Are Charter Schools Private Schools?

It’s one of the most common questions we hear: “Are charter schools private?” The short answer is no. Charter schools are public schools. They are free, open to all, and funded by taxpayer dollars—just like traditional district schools. But because there’s still a lot of confusion, let’s break down where the mix-ups come from and what really makes charters different.

What Charter Schools Share With Private Schools

Here’s where the confusion usually starts: charter schools often feel different from the big neighborhood district school. They might have a special focus (like STEM, the arts, or dual language), or they might be smaller and more flexible. That uniqueness can make them look like private schools, which are also designed around a particular model.

But that’s where the similarities end.

What Makes Charter Schools Public, Not Private

1. No Tuition – Private schools charge tuition; charter schools do not. Every charter school in Indiana is free to attend.
   
   
2. Open to All – Private schools can set entrance requirements or interviews. Charter schools cannot. If more families apply than there are seats, charters hold a random lottery. No testing, no hand-picking.
   
   
3. Public Funding – Private schools rely on tuition and sometimes vouchers. Charters are publicly funded. Just like district schools, the funding follows the student.
   
   
4. Accountability – Private schools answer to their own boards. Charters answer to a government authorizer (like the mayor’s office or the state) and can be shut down if they aren’t meeting academic and financial standards.
   
   

A Real Example

Take KIPP Indy, a public charter school on the east side of Indianapolis. KIPP doesn’t charge families a dime, and any student in Indiana can apply. It’s overseen by a nonprofit board of community members and held accountable by the Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation. Compare that to a nearby private Catholic school: families pay tuition, admissions are selective, and oversight comes from the diocese rather than the state. Both are schools. Both serve kids. But one is part of the public system, the other is private.

Why This Matters

The label “private” often makes people think charter schools are exclusive or only serve certain families. The opposite is true. Charter schools were created to expand access to quality public education—especially for families who might otherwise have had only one school option.

So next time someone asks if a charter school is a private school, the answer is simple: Charters are public schools. Always have been. Always will be.

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