Fact Sheet
- There are currently more than 1.3 million students attending over 4,600 public charters schools in 40 states and the District of Columbia.
- In the 2008-2009 school year 426 new public charter schools opened.
- Public charter schools comprise 3% of all public schools (based on student population) in the United States.
- Among all states, Arizona has the highest market share of students in public charter schools at 9%.
- Among all cities, New Orleans has the highest market share of students in public charter schools at 55%. (Click here for a list of the top school districts.)
- There are limits or caps on the number of charter schools that may exist in 26 states.
- Minority students make up 60% of all students in public charter schools (2006-2007).
- Public charter schools are often short-changed on public funding. Nationally, they receive only 78% in average per-pupil funding of school district average per-pupil funding.
- School choice, fundamental to the public charter school concept has strong public support. A recent national poll (April 2008) revealed that 77% of registered voters favor giving parents more options when choosing a public schools for their children.