2023 Best Charter Middle Schools in California

• Granada Hills, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  1,487 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 1,487 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 5,462

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• La Jolla, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  303 reviews

Senior: My experience here at Preuss has been fantastic. The school provides opportunities for students to participate in many activities after school too and prepare them for university! I also feel like this is a safe space for me and ask teachers for help; teachers here at Preuss really want students to succeed. As a first-gen student, Preuss has done their best to guide me for what to do when applying for universities as a senior and makes sure that all students are on track! Through it's rigorous curriculum, all of these are established this way to make it easier for students by their senior year without having to worry much if they're meeting all the requisites when applying to universities. Student's can view that handwork is paying off in the end.... Read 303 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 848

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: Great school, I go there and I love it so much! There are a lot of different things you can do but I love how it also teaches me mandarin and it also is super strong on math and English even though its half Chinese!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 555

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Hemet Unified School District, CA•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.53 out of 5  57 reviews

Senior: Western Center Academy was, overall, a great experience for me as a student. All the teachers have been incredibly supportive and are always willing to provide help to students when they need it. They're also just excellent teachers overall, and I've learned something in every class I've taken. The office staff are also great, they do so much work for the students, and always answer any questions we may have. The overall campus environment is very welcoming, the campus is always bustling with life and providing students with events and ways to interact with peers. My only complaint is there are many classes that we take online through colleges. While I think it's great we are getting college credit, I sometimes feel like I would've learned more if there was an in person teacher.... Read 57 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 728

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Los Altos, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  14 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 14 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,093

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• San Francisco, CA•

• Public School•

• K-7

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  4 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 4 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 391

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• 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 1,581

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Los Angeles, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  48 reviews

Junior: As I prepare for the upcoming school year and reflect on my sophomore year experiences, my heart can't help but feel overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. After completing my first year of high school in Honduras, thoughts regarding how welcoming the new environment I would encounter clouded my mind. As a first-generation student entering a traditional US high school, my hopes were that teachers and staff would aim to support me despite obvious academic differences between me and my classmates, the students whom I had difficulty connecting with at first. Nonetheless, my original expectations were completely surpassed once I began having meaningful interactions with the teachers and staff. Not only did they help me realize having a different background is an advantage when it comes to acquiring a unique perspective, but they also helped me embrace and show pride in it. New west has encouraged me to build a strong and empowering character, one where my differences stand out proudly.... Read 48 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,043

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Redding, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  193 reviews

Senior: Going to a school that is grades 6-12 is honestly such an amazing experience. You get the chance as a high schooler to be a role model for the younger kids, and as a younger student, you feel safe and welcomed at the school because everyone else is so accepting. The administration and staff do everything they can to make the school a productive learning environment while also encouraging students to join extracurriculars and participate in various sports and clubs. In terms of college readiness, I am a senior and I personally feel so ready to face the challenges that I know college will throw at me. I feel prepared not only academically, but socially as well since I have been able to be around so many different types of students during my time at U-Prep. There is absolutely nothing I would change about my school, it has helped to prepare me for the journey in life ahead so much, and I feel so grateful to have been able to attend such a great school for so many years.... Read 193 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 955

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Lake Forest, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.7 out of 5  20 reviews

Parent: Since we began school in the middle of a pandemic, the staff and administration have been super communicative helpful and supportive! They are organized, and when something is not working, they make adjustments. It is a learning curve for everyone, and they have been great.... Read 20 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 646

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• 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 827

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• 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 526

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• 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

• San Jose, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  13 reviews

Alum: I got the benefit of going to this school because all my older brothers were already going there. I went to DCS all the way from kindergarten to eighth grade. There are so many things that this school offers which you will never find anywhere else. One of the things that might either seem like a pro or a con is that DCS is very reliant on parent participation. This participation often makes school a lot easier as a young child. Though if you worry that as a parent you wouldn't be able to participate whether it be due to a job or something, don't worry about it! DCS is very understanding and only encourages parent participation if possible. Another great thing about DCS is that they really focus on building the skills you will need to succeed late in life. They might not give you as much homework and so it might seem that it is easier, but realistically they are just trying to get away from the idea of working for the grade rather than the gaining of knowledge and understanding.... Read 13 reviews

• grade A

• Students 553

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Spring Valley, CA•

• Public School•

• 5-8

• grade A

• Students 402

• Student-teacher ratio 25:1

• Morgan Hill, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A

• Students 649

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Alameda, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  29 reviews

Parent: ACLC has all the benefits of a small private school without the price tag! With just 50-60 students per grade, teachers and administrators really know each child and are committed to their success. Students have the opportunity to lead and shape their community in meaningful ways. A "learner-lead" school looks a little chaotic sometimes, but results in confident young people with the skills to succeed.... Read 29 reviews

• grade A

• Students 402

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• El Cajon, CA•

• Public School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  28 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 28 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,862

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Oakland, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: We've been here for a few years now. I have been extremely impressed with the teaching. We attended a private French immersion school before this, and I think that academically speaking, this is very similar in terms of the teaching and curriculum, only it's free! I'd also say the student/family community is very warm and diverse in every sense of the word. So we're very glad we made the switch. It is still a growing school and sometimes the systems and processes are a bit messy and disorganized, that I would say is the main downside.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 311

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• 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 270

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• 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 209

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Long Beach, CA•

• Public School•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Intellectual Virtues Academy is a unique and compelling place to learn for high schoolers from all walks of life. Small, intimate, challenging and accepting, IVA recognizes what is special in each of its students and promotes and encourages each learner to do the same. A remarkable faculty and administrative staff will push your child to think, reflect and push hard to challenge norms and think well beyond the box, all in an environment of support and connectedness. My daughter is a senior with just a few months left until she graduates. As we prepare to say goodbye to what has been a vital and engaging part of our lives, I cannot say enough how important this school has been not only to her but to all of us. What a gift to have been a part of the IVA family these past four years.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 238

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• San Carlos, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Middle School Student: Charter is a very good school with lots of group projects and involvement. They have lots of special activities and programs for children with learning difficulties. Parents are super involved and teachers are committed and ready to provide 1:1 guidance. For children who need advanced studies, the teachers will provide differential learning. The students are super friendly and ready to learn. There is a lot of focus on social emotional learning and teamwork. The administration is kind and helpful. The school applies Project Based Learning and hand-on activities. Students get lots of choice in what they do. My one problem though, is that in the new campus made of shipping containers, whenever there is motion on the top floor, it makes a really loud sound on the bottom floor. This becomes a real difficulty for students k-2 and in the library. But they are working it out in different ways including doing a fun art project with egg cartons.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 387

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Chula Vista, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Arroyo Vista did a wonderful job accepting our kindergarten child. First online and later in hybrid. This year in first grade has been wonderful in-person learning. My child is very motivated to learn.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 944

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Huntington Beach, CA•

• Public School•

• K-8

• grade A

• Students 278

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1