Charter Schools in New York City: Providing a Better Education for Students
What Are Charter Schools?
More than 100,000 charter schools across the city are here to give children a leg up in their educational careers. Charter schools are independently-operated public schools accountable for advancing student achievement. New York City’s 281 charter schools are independent of the New York City Department of Education, but if they don’t meet certain student achievement standards, they can be closed. This combination of freedom and accountability allows charter teachers to adapt their classrooms based on their students’ needs while pushing for high academic achievement.
Benefits of Charter Schools
New York City’s charter schools have become a popular option for many students, especially from minority and economically disadvantaged families. Charter schools offer students opportunities for academic success that unfortunately cannot be said for some of the city’s public schools. We’ve included a list of charter school benefits below to help you and your family consider if a charter school is the right fit for your student!
Myth-Busting: Do Charter Schools Succeed at the Expense of District Schools?
A common myth is that as New York’s charter schools succeed, the city’s traditional public schools fail as a result. A 2018 study by the Manhattan Institute concluded that "competition from New York City charter schools has either no effect, or a positive effect" on the city’s traditional public schools. In fact, district schools have improved significantly as charter schools have spread throughout New York City’s five boroughs. Funding for district schools has also increased as the student population at charter schools has gone up over the years.
Charter Schools: Specialized and Flexible
Charter teachers adapt their classrooms and teaching methods to the current needs of their students. This freedom in the curriculum, teaching style, school missions, and policies resembles that of private schools, enabling charter schools to provide the very best approach to academics that fits their students. Though teachers have flexibility, charter schools are held accountable for levels of high academic achievement. If charter institutions underperform, they can be closed.
Charter Schools: Ample Funding
About $18,340 is spent per pupil at New York’s charter schools (as per most recent NYSED Public School Data). Though this is less than the average funding per pupil in traditional district schools, charter schools and teachers clearly make the most out of their budget. This funding by not-for-profit Boards of Trustees means that parents of charter students don’t have to spend money out of their own pockets to ensure their child receives a great education!
Charter Schools: Admissions by Lottery
New York City’s charter schools admit students through a lottery system; they cannot select their students. This process gives students from all backgrounds and education levels an equal opportunity to attend and achieve academic success at charter schools.
Conclusion
Charter schools in New York City offer a unique combination of freedom and accountability, allowing teachers to adapt to the needs of their students while pushing for high academic achievement. With ample funding and a lottery-based admissions system, charter schools provide a great option for students from all backgrounds to achieve academic success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the purpose of charter schools?
A: Charter schools are independently-operated public schools accountable for advancing student achievement.
Q: How many charter schools are there in New York City?
A: There are 281 charter schools in New York City.
Q: How do charter schools fund their operations?
A: Charter schools are funded by not-for-profit Boards of Trustees, which means parents don’t have to spend money out of their own pockets to ensure their child receives a great education.
Q: Can charter schools select their students?
A: No, charter schools admit students through a lottery system and cannot select their students.
