Charter schools are publicly funded schools that operate independently of the established state school system in which they are located. They are schools of choice that commit to obtaining specific educational objectives in return for a charter to operate a school. Charter schools are exempt from significant state or local regulations related to operation and management but otherwise adhere to regulations of public schools. They are publicly accountable and rely on families choosing to enroll their children, and they must have a written performance contract with the authorized public chartering agency. Charter schools are also autonomous and have more flexibility in the operations and management of the school than traditional public schools.

Some key features of charter schools include:

• They are publicly funded but independently run.
• They are tuition-free schools of choice.
• They are led by principals who have the flexibility to create a school culture that best fits the needs and demands of their surrounding community.
• They offer parents the opportunity to pick a school that best fits the needs of their child.
• They are open to all students regardless of their school zoning.
• They make decisions close to the students, empowering teachers to provide innovative, high-quality instruction and giving them the autonomy to design a classroom that fits their students’ needs.
• They vary in mission and model, serving a wide range of students.
• They are alternatives to traditional public schools.

Charter schools are publicly funded through taxation and operated by privately owned management companies. They are often established, operated, and maintained by for-profit organizations, and are not necessarily held to the same standards as traditional public schools. There is debate on whether charter schools should be described as private schools or state schools.

Charter schools cannot charge tuition or be affiliated with a religious institution. They cannot discriminate against students in enrollment. Students apply to enroll in charter schools, and if more students apply for the charter school than the school’s capacity, a lottery is held to determine which students will be admitted.