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Cost: Free vs. Tuition-Based

One of the main differences affecting families choosing between private and charter schools is the cost. All charter schools are free to attend, as they are funded by a blend of tax dollars and fundraising or grants. Private schools, however, are funded by the family paying tuition. They also often require fees for items such as books and uniforms. 

Oversight: State Regulated vs. Independently Run

Charter schools are overseen by the state government. This means that all students are required to meet the educational standards set by that state. Charter schools have stringent requirements, and if they are not meeting them, the school may be shut down. Private schools do not have that level of oversight. They are required to register with their state, but do not have to meet any licensing requirements.

Enrollment: Open Lottery vs. Selection 

Charter schools are open to any student who resides in that state. They do not have any admission requirements. If enrollment exceeds capacity, students are selected by a lottery process. Private schools do not have oversight on admission other than adhering to federal non-discrimination laws where applicable in their situation. Admission is often determined by ability to pay the fees, scholastic achievement, and an admissions process which may include interviews and academic tests.

Curriculum: State Guided vs. School Decided

Both private and charter schools have more flexibility in determining curriculum than a traditional public school does. Both models are able to experiment with different educational innovations, leading to rapid feedback and adjustments for what is working for their local population. However, because charter schools have to meet state standards, their curriculum is guided to specific educational standards, while private schools have complete freedom of curriculum.

Charter vs. Private Schools at a Glance:

Learn More About Charter Schools

If you are interested in exploring charter school options, is one of the largest charter school networks in Los Angeles. You can explore how charter schools like Ģ����Ƶ prepare their scholars for college through innovative classes and quality teacher preparation. 

Sources:

• The Ģ����Ƶ

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Charter schools, especially Ģ����Ƶ College-Ready Public Schools network, exist to address these sociocultural, academic, economic, and situational challenges first-generation college students face.

Ģ����Ƶ schools offer: 

• College-preparatory focused classes��
• Learning interventions to catch students up with peers
• AP courses for deeper understanding
• Expectation-setting experiences
• Building shared community values��
• Family education

This preparation works; compared to students from similar socio-economic backgrounds, Ģ����Ƶ scholars are 3.5x more likely to graduate from college. 

Building the Educational Foundation

Preparing first-generation scholars for college begins in the classroom. 

At Ģ����Ƶ schools, the curriculum is based on twin goals. The first is to ensure all students graduate from high school. The second is to prepare them to be accepted to and graduate from college. This includes building the skills, mindset, and support system to succeed in a rigorous college curriculum. 

Intervention classes provide additional help to scholars struggling in subjects such as math or English language development. Scholars who want to focus on a particular strength can take Advanced Placement courses in the topic or even apply to a school with a specialized focus such as STEM or leadership.

Creating an Experience of Expectation

One of the most important differentiators at Ģ����Ƶ is that students are referred to as “college-ready scholars,” building an identity of respect and capability from their first moment. By providing personalized college counseling and opportunities to visit college campuses, Ģ����Ƶ builds a community with a shared expectation of higher education success.  

Supporting the Network

Ģ����Ƶ offers multiple programs that help ease the transition to college. Families can attend workshops to learn about financial aid and applying for scholarships. Ģ����Ƶ hires education professionals from the alumni network to show current scholars models of success from their community.  Alumni and their families also offer programs to the current community, discussing how to best navigate the high school and college experience. 

Results

By building the skills and mindset that first-generation college students need to have a successful higher education experience, an incredible 95% of Ģ����Ƶ scholars graduate from high school and are accepted to college. 

Learn more about how Ģ����Ƶ supports first-generation college students and support our work at The Ģ����Ƶ.��

Sources:

• The Ģ����Ƶ��
• The Ģ����Ƶ��

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Step 1: Research Your Local Options

Start by identifying the charter schools near you. Look at grade levels served, location, school culture, and any specialized programs (STEM, arts, dual language, and so on) that fit what your child’s needs.

Step 2: Compare School Performance

Once you have a shortlist, compare how the schools perform. Sites like publish rankings and data on graduation rates, test scores, and college readiness, which can help you narrow down your top choice.

Step 3: Apply Online, for Free

Charter schools are public schools, so there are no entrance exams and no application fees. You’ll fill out a short online form for each school you’re interested in.

What Happens After You Apply?

Because charter schools are public and free to attend, they can’t turn students away based on ability or background. If a school gets more applications than it has seats, admission is decided by lottery rather than by merit. Some schools also use a rolling lottery, meaning applications are accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis rather than by a single deadline.

Quick FAQ

Is there a cost to apply or attend? No. All California charter schools are public schools, so applying and attending are both free.

Do I need to meet any requirements to apply? No entrance requirements. Any family within the eligible attendance area can apply.

What if my student isn’t selected? Most schools maintain a waitlist and continue to admit students as spots open throughout the year, especially at schools with rolling admissions.

Ready to Apply? Start With Ģ����Ƶ

If you’re weighing your options in Los Angeles, is one of the largest charter networks in the city, with 25 tuition-free schools and a 96% college acceptance rate among its scholars. Enrollment uses the same free, rolling lottery process described above, no entrance fees or requirements.

Sources:

• The Ģ����Ƶ

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Therefore, charter schools, schools that were given a “charter” by an authorizing district, were given the freedom to create an individualized school curriculum that meets the needs of their particular population in exchange for oversight and accountability. More freedom allows charter schools to meet their students where they are and help them get where they need to go most efficiently and effectively.

Why Prioritize Autonomy?

The autonomy that charter schools have to operate independently and prioritize community -specific curriculum is important to Ģ����Ƶ schools. It allows schools to respond quickly to educational best practice findings and use research-backed experimental educational practices.

If a large population of learners is not native English speakers, schools can employ strategies like Ģ����Ƶ’s robust English Language Development (ELD) program. It integrates English learning across the daily curriculum and builds in extra support for teachers and small group intervention for the scholars who need extra help. 

Charter schools such as Ģ����Ƶ can craft their curriculum to directly serve the needs of their scholars, and Ģ����Ƶ has built a reputation for creating college-ready scholars through two decades of dedicated curriculum development. 

The Ģ����Ƶ Distinction

Ģ����Ƶ College-Ready Public Schools specialize in preparing their scholars for higher education. Scholars entering the Ģ����Ƶ schools know that they and their families will be part of a community that shares this goal. 

This priority shapes curriculum planning across Ģ����Ƶ schools:

• Curriculum priorities like the ELD programs prioritize specific needs
• Small group classes are available when scholars need more assistance than the standard in-class curriculum would provide
• Teachers have special training to ensure curriculum priorities are understood and being met
• Additional programs exist to help families deal with specific challenges, such as meal programs on school holidays or homeless and foster care liaisons
• Ģ����Ƶ scholars get the opportunity to visit colleges, even as early as middle school��

Specialization Schools

Though all Ģ����Ƶ schools prioritize preparing scholars for higher education, individual charter schools can also have a special curriculum focus or concentration. Scholars who are especially interested in pursuing a certain area of their education can apply to schools that specialize in that area. 

is a great example of specialization in practice. It is consistently ranked among LA’s top charter high schools. Scholars who want to pursue a higher education degree in STEM will not only receive the standard classes that prepare all Ģ����Ƶ scholars for their college programs, but also focused math and science classes for all four years.

And the frames the same college-readiness through the lens of leadership, offering courses to develop innovation and advocacy.��

Potential scholars can choose to apply to the school of their choice through Ģ����Ƶ’s website.

Changing the Landscape of Education

The freedom in curriculum at Ģ����Ƶ allows students and families who share the value of prioritizing college-readiness while supporting the full mental and physical health of the scholar to self-select into a similar supportive community.

Visit the Ģ����Ƶ Foundation to learn more about impact.

Sources:

The Ģ����Ƶ��

What is the Difference Between Charter, Magnet, and Public Schools?��

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Jason is deeply engaged  in supporting Ģ����Ƶ Foundation through philanthropy, mentorship, school visits and strategic connections that help advance opportunities for scholars and educators alike. 

We asked Jason about how his entrepreneurial experience building businesses from the ground up informs his work as a trustee:

“I’ve operated businesses from startup through exit, so most of what a board works on connects to my lived experience. I’m also serious about helping the students. I had a hard time keeping up as a student myself, and I understand the effects of getting left behind. I believe support has to come early, before they fall behind.” 

Why did you decide to join the Ģ����Ƶ Foundation Board of Trustees?

“Spending time with the students and faculty through the mentorship program convinced me.  The kids stood out as confident and clear about their goals for school and their future careers. You don’t see that often at their age. The impact the volunteers and faculty were having on them was obvious. Helping kids find that direction early is something I care about, and joining the board gives me a way to contribute beyond the time I could spend with the students.”

What are your hopes for the Ģ����Ƶ Foundation/Ģ����Ƶ Schools in the coming years?

“To continue producing positive outcomes for students and keep finding innovative ways to teach. With the Foundation’s partnership, we need to keep attracting great educators and giving them the support and room to grow. They’re the ones who actually change kids’ lives.”

Jason is a passionate advocate for Ģ����Ƶ scholars and educators, and we’re grateful for his leadership and continued commitment to expanding opportunities for young people across our community.

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California’s economy has remained resilient, with strong state revenues driven by personal income, corporate, and sales taxes. 

Because public schools, including Ģ����Ƶ schools, are funded primarily through the state budget, strong state revenues should translate into stronger support for schools. If the state is flush, why are many Los Angeles schools hurting for funds in 2026?

The reality is more complex. Geographically-based enrollment declines, unfunded state mandates, and overall cost increases have created significant financial pressure for many Los Angeles schools. 

How Much of California’s Budget Goes to Education?

Though there is a statewide fiduciary commitment to funding education, the precise amount varies each year. 

Since the passage of Proposition 98 in 1988, California has guaranteed a minimum level of funding for K–12 schools and community colleges, typically accounting for roughly 40% of the state budget. Because the funding amount is determined by a percentage of total revenue instead of a set number, California schools directly benefit from more resources when the state is flush with higher tax income. And when there is less cash coming in, schools immediately receive a smaller amount. 

How Does CA State Funding Work?

Through California’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), the state distributes baseline funding for all students, and then additional supplemental funds for special circumstances such as students from low-income communities, in foster care, experiencing homelessness, and English-Language Learners. 

California is a leader in national educational policy reform. The LCFF provides school districts with local control of their general funds. This program has been praised for allowing flexibility in helping distribution match actual local needs. 

However, sometimes state budgets do not precisely align with the requirements that legislators have put in place. At the same time, schools are increasingly expected to implement new programs, reporting requirements, and student support without always receiving dedicated funding to fully sustain them.  In practice, districts are often required to absorb these additional responsibilities within existing funding structures, stretching already limited resources even further. 

Why are Los Angeles Schools at a Disadvantage?

Enrollment is one of the main factors in school funding. A significant portion of school funding is tied to Average Daily Attendance (ADA), meaning schools receive funding based on how many students are consistently attending. Across the state, the average “per-student” allocation is $20,427 per student, the highest ever. However, enrollment is determined by average daily attendance. In Los Angeles, both total enrollment and daily average attendance have had major decreases in the past 7 years. 

Schools across the country experienced sharp enrollment declines following the COVID-19 pandemic, and many districts have still not returned to pre-pandemic attendance levels. Chronic absenteeism has direct negative effects on school funding. 

In Los Angeles, several local factors have compounded these challenges. More than 50,000 people have moved out of the county, the largest city population decline in the US, according to 2024-2025 US Census numbers. The Los Angeles fires displaced many families, and disruptions to the entertainment industry have caused ripple effects in the total population. And many families are cautious about sending students to schools due to immigration enforcement. 

When attendance declines, schools receive less funding, regardless of whether operational costs remain the same or continue to rise. In addition to reduced enrollment, Los Angeles remains one of the most expensive regions in the country, increasing the cost of staffing, facilities, transportation, and student support services. It’s in the top 2% most expensive cities in the country, and the top 11% in the state.

The Ģ����Ƶ Foundation exists to help close the gap between public funding and what scholars truly need to thrive. Through philanthropy, advocacy, and partnership, the Foundation works to ensure that Ģ����Ƶ scholars continue to receive an excellent college-preparatory education, regardless of broader funding challenges facing public schools.��

Sources:

The Ģ����Ƶ��


Understanding California’s Budget and its Impact on Schools��





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Today, we are proud to announce our��. Through the collective generosity of our Ģ����Ƶ community, we awarded $310,000 in scholarships to 37 remarkable scholars.

Below are three of this year’s recipients:

Andy Salvatierra, Carson Scholar
Ģ����Ƶ Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy High School, Class of 2026
Yale University, Class of 2030
Intended Field of Study: Chemical Engineering & Economics

Angel Lopez, Leaders of Change Scholar
Ģ����Ƶ Collins Family College-Ready High School,��Class of 2026
California State University, Dominguez Hills, Class of 2030
Intended Field of Study: Business Management & Economics

Karina Jaimes, College Care Package Scholar
Ģ����Ƶ Margaret M. Bloomfield Technology Academy High School, Class of 2026
University of California, San Diego, Class of 2030
Intended Field of Study: Pharmacological Chemistry

What inspires me most about these scholars is both their excellence and perspective. They each carry a deep awareness of the world around them, a commitment to something beyond themselves, and a belief that their experiences are not limitations, but catalysts for impact.

Behind them is a community of nearly 300 supporters, volunteers, and partners who show up and invest in what’s possible. We are especially grateful to the Ģ����Ƶ Foundation’s Scholar Success Board for championing the Gayle Miller Leaders of Change Scholarships, the Johnny Carson Foundation, and to all our partners whose belief in our scholars continues to expand access and opportunity.

Thank you for believing in their brilliance.

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