--- title: 'Public, private, and charter schools: How they compare' description: Learn the differences between public schools, charter schools, and private schools. slug: public-private-and-charter-schools-how-they-compare author: The Understood Team reviewer: Melody Musgrove, EdD published: '2019-09-30T18:53:38.403Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/1rGxGeJdpbI5vh1KJJeDmz/4b6d73726bcacae08a2321c0d95d5238/G1049266732.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/public-private-and-charter-schools-how-they-compare lang: en --- # Public, private, and charter schools: How they compare Choosing a school can be tough. It’s not always easy to understand the options outside of public schools. Public, [charter](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/would-my-child-be-better-off-at-a-charter-school), and [private schools](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/all-about-private-schools) offer different benefits for kids. Here’s an overview of each, and the key things to know for kids who learn and think differently. ## Overview **Public schools** - Run by local school districts - Funded by the public - Must follow all state and federal education laws **Charter schools** - Independent public schools - Funded by the public or private donors - Must follow education laws, but have freedom from some rules **Private schools** - Run by private organizations - Funded privately - Little to no government oversight ## Key differences **Kids must apply to attend:** - Public schools: No. But some public magnet schools may require applications. - Charter schools: Yes. - Private schools: Yes. **It’s free to attend:** - Public schools: Yes. - Charter schools: Yes. - Private schools: No. **May reject kids because they have ****disabilities****, or learn and think differently:** - Public schools: No. - Charter schools: No. Charters also can’t “counsel out” or discourage kids from attending. - Private schools: No. But private schools can reject applicants for almost any reason. **Required by law to **[**evaluate students for special education**](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/learning-about-evaluations)**:** - Public schools: Yes. - Charter schools: Yes. - Private schools: No. But by law, local public school districts must [find and evaluate kids in private school](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/6-things-to-know-about-private-schools-and-special-education) that they believe may have disabilities. **Required by law to provide special education services and **[**IEPs**](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-individualized-education-programs)**:** - Public schools: Yes. - Charter schools: Yes. But charters may not have the same specialists or services as traditional public schools. - Private schools: No. However, a local school district may provide services to a child in private school through a [service plan](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-ieps-and-service-plans). **Required by law to provide **[**classroom accommodations**](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/common-classroom-accommodations-and-modifications)**:** - Public schools: Yes. - Charter schools: Yes. - Private schools: Yes. But the required accommodations are more limited. **Required by law to provide **[**504 plans**](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-a-504-plan)**:** - Public schools: Yes. - Charter schools: Yes. - Private schools: No. **General education teachers must be state-certified:** - Public schools: Yes. - Charter schools: Maybe. It depends on the laws of your state. - Private schools: Maybe. It depends on the laws of your state. **Special education teachers must be state-certified:** - Public schools: Yes. - Charter schools: Maybe. It depends on the laws of your state. - Private schools: No. **Specializes in teaching kids who learn and think differently:** - Public schools: No. Public schools serve all students. - Charter schools: Maybe. Some charters focus on kids with ADHD, dyslexia, or other challenges. - Private schools: Maybe. Some [private schools focus on kids with ADHD, dyslexia, or other challenges](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/independent-schools-for-students-with-learning-disabilities-what-you-need-to-know). **Students are required by law to meet **[**state academic standards**](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/state-academic-standards-what-you-need-to-know)**:** - Public schools: Yes. - Charter schools: Yes. - Private schools: No. **Schools are **[**accountable for student achievement under federal law**](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/every-student-succeeds-act-essa-what-you-need-to-know)**:** - Public schools: Yes. - Charter schools: Yes. - Private schools: No. Learn more about [different school options for kids](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/choosing-a-school). --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/public-private-and-charter-schools-how-they-compare#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/public-private-and-charter-schools-how-they-compare","description":"Learn the differences between public schools, charter schools, and private schools."},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/public-private-and-charter-schools-how-they-compare","name":"Public, private, and charter schools: How they compare"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2019-09-30T18:53:38.403Z","description":"Learn the differences between public schools, charter schools, and private schools.","headline":"Public, private, and charter schools: How they compare","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/public-private-and-charter-schools-how-they-compare","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.understood.org/#organization","name":"Understood for All Inc","logo":"https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/307jFAYQevghG8nQMCjh89/ccdbbec895765824db43f6d30b496e83/logo_lockup_navy.jpg"}}] ```