2024 Best Charter Schools in America

• Bay District Schools, FL•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.62 out of 5  13 reviews

Middle school student: I am in 8th grade at RLA, and feel the school is very safe. The school cares about keeping students safe and puts on activities to keep kids involved and challenges us. One thing I really like is that when students make recommendations for classes or activities, the school listens and adds electives and activities. Talking to friends that go to other schools in town, I wouldn’t change anything about my school.... Read 13 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 335

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Evansville, IN•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  130 reviews

Senior: If you've seen any rankings/reviews, you know this school is rigorous. But because students choose to attend this high school, the student body consists of like-minded individuals who like learning and pushing academic boundaries There is a spot for everyone here—as each class is ~100 students, Signature has a very close-knit community. The faculty is amazing without exception; their love for teaching and care for the students is clear Signature feels like home. The countless clubs—with focuses in service, language/culture, academics, pride, sports (esp. recent years), etc—encourage intergrade interactions & relationships This school has an open campus! Many students go out to eat and most enjoy lunch outside. There are currently 3 buildings, and for this reason (considering it's in downtown Evansville), students must take extra care to be safe. However, the administration oversees and prioritizes student safety so this isn't really a concern 10/10 recommend applying&shadowing :)... Read 130 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 383

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Tucson, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  61 reviews

Senior: I have really enjoyed the advanced classes offered at Basis Tucson North. You have plenty of opportunities to take honors and AP classes that will teach and challenge and prepare you for college.. I've really grown academically because of my school. I also love their foreign language curriculum. I have taken French for six years. Because of that, I feel confident in my ability to converse with native speakers on a variety of topics. The French teachers are amazing and have taught me a lot. The only complaint I have about my school is its focus on STEM. There are so many math and science courses available to take, but all of the fine arts programs are very small in comparison. In spite of that, I have had so many amazing experiences taking band and orchestra throughout my years at Basis Tucson North. Although small, the community of students that you make music with is close. Our conductor is amazing. He helps us to unlock our potential with out instruments. It's a really good class.... Read 61 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 863

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Raleigh, NC•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.48 out of 5  201 reviews

Senior: I transferred to Raleigh Charter my junior year of high school. I completed my junior year there and will complete my senior year there soon. I really like how academically challenging this school is in all aspects. I am by no means a STEM student, but there are a lot of rigorous STEM classes offered here. The humanities courses, which I prefer, are amazing as well. The teachers are extremely helpful and good at their jobs, and offer a lot of support inside and outside the classroom. The extracurricular activities that take place on campus are super fun and I always enjoy being an active part of the school community. One thing I think could change is the administration's responsiveness to issues that arise between students. Dissolving potential fights and preventing students from committing inappropriate actions from happening to other students is something that is not their strong suit. That was also an issue when my sister attended RCHS, which was years ago. Overall, a good school.... Read 201 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 559

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  77 reviews

Sophomore: Basis Phoenix is a school that provides challenging coursework with many resources for students to learn and advance individually. They provide a wide selection of electives for students to delve deeper into their areas of interest and offer unique extracurriculars such as an advocacy and astronomy club. This school is just the right fit for students who hope to challenge themselves. However, one thing the school could improve on is its events. For example, having more well-planned award ceremonies and school dances.... Read 77 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 730

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Scottsdale, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  122 reviews

Senior: My overall experience for this school is fairly positive I feel like every since I entered in fifth grade there have been changes for the better and changes for the worst. Amount of students are fairly larger at the lower grades and they begin to dwindle down as you get into higher grades and the courses become more rigorous and demanding of you. Because of this, all the students that remain are all very competitive with each other which is both good and bad, it helps foster growth and improvement but it also creates an environment that perpetually gatekept by a certain number of students that have just all the top positions and whatever they don’t have they just help their friends get it and this blatant bias is something I don’t unfortunately see going away anytime soon.... Read 122 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,057

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Mesa, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  55 reviews

Senior: Basis Mesa has taught me many things over the past 8 Years. The workload helped me develop tenacity and diligence. I absolutely love the teachers and atmosphere. They never fail to make sure that the students excel at their crafts. From hosting student hours to checking up on the students, the teachers are incredible to work with. Many of my friends I have grown along side with have impeccable characteristics and are very compassionate of others. The facilities at Basis can definitely use some work. I'm pretty sure its because the other Basis Schools are prioritized over our smaller school. I hope that are able to earn more money to aid in providing more extracurriculars. I would like a more diverse curriculum. It would be lovely if the art department had more funding because we have many talented students that love art, theatre, and music. The opportunities that Basis provides are out-matched and I am glad I went to this school.... Read 55 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 808

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Duarte, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.74 out of 5  152 reviews

Parent: I absolutely love CSArts! I couldn't imagine sending my children to any other high school. The teachers and staff are amazing, and the students are the icing on the cake! This is such a diverse, accepting, supportive student body. I feel very comfortable sending my children to school here, knowing they will be safe and cared for. The education is top-notch and the conservatory classes, I can't say enough incredible things about them. I HIGHLY recommend this high school!... Read 152 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 962

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Oro Valley, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  97 reviews

Junior: I think that if I went to any other school, I wouldn’t have the same teacher-student relationship as I do here. Due to the smaller class size, teachers are able to connect more with your students, and they are fully able to show just how much that they care. There’s also additional hours reserved for students who need extra help with assignments, and plenty of accommodations for those who are struggling to learn. My only complaint would be the lack of funding for extracurriculars and social gatherings, but I know that they plan on making a dedicated group of students to help create better events in the future.... Read 97 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 575

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Fresno, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  253 reviews

Junior: I'm so glad that I made the choice to come to University High School! On first day of Freshman orientation, I was immediately welcomed with kind and supportive peers. The staff are incredibly nice and fun to be around! There are lots of clubs, organizations, and school activities at UHS that are bound to make any student love the school! The school itself is also not a very big campus, so almost everyone knows each other. However, we also have access to Fresno State campus! Being on a college campus really allows students to have their own freedom and experience what it's like to be a college student. At UHS, students take college classes through Fresno State along with AP classes for Junior and Senior year. While being a college prep school, UHS also puts emphasis on music education as well! The academics at University High are definitely not for everyone, as they are pretty rigorous compared to other schools. However, the fun that happens at University High is definitely worth it!... Read 253 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 487

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Santa Ana, CA•

• Public School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.16 out of 5  599 reviews

Freshman: I believe that the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) is an excellent school. I am in my 3rd year at this school, as a freshman, and there are so many art opportunities for students wanting to pursue any type of art, as well as many academic opportunities such as a vast selection of clubs, honors societies, and volunteering activities. Students make so many great connections in their art field and can make friends with people they are much closer with, due to overlapping passions. Many of the arts teachers are actively working in their fields making them great resources! Overall, OCSA is a great option for any student passionate about art and curious about learning more about art! Although there are some problems with OCSA including safety because of the location, academic teachers because some are not sufficient in teaching, as well as the food since some options can be unhealthy and the menu does not get switched out daily, OCSA has a great positive community that accepts all!... Read 599 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,217

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• New Orleans, LA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  470 reviews

Junior: The people are unlike many schools I have previously attended. Generally, the student body is interested in inclusion and diversity. People are easy to talk to! It is clear teachers are passionate about what they do, and they offer many out-of-class resources that are very useful. Everyone is invested in their learning, all the while fostering school spirit and extracurricular fun.... Read 470 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,008

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• 4-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  42 reviews

Junior: I have been a student at Basis Ahwatukee since 2016 and I will be extremely sad to leave this school at my graduation. From elementary, all the way through middle school, and finally in highschool, this school has helped me grow and develop into the person I now am. I am proud to call myself a student at this school. The teachers get to know each and every one of their students so well, keeping up to everyone's individual needs, the curriculum is challenging and brings out the full potential of everyone in class. A sense of unity is built within the students, a sense that every student is in it together, building a strong community within the grade levels. I highly recommend this school and I believe my experience at this school could not ever be surpassed by any other.... Read 42 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 720

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Pinellas County Schools, FL•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  325 reviews

Alum: St. Petersburg Collegiate High School allowed me levels of freedom that would have never been possible at a typical public high school. The ability to formulate my own college schedule made room for me to have a job and focus on my interests. The staff were extremely helpful and always responded in a timely manner, so I felt strongly supported. Also, the benefit of getting a head start on college is undeniable. I graduated with my AA degree with all of my general education classes done, many of which pertain to my intended degree. All of this, I believe, led to my ultimate scholarly and personal success as well as my acceptance into my first choice college.... Read 325 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 240

• Student-teacher ratio 48:1

• Chandler, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 3.62 out of 5  74 reviews

Sophomore: Overall, BASIS Chandler was a great school. The teachers were well versed in their subjects in addition to being kind, compassionate, and caring. In academic options, BASIS really excelled. However, I felt that the arts were not given due appreciation. Furthermore, choosing a fine art class often interfered with more academic classes. This left students to choose between an artistic passions, for example, theatre, and taking an AP elective. There could be more funding and support for things that laid outside the realm of academia. Personally, I also felt the rules for students were too strict. BASIS Chandler, after all, does include high school, but we were banned from using phones during lunch, and students were not allowed to text their parents if they were feeling sick. They were supposed to go through the front office. I thought a lot of the rules were unreasonable, especially for high schoolers.... Read 74 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,154

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Peoria, AZ•

• Public School•

• 5-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  84 reviews

Sophomore: BASIS Peoria provides one of the best academic programs in the state, if not the entire country. In the short time I have been at this school, I am very pleased with the academic workload, both in terms of the course rigor and the homework given. There are lots of varieties of clubs, albeit they are mostly academic-based. I would say the extracurriculars are the weak side of the school, as most of them are competitive academic teams. There aren't many sports apart from the main ones that require a gym, but there isn't a swim or a tennis team (both are sports that I play). Most of my extracurriculars I have to pursue outside of school; however, the Speech and Debate team at my school is very strong and in my opinion isn't connected to academics. Finally, the kids are very focused here (especially once they get into high school), as they are focused on college applications but also want to have fun experiences with friends despite being at a small school.... Read 84 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 943

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Public School•

• PK, K-6

• grade A+

• Students 189

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Chandler, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-5

• grade A+

• Students 704

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Wilmington, DE•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  326 reviews

Freshman: This is my first year at CSW and, so far, it has been wonderful! I am being challenged with my work while being given the right amount of assistance and support from teachers. They provide many opportunities for their kids through their clubs and resources (though mainly focusing on science and math; they have no resources for arts). Nonetheless, the facilities themselves aren't that great. The building itself is quite old, and many rooms aren't well-kept.... Read 326 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 971

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Flagstaff, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-6

• grade A+

• Students 73

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Tempe, AZ•

• Public School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  134 reviews

Senior: I attended TPA from grades 6-12 and loved it! It prepared me for college and guided me through the application process, helping me find success. On top of this, my time at TPA built long-lasting friendships and I always felt supported by a strong community.... Read 134 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 447

• Student-teacher ratio —

• Lake Balboa, CA•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  181 reviews

Alum: High Tech Los Angeles is a High school which focuses on its technology and provides students with opportunities to engage in project-based learning and innovative educational experiences. Its focused aim is to prepare students for success in college and into further careers for a variety of fields. While being a student here I had access to modern technology and tools that helped me learn through a variety of experiences. The school's focus on project-based learning, helped me and my friends stay engaged while experiencing real-world situations. HTLA using technology with a focus on project-based learning helped me as a student develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which have proven valuable during my college. Being in this environment which encouraged innovation and creativity helped me grow a passion for learning and exploring new ideas.... Read 181 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 372

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Academy for Science & Design Charter School, NH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  93 reviews

Senior: When I first started at ASD in sixth grade, I was determined to go somewhere else for high school. Now, I'm a senior, and staying was the best choice I ever made. ASD might be small and nerdy, but it has an incredible community. The teachers aren't there for the money; they're there because they're passionate and knowledgeable. The students all know and support each other. We're best known for our academics, and for good reason. The high-school-level classes start in 7th grade, and they remain challenging and innovative all the way through 12th. Overall, ASD was ranked the number one high school in NH, and it truly is.... Read 93 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 223

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Peoria, AZ•

• Public School•

• K-4

• grade A+

• Students 662

• Student-teacher ratio —

• BASIS Texas Charter Schools, TX•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  63 reviews

Senior: BASIS San Antonio Shavano Campus has academic rigor like no other. The emphasis on STEM subjects genuinely helps students to prepare for their futures, and with the help of the college counselors, their higher education. In addition, BASIS provides some degree of flexibility in scheduling, allowing each student to customize their own path and achieve their own greatness. However, no school is perfect, and aide from the expected antipathy of the students towards the immense workload, BASIS sports are less than ideal, even in the scope of the Charter League, and so are the arts, moreso fine than liberal. If anything, I would love to see my school become more well rounded, lending itself to students who might not want to become scientists one day.... Read 63 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 976

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1