Charter Schools in NYC: A Growing Phenomenon with Challenges
What is a Charter School?
A charter school is similar to a public school in that it receives public funding, but it differs in that it has more curriculum flexibility and generally receives fewer dollars per pupil than district schools. Each school is overseen by a board of trustees, which can include educators and people from the private sector, under a contract called a charter.
Growing Popularity
Charter school education is becoming increasingly popular. Many charter schools have opened in recent years, not only in New York but around the country. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, public charter school enrollment more than doubled, from 1.8 million to 3.7 million students—an overall increase of 1.9 million students—from 2010 to 2021.
Benefits and Concerns
Many teachers and parents prefer a charter-school education because of the teacher-to-student ratio. "In a charter school, there is usually a class cap at around 20 students, depending on the schools," explained Debbie, a NYC-based teacher who has worked in both charter and public schools. "This means more one-on-one time with each teacher."
However, charter schools are not without their challenges. The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and other educators have said charter schools do not provide enough support for children with special needs. "The UFT represents educators in unionized charter schools," Alison Gendar, a spokesperson for the union, said. "Our concerns are usually centered around the larger charter chains that continue to enroll fewer children with special needs and push out students who don’t fit their definitions of success."
Legislation and Concerns
The UFT supports various legislation in Albany that aims to provide more clarity on charter schools, such as the Charter School Transparency and Accountability Act. This bill, if passed into law, would give transparency and accountability to charter schools regarding enrollment targets, discipline policies, management, and operation of the charter school, charter reserve funds, and other key issues.
Conclusion
Charter schools in NYC are a growing phenomenon, with over 280 schools located throughout the five boroughs. While they offer benefits such as smaller class sizes and more one-on-one time with teachers, they also face challenges, including concerns about support for children with special needs and financial transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a charter school?
A: A charter school is similar to a public school in that it receives public funding, but it differs in that it has more curriculum flexibility and generally receives fewer dollars per pupil than district schools.
Q: How many charter schools are there in NYC?
A: As of 2025, there are 351 charter schools in New York, with nine more approved but not yet open.
Q: What are the benefits of charter schools?
A: Charter schools offer benefits such as smaller class sizes and more one-on-one time with teachers.
Q: What are the concerns about charter schools?
A: Concerns about charter schools include lack of support for children with special needs and financial transparency.
Q: What is the UFT’s stance on charter schools?
A: The UFT represents educators in unionized charter schools and has concerns about charter schools enrolling fewer children with special needs and pushing out students who don’t fit their definitions of success.
