All About Online Charter Schools: Is a Charter School Right for My Student?

July 30, 2024 byJulie Hersum

4 min to read

A young student builds a robort for a class at Connections Academy

When helping students find the right educational path, families have more options today than ever before. Among these choices, charter schools have become a compelling and popular alternative to traditional public schools.

What Are Online Charter Schools?

Online charter schools, or cyber charter schools, are public schools that operate independently from the traditional public school system and are conducted in an online learning environment instead of brick-and-mortar campuses. They’re generally granted more flexibility in how they operate and are known for creating school cultures that mirror and support their surrounding community by encouraging students to meet higher performance standards on average than students at traditional public schools. Charter schools that don’t make the grade are subject to closure.

Are Online Charter Schools Free?

Publicly funded charter schools typically don’t charge tuition for residents of the states in which they operate.

Are Charter Schools Good?

Charter schools have become some of the highest performing public schools in the U.S. In 2023, data from CREDO—the Center for Research on Education Outcomes—at Stanford University revealed that, over a four-year period, charter school students ended up with an average of 16 more days’ worth of learning in reading and six more days’ worth of learning in math than their counterparts at traditional public schools.

Online Charter Schools vs. Traditional Public Schools

Both charter schools and traditional public schools aim to provide quality education, however, approaches can differ in important ways.

Curriculum

Traditional public schools are governed by school districts and state education departments and must follow district policies. Charter schools, on the other hand, operate under the terms of “charters” granted by authoritative bodies, such as state or local boards of directors and must meet the performance metrics outlined in their charters.

Student Body

Public schools traditionally enroll students based on their geographic boundaries, so your student must enroll in the public school that serves the region associated with your primary residence. However, charter schools generally accept students from all districts within a state. While public schools may not have a cap for how many students can enroll in each grade level, charter schools may hold lotteries when more students apply than there are spots available.

Is an Online Charter School Right for My Student?

Plenty of students thrive in traditional school settings. However, for many others, charter schools offer unique opportunities that better meet the student’s learning needs and academic goals. Choosing the right school can have a significant impact on your student’s education. Here are some questions you and your student should consider while evaluating your options.What is your student’s learning style? Online charter schools are ideal for self-motivated students skilled at managing their time. Will your student thrive in a less structured environment, or will they need more consistent, direct oversight?

What is your student’s learning style? Online charter schools are ideal for self-motivated students skilled at managing their time. Will your student thrive in a less structured environment, or will they need more consistent, direct oversight?
Can someone at home serve as the student’s Learning Coach? If your student does work more effectively with regular direction, is there someone at home able to provide the necessary support? Younger students may need more guidance and supervision to stay on track.
Does your family have the right technology? When learning online, students must have reliable internet access and the appropriate technology to keep up with their learning.
Does the online charter school offer the right academic experience for your student? Teaching methods and curricula can vary significantly from one online charter school to the next. You’ll want to make sure the school’s curriculum aligns with your student’s educational interests and goals.

Online charter schools can be a valuable alternative learning environment for your student. Understanding the differences between different online charter schools, the curricula they offer, and honestly evaluating your child's needs will help you make an informed decision to find an educational opportunity that meets your student’s needs in a setting where they can thrive academically and personally.

Is There an Online Charter School Near Me?

If you’re looking for a charter school—especially an online one—the odds of finding one near you are strongly in your favor.

Connections Academy operates online public charter schools in 31 states across the US. To learn more about Connections Academy and its curriculum, including student stories, sample schedules, and an online class demo, download Connections Academy’s Online School eGuide. Or consider joining a virtual information session to hear about personal experiences and pertinent topics related to online learning.