Summary
More students have enrolled in charter schools in the United States since the COVID-19 pandemic, while traditional public school enrollment has decreased. Charter schools operate with greater flexibility than traditional public schools, which has attracted more families seeking different educational environments.
Key Facts
- Charter school enrollment increased by 492,210 students between the 2019-2020 and 2024-2025 school years.
- Charter schools operate in nearly all states, offering tuition-free education and receiving public funding.
- Charter schools function under a charter, which allows for flexibility in curriculum and rules compared to traditional public schools.
- Traditional public school enrollment fell from 50.8 million in 2020 to 49.6 million students by 2022.
- Public school enrollment is projected to decrease by 5% by 2031 to 46.9 million students.
- Charter schools currently have 3.8 million students, the highest number ever recorded.
- 41 out of 43 states reported more students in charter schools.
- Parents cite safety and academic rigor as reasons for choosing charter schools over traditional public schools.
