2024 Best Charter Elementary Schools in California

• Granada Hills, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  1,515 reviews

Sophomore: Granada Hills Charter High School has an intellectually enhancing curriculum that is unique to any other LAUSD or charter school that allows students to succeed further in life. From things such as the STEM program (which I am in) allowing opportunities for AP Physics and Honors Chemistry in freshman year, to increased amounts of extracurriculars from service hour opportunities to endless amounts of successful sports!... Read 1,515 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 5,675

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Works Here: Hardworking teachers and staff. Supportive administrators. Parents are super involved and contribute so much to the school.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 672

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  92 reviews

Parent: Our child has been at Larchmont since kinder and has thrived. He went to the elementary Fairfax campus, a smaller campus with spacious classrooms, and he has loved the bigger Selma campus too. The leadership works hard to create an accessible and friendly atmosphere for the students and parents so there is a strong sense of community. The admin is collaborative and value parent input. The teachers are nurturing and attentive and know when to give students more help or more of a challenge. There are many enrichment classes (art, music, gardening, sports teams, band), a social-emotional curriculum and clubs. Most kids eat the (optional) lunch prepared in the Fairfax kitchen and is SO good. At Selma, our child has delved deeper into academics and developed new interests like government and digital media in clubs. We have seen his intellectual curiosity and independence grow and we look forward to the La Fayette Campus!... Read 92 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,609

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Public School•

• K-7

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: Love the schools vision of inquiry based education and it’s commitment to equity which plays out in many facets of school life from the curriculum to admin priority setting. My kids absolutely adore their teachers and are engaged in what they are learning. I’ve never once heard that school is “boring”. We have also loved the parent community and opportunities to engage such as at Friday All School Meetings. While we would like to see a more robust arts program and expanded extracurriculars we know the school is still in its early years and bouncing back from the impacts of the pandemic. The school leadership is very focused on teacher retention - a national challenge post pandemic - and on closing achievement gaps, which we value tremendously. Looking forward to all the growth to come!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 391

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Los Altos, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  15 reviews

Parent: Teachers work as a team to deliver an integrated curriculum that covers the subjects through selected themes/topics that integrates all the learning. The arts and music teachers standout in terms of what they are able to do to engage all students in amazing productions. They are also innovative, creative, flexible, free to IMPROVE on a continuous basis.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,067

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Rocklin, CA•

• Public School•

• K-6

• grade A+

• Students 106

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  40 reviews

Junior: What I enjoy most is the fact that no boundaries are put between subjects or students. All students can explore the same subject and yet still learn something. They have done an excellent job at involving the arts in our academics, and it has made me understand certain topics more than I used to. What I would change would primarily be how we are prepared for college. The school does fulfill a lot of requirements for us, however we can't add much for extracurriculars, and resources are pretty rare.... Read 40 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 505

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Morgan Hill, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Our kids have been at CSMH since Kindergarten and are now in Middle School. Our experience has been exceptional, and we are incredibly grateful to have made it in with the lottery all those years ago. One of our kids requires special services while another is a high achieving student. BOTH have their needs met, both are challenged, both feel respected and valued, and both are generally happy with school. We will be sad to "graduate" from CSMH into high school when the time comes.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 649

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• El Cajon, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  29 reviews

Parent: We've been a part of LFCS for 11 years. Now all 4 of my kids are in school there and we are so thankful for a safe, consistent learning environment for them. I so appreciate that the school takes a neutral position on any and all political or controversial issues, and instead encourages kids to ask their parents what their family values are. Also, there are regular meetings where parents are encouraged to attend and learn more about the inner workings of the school. And I'm always impressed with the school's financial transparency and fiscal responsibility. They operate within the budget and welcome questions from parents regarding spending. If you're unsure about whether this is the school for you, attend a tour and get informed. They are happy to answer any questions you have!... Read 29 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,945

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.74 out of 5  43 reviews

Parent: We have found this to be a truly wonderful school with outstanding teachers, devoted administrators and a diverse community. We love the project based learning and critical thinking skills that our son is gaining through the International Baccalaureate (IB) program provided at the school. We also really value the opportunity that he has to learn TWO new languages, through German immersion and then Spanish beginning in third grade. Moreover, the school community really is international and very diverse. We love how different cultures and traditions are highlighted throughout the curriculum and school activities. Additionally, we have been really thrilled by the individualized attention that our son receives. The teachers and staff all really take the time to get to know individual students and their families, and are there to provide support and encouragement to all of us!... Read 43 reviews

• grade A

• Students 391

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Arcata, CA•

• Public School•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Alum: This is a small school with a lot of character. An amazing arts program, with music, spanish and theater classes. Lots of community connection and field trips. The staff are all seasoned teachers with a passion for teaching and a love for sustainability, community arts and music, learning through play and inclusivity. The teachers and staff constantly strive to connect with students to help them achieve and flourish. Lots of hands on life and earth science. Free lunches and a campus that feels safe and homelike. best school around!!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 99

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• San Diego, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A

• Students 258

• Student-teacher ratio 29:1

• San Luis Obispo, CA•

• Public School•

• K-6

• grade A

• Students 159

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Mission Viejo, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  18 reviews

Parent: I had two boys attend school at OPA-SOC and I wholeheartedly recommend this school! The educational philosophy they adhere to, Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, is top notch. My boys were exposed to and developed strengths in multiple learning and teaching methods, which has sent them off to their next schools extremely well prepared. They were challenged academically and supported emotionally by their teachers, the support staff, and their peers. I am grateful for the time my boys got to spend at OPA-SOC and I feel that they are better from having been there.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• Students 870

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Huntington Beach, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A

• Students 320

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Olympic Valley, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.79 out of 5  19 reviews

Parent: Creekside is a real gem of a school where parent involvement is mandatory. The Creekside model is one where the students learn how hard work pays off. Although listed as a 'nonclassroom based school', Creekside has 4 days of in-class (Monday - Thursday) for students. Even though they have 4 days of class time, they have 5 days of work. This 5th day of work is done on out of the classroom and at home or over the weekend. Creekside offers great flexibility for families that travel on their own time for short or extended periods. As long as the work gets done and turned in the teacher's attendance is not mandatory. Getting the work done is mandatory. There is a lot of work, call it homework or independent study. And parent involvement is required. The creekside kids work very hard and the results show. The leadership and teachers are there to help and are nothing short of amazing. Student engagement is very high, the kids LOVE Creekside and going to school.... Read 19 reviews

• grade A

• Students 231

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Menifee, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  143 reviews

Alum: I went to a much larger school in a different school district for my freshman and sophmore year and struggled with the students, fitting in and feeling safe, all while trying to grasp what was happening with COVID. Santa Rosa saved me in so many ways and offered me exactly the type of learning environment and support I was looking for and for the first time in a while I started to thrive. The teachers, the staff and the students are all amazing and I am who I am today because of all those at SRA that supported me. GO RANGERS!... Read 143 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,651

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Liberty Elementary School District (Petaluma), CA•

• 1-6

• grade A

• Students 160

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Temecula, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: We had a great Kinder teacher who cared about her students and was exceptional in creating a learning environment that always grasped the children's attention. If you as a parent support the learning at home your child can soar. They have a dedicated French and Spanish teacher and the program flows very well. Is it an immersion program, no, but my daughter is still speaking the French she did learn and it's summer. Parent communication is great. I am very impressed by their weekly emails and monthly news letters!! Their goal is to purchase their own property for the school within the next few years as well. And they let go teachers who are not up to par. Versus full public institutions where they have to keep the bad teachers. I support this school whole heartily and make two 40 minute round trips a day, for pick up and drop off for my daughter to attend. Long story short, you get out of the school what you as a parent are willing to put in and trust.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 280

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• San Jose, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  14 reviews

Middle school student: The teachers and staff pay a lot of attention to the students to ensure they have an optimal learning experience. The curriculum (especially for AP students) is quite ahead compared to schools in the area. One unique thing with Discovery students I have categorically seen is their confidence in speaking to others, most students gain that trait from presenting to their classes about topics they've researched and have a vested interest in. Great school!... Read 14 reviews

• grade A

• Students 537

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Stockton, CA•

• Public School•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 449

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Stockton, CA•

• Public School•

• K-5

• grade A

• Students 437

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Carlos Elementary School District, CA•

• K-3

• grade A

• Students 266

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• West Covina, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.78 out of 5  9 reviews

Freshman: I used to be a student here, my journey was pretty long struggled at first in my academics but since the teachers here are welcoming they guided me to where I’m standing now. Being able to teach what my math teacher taught me to another student in my high school class. This school also has a great special Ed department they guided many kids along the way kind of how the teachers did for me.... Read 9 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,249

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Rocklin, CA•

• Public School•

• K-6

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Works Here: I absolutely love this school and the curriculum that we teach, truly the best of the best! We strive on parent involvement in our classrooms! The staff and students at this school are so welcoming to everyone! I would highly recommend this school to anyone looking for an amazing education!... Read 5 reviews

• grade A

• Students 420

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1