the same operational standards that apply to traditional school districts. Their curricula and philosophies vary from school to school. For example, some private high schools are focused on college-preparatory education, and others are more focused on a science-oriented curriculum. Others are affiliated with a particular religion and include studies in theology.
With such a variety of schools to choose from, parents desiring the best for their children have many options to consider.
Enrollment and Admissions
Once parents have chosen the school they believe will be the best fit for their child, they will need to consider the school’s enrollment and admissions requirements. These also differ between charter and private schools.
Most charter schools have an open-enrollment policy, which means they will accept scholars from anywhere in their state, unlike traditional public schools, in which scholars are assigned to their neighborhood school.
If the demand for a space in the school is high, charter schools select scholars based on a lottery system, and most charter schools have a waiting list when the school has been filled to capacity. The lottery system ensures a random selection. Thus, charter schools are populated by scholars from many different backgrounds.
The Leman Academy of Excellence is a charter school highly sought out by parents in Arizona and Colorado. With locations in Tucson, Oro Valley, Mesa, and Sierra Vista in Arizona and Parker in Colorado, along with a virtual school available statewide in Arizona, Leman Academy is highly accessible for families.
In contrast, private schools are selective in their admissions. They may require interviews and admissions tests. In general, private school populations will not be as diversified as charter and traditional schools. Before emotionally or financially investing in their choice of a private school, parents should thoroughly investigate the school’s enrollment and admissions policies. Since they’re selective, even after adhering to the requirements, there isn’t a guarantee that their children will be accepted.
Accountability and Oversight
The main difference between charter and private schools as to what is taught and how well scholars are learning is who is governing them.
Charter schools answer to their state board of education. In this way, they have the same criteria to meet as the traditional public schools. But in addition, many also have to be accountable to another authorizing board specific to state charter schools. For example, in Arizona, charter schools must meet the criteria of both the Arizona State Board of Education and the Arizona State Board of Charter Schools. School metrics are reported and posted publicly for the community by these governing boards.
However, private schools are not held accountable by their state; there is no public oversight required of them regarding their curricula, teacher certification, and testing standards. But private schools do have to adhere to the state’s oversight regarding scholars’ health and safety and meet minimum operational standards. And, as per federal law, they’re not supposed to discriminate against people based on race, religion, ethnicity, or disability. Having said that, private schools are selective regarding who is admitted.
Teacher Certification Requirements
All teachers in the traditional school districts are required by their state to have received teacher certification. Certificates are given to individuals who have completed teacher training and/or are experts in the subjects they teach.
Out of the U.S., 37 states require teaching certification for charter school teachers. A school’s charter, however, may contain a waiver in the charter contract for state certification, as is the case in Colorado. Regardless, most charter schools do require a bachelor’s degree, and like traditional schools, they will hire teachers who are experts in their field. But 13 states don’t have to comply with a certification standard.
Teachers aren’t required to hold a teaching degree in the private school setting. The criteria they must meet vary from school to school, depending on the school’s focus and educational philosophy.
If you’re a parent considering a school choice, it’s important to consider the training, experience, and professional development opportunities of the school’s teaching staff.
Why a Charter School May be the Right Choice for Your Family
Charter schools are less selective than private schools and do not require tuition. They offer innovative curricula, have well-trained teachers, and are more accountable to authorizing bodies of oversight than traditional schools. It’s worth it to explore the different charter schools in your area to find one that fits your child’s needs, talents, and skills.
The Leman Academy of Excellence, with its Classical Education approach, helps students develop critical thinking skills, leadership skills, confidence, and a solid foundation in academics. It’s a tuition-free school with several campuses throughout Arizona and Colorado.
Final Thoughts
As a parent, it’s important to explore all the options available for your child. Consider your child’s needs, your family values, and educational priorities. Look into the school choices in your area, and find out what they have to offer. When you have investigated the choices available, you’ll find the right fit for your family.
Explore Leman Academy Campuses or Request More Information about Leman.
Simplified Summary
This article explains the differences between charter schools and private schools so families can better understand their options.