Charter Schools or Public Schools?

I don't know anything about these options, so I'm actually going to a seminar on december 11 to learn about it. Just heard about it through my preschool. I live in Venice, so my seminar is geared to the west side, but I think this lady speaks all over town:
Here's the link
http://gomamaguide.com/speaking-events/nss-seminar-info/

It REALLY varies from district to disctrict and from charter school to charter school. My suggestion is that you contact the charter schools in your area, get a tour, and ask if you can speak with parents of current charter school students to get their sense of the pros and cons.

Done both and it really depends on how long the charter school has been in existence. If newly opened, there may be fewer extracurricular activities available, no sports teams, etc. If older and more established, it may be more of a "clique" than your neighborhood public school. They are chartered by the state so they are technically public schools (i.e. using public taxes as funding and governed by the state dept of education or public instruction); but they function more like public “magnet” schools.
In my area of the country, charter schools are seen as a desirable alternative to private schools- that's how selective they are. While magnet schools are usually located in urban areas with special programs to attract students from suburban areas (without having to actually bus them); charter schools are located anywhere anyone wants to start one. That is where the exclusivity and cliquishness arise. If you can get your child in, he/she is guaranteed a spot for the duration. Siblings of those attending also get preference for admission. So although they may say it is a “lottery system”, really it’s not. Know somebody and get your application in early, just like private school. As always, YMMV ;)

I don't really have any advice for you, but I see you are in Vegas and just wanted to let you know that my daughter goes to Explore Knowledge Academy (EKA) and we are very happy with them. They are a project based school which essentially means they do one project a month based on a topic that they are studying. This month it is animal habitats. They get up and present to the whole class. I think it is great for my shy daughter because she will be completely used to public speaking after this. I love doing the projects with my daughter as it is our bonding time. She is learning how to do research, create visuals and write note cards and she is only in 1st grade.

With that said, there are lots of charter schools, so if you are not interested in projects, you can look into something that fits your needs. Sandy Miller teaches robotics and Spanish. Each school has their own area of focus, so think about what you want for your child/children.

Classrooms are smaller and the structure is left more up to the individual teacher. I definitely recommend searching the schools on line. Also, every school has their own "report card" and you have access to them all via CCSD website. You can see how well the students test at those schools and compare them to the state.

Good Luck on your search! Let me know if you have any other questions that I might be able to answer.

Charter school are public schools. They get funding the same as any other school.

Do you have a specific one in mind? I would contact the school and take a tour. Ask them lots of questions. My son goes to a charter school that is K-8 and he's currently in 2nd grade and has been there since Kindergarten. Smaller class sizes (most of his classes have been 12-18 kids). He gets gym, music, art & Spanish (most schools have cut these). The teachers are able to give more individualized needs. He is great a reading/writing and so they are able to accommodate him. Also in his school they do things with kids in other grades. They have something called family groups every other friday and it is K-8 mixed in they do activities together. Same kids every year and the only ones that change are 8th graders that leave and K coming in. I've been really happy with his school.

I would definitely contact the charter school you're interested and a main stream school and tour both and ask the same questions. That's what I did.

Charter schools can be any type of school, so you can't entirely generalize. However, yes, they tend to be smaller, with smaller class sizes. They also tend to require parent participation.

The curriculum is unique to each charter school, so you can't claim they are "better" or "worse." And there are some amazing public schools.

I put my kids in a charter school through 8th grade, and it was wonderful. But they went to a public high school. I wanted a more individualized approach to learning than my kids were getting at their public elementary school, and the charter school provided that.

I suggest you research the school you are interested in, and see if it suits your needs.

My daughter attends Somerset Academy - Emerson in Las Vegas. We love it. She's attended private and public schools and Somerset is by far the best. The class sizes are small relative to the school district and they can set their own standards although all students still must pass the CRT. The emphasis is on a more traditional education. 90 minutes per day are devoted to math and reading, 50 minutes to writing, etc. You can check out their website if you want. My daughter says the classroom is much more structured and the kids more respectful than in the public school. We've been happy with her academic progress this year.

In NV, charter schools are run by the State instead of the County, but have to comply with County regulations. In Washoe County (would assume Clark is similar), the charter schools have to have something that makes them "unique"., i.e., Coral Academy focuses on science, Alpine Academy is high school only and focuses on small classes and individualized attention. I have 5 kids and have done private school, public and charter. Right now, I have one in charter (Alpine) and two elementary in public. I like charter and have sent my kids to a couple of different ones. The ones I've picked have had smaller classes and tend to be more responsive as far as parental participation and involvement (but not necessarily fundraising). I also like the smaller charter school for my high schooler because he has less distractions and less b.s. from other students. This has been a really good fit for him and his personality. You should be able to go on to the Clark County School District's website and look at the charter schools (Washoe County lists both charter and public) and check out the schools and what they "promote" and what the advantage might be for your child.
Good luck!

We LOVE our Charter! Spent 3 awful years at a public school and now feel like we've found the right place.

The teachers at the public school were fine - they were kind and loving to the kids and did the best they could. But they had their hands bound. They all had to teach the same things, the same ways. They were overworked, tired, and when it came to children's behavior - well, it was all out of their hands.

Our Charter school? Pre-K to 8th, only 275 students right now. Class sizes from 10-25. Minimal playground equipment. Older building and furniture. VERY Small library. BUT VERY HAPPY KIDS & PARENTS!
Involved staff and teachers. Reading Specialist. Galileo curriculum and teaching methods (this has made a huge difference). Minimal homework. Non-optional Drama and Music program which includes quarterly performances - love this part - public school did not do performances unless it was a special club. I think it teaches the kids soooooo much.

At the new school behavior is paramount. Even above academics. And because behavior is so important and quickly nipped in the bud if there is a problem, their academics are getting better every day. My children are no longer one in the crowd...or the sore thumb. They are wonderful little people with individual personalities and talents that are recognized and encouraged.

At the old school - we talked with the principal weekly...sometimes 3 times over. At the new school? Once in 3 months.

Now, we could have chosen the big pretty Charter around the other corner. That boasts an 80% testing rate which is well over the states average. But that would have meant class sizes of 30+, no parental involvement, a high teacher and staff turnover rate, and a rumor of a bullying problem.

Our school scored an "A" grade this year - one of the best in the state, despite its small size and minimal funding.

Most importantly - THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT! Do your homework.

My son started at a wonderful charter school this year -- grades 5-12. The thing is, each charter school is different. So, you need to check them out individually. That being said, we're finding it to be a wonderful experience. He is finally being challenged in every subject for the first time since he was at a Montessori preschool. Figure out what your child needs, and then look to see if any of the charter schools in your area can provide that.