Is an Online Charter School Right for Your Student?

July 8, 2025 byKristina Cappetta

3 min to read

A mother is helping her son with homework

Some people know from a young age what they want to do for a career while others benefit from exploring different avenues while they are still in school. But even if you think you have it all figured out career-wise, it can still help to keep an open mind. The focus of any career exploration should be finding something that you like doing, that you’re interested in, and that aligns with your values. But where do you begin to discover what a career is actually like?

What Is a Charter School? 

A charter school is typically a tuition-free, independently operated public school. Charter schools are different than traditional public schools because they operate under a contract with a charter school “authorizer,” which is typically a nonprofit organization, government entity, or a university that ensures the school meets the charter’s mission and academic goals. 

The contract, or charter, is what gives these schools independence from state and local regulations that govern traditional public schools. They typically have more freedom over their curriculum, which is often designed to focus on specific disciplines or special needs and are all outlined in the school’s mission. Examples include charter schools that offer all bilingual classes, focus on STEM/STEAM teachings that are integrated into all aspects of their curriculum, or schools that focus on the performing arts.  

What Is an Online Charter School?

Just like there are public and private online schools, there are also online charter schools. A virtual charter school is a tuition-free public school that operates under a charter but entirely online. These schools follow the same structure as a brick-and-mortar charter school.

Are Charter Schools Successful?

Charter schools and online charter schools are growing in popularity with an increase of more than 80,000 students during the 2023-2024 school year.

Not only are charter schools and online charter schools becoming more popular, but they have also become some of the highest performing public schools in the country. Statistics show that over a four-year period, charter school students had an average of 16 more days of learning in reading and six more days of math learning than their peers enrolled in traditional public schools.

Online Charter School Benefits

If you are thinking of enrolling your student in an online public charter school, consider these benefits:

Flexibility

While students will be required to complete lessons based on the class schedule, online charter schools typically offer a more flexible school scheduleflexible school schedule to fit around your family’s needs.

Personalized Attention

Online schools can provide a more personalized learning experience for your student. Teachers get to know your student and their interests and can adjust lessons to meet their individual needs. 

Focused Disciplines

Many virtual charter schools offer focused discipline areas such as career readiness or STEM/STEAM programs. Others may concentrate on the arts, languages, or technical programs. If your student has a specific interest, a virtual charter school can allow them to focus on that area.

Tuition-Free Education

Since online charter schools are public, there is often no tuition, as with private online schools.

How to Make the Switch to an Online Charter School

You can usually make the switch to an online charter school at any time during the school year, but there are enrollment periods and classes can fill up. Experts suggest waiting until at least the end of the semester before transferring your student.  

If you are looking for an online public charter school, Connections Academy operates online public charter schools in 31 states across the U.S.

To learn more about Connections Academy and its curriculum, and to see an online class demo, download the Connections Academy’s Online School eGuide.