2024 Best Charter Schools in the Austin Area

• Round Rock, TX•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  70 reviews

Senior: The learning environment was very rigorous but it helped prepare me for college. They teach you advanced learning techniques and have an open and welcoming environment with equality for everyone through the use of school uniforms. It is a safer environment than any of the public schools I went to before going here. I've been going here for 10 years and have made a lot of friends. They are also very good and supportive of students with learning disabilities like ADHD and Dyslexia and Disgraphia, as well as students with depression and anxiety. They also provide more IB classes to help get the IB diploma to get college credits! Thanks to them, I got into my dream school!... Read 70 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,679

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Austin, TX•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  29 reviews

Freshman: When I first entered this school, it was the beginning of the academic year and COVID restrictions were still high. Still, it meant no more online meetings. This school welcomed me with open arms and continues to support me and other students for extracurricular activities. A four-hour school, this school supports students who partake in sports such as figure-skating and hockey, which take up most of a student's time. The teachers care for their students, and bullying is taken very seriously. The only thing I would add is extracurricular. This school was built for students with extracurricular activities yet doesn't have any sports teams. Another thing is, we don't have lunch or lockers like a typical american high school does. It is just a quirk this school has. It prepares students for colleges, and has education from Kindergarten all the way to 12th grade. This school continues to support me and I plan to stay here for the rest of my education.... Read 29 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 354

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• BASIS Texas Charter Schools, TX•

• K-8

• grade A

• Students 269

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Orenda Charter School, TX•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  87 reviews

Senior: I have been going here for years and I love it! There have been so many changes and this school has grown so much. From portable buildings for classrooms, to walking across a giant field to get to each building, to giant buildings with great teachers and not a single portable.... Read 87 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,534

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Cedars International Academy Schools, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.5 out of 5  8 reviews

Senior: My Experience with this school is good but not that good , some of the good things about this school is how it's all technology base, instead of textbooks we are provided with an Ipad to use in the school so you don't have to bring a lot in your backpack but you may need to bring some notebooks in some of the classes that you might have, it's also a small school filled about less than 200 students so it's great small school and very easy to get around than a large high school, another thing is that there are some days on Fridays where we have game night and its when kids spend the rest of the after school play games on some consoles that the school have,VR and board games , they also do themes on game night depending if theres a holiday or have some special days. Some of the issues I have with the school is there are not that much after school activities or have sports teams as well, and they lack the knowledge of applying and learning for college in the last minute for seniors.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A

• Students 113

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Harmony Public Schools - Central Texas, TX•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.9 out of 5  10 reviews

Parent: I can’t say enough about Harmony! We found this school on a whim as we were trying to find a school that supported science in the height of COVID. We initially came because the majority of students were wearing masks vs. our old school where nobody did. It was truly meant to be. The teachers and staff are amazing. They care so much for the children and take character very seriously. My kids are learning so many amazing things in comparison to their old school and there is always opportunities for tutoring, etc. If they need help. I love the diversity that is reflected as well. So much to love here!... Read 10 reviews

• grade A

• Students 541

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Valor Education, TX•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.65 out of 5  17 reviews

Parent: Valor has been an incredible gift to our family. The teachers are joyful and attentive. The leadership and their vision for educating the whole person and cultivating wisdom and virtue in the students is inspiring. I love that they're reading quality literature and are being encouraged to think critically and engage in meaningful conversation. I'm amazed at the poems our kids want to recite for us over dinner. The math curriculum is excellent. I wish I had been taught math this way! There is a quiet joy in the hallway, where kids feel safe, nurtured, and fully present. I love that our older kids and younger kids can all be at the same school together and see each other often on campus. After trying several different schools, we have finally found our home! Our kids are thriving and look forward to going to school every day. The families at Valor are amazing, and I'm so grateful to have found this school community.... Read 17 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 759

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• NYOS Charter School, TX•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  65 reviews

Senior: The best part about my school are the teachers because they make the school feel like a safe place and a place where one can not only come to learn but also be respected and treated as though they belong and are cared for. They help make the school a lot of fun and communicate with us on the daily. This helps students like me feel more inclined to do well and study hard and continue building great relationships with teachers. The worst part is the lack of funding but they do what they can to make it work. I would like the see a lot of the policies be changed as to allow more leniency and self expression, such as the dress code, and the electronics policy but other than that I believe the school has a very good faculty that keeps the school afloat and very enjoyable to return to. I've been here since kindergarten so I've become attached to the environment as well as the people who surround me daily and who I have to work alongside with. I'd also like to see the lunch menu be changed.... Read 65 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 613

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Idea Public Schools, TX•

• K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 554

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Harmony Public Schools - Central Texas, TX•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.47 out of 5  30 reviews

Parent: My children have attended Harmony Endeavor for 2 years and this is our 3rd year. Absolutely best decision as parents we made. We drive 35 minutes each way. and it’s worth it. Supportive teachers and staff allows my children to learn and be challenged to their full potential. Students can be active in school and after school with clubs. Staff who care and support families holistically. Staff who listens to parents and students with open communicate. A school where parent involvement is appreciated and accepted. Learning with STEAM-Science,Technology,English,Art,Math. Administration is approachable and listens to all feedback. All around Great School!! Staff is aware that Improvement is an everyday task in all areas. Admin is working with the community, staff, students and parents to improve daily in all areas.... Read 30 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 784

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Valor Education, TX•

• K-11

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  15 reviews

Parent: My sons are just completing their kindergarten year at Valor North Austin. The growth I've seen in them, academically but also in virtue, has far exceeded my expectations. They love to go to school, and I love to hear them recite poetry and tell me what they learned during outdoor nature studies. The fact that they have multiple recesses per day, plus PE four times a week and lots of movement during their specials classes, is an added bonus for my active boys! We are incredibly thankful for this school and the real love for learning that my sons are developing.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 838

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Austin, TX•

• Public School•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  14 reviews

Parent: There's a really warm environment here, it's clear that the staff and teachers really care about the kids and their learning journey.... Read 14 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 302

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Texas Empowerment Academy, TX•

• K-2

• grade A minus

• Students 136

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Texas College Preparatory Academies, TX•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  24 reviews

Junior: I have attended Founders Classical Academy since it opened in 2014, and I can say with confidence that I would not be who I am if I had not attended this school. Founders does have a more classical approach to teaching, therefore all of the courses they offer are considered advanced; students are pushed to excel where they might have thought they could never be able to. Along with its great academics, the athletics are wonderful also. I have played volleyball for the school since I was in 6th grade and I have loved every second of it. Uniforms are also a trait that Founders have, and at first, it is annoying, but then as time goes on it becomes normal and even enjoyable. The things that I would like to see the school improve on are small; our school is hard and rigorous. We have students who get recognized for making all straight A's or all A's and a few B's, but we do not truly recognize the ones who make huge improvements to their academics. I hope this will change in the future.... Read 24 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 706

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• NYOS Charter School, TX•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: My son started kindergarten here and we’ve been very happy for two years, only switching schools because we had to move three hours away. NYOS has a super loving environment and we’ve never had any issues with bullying whatsoever. I’ve also been amazed at the level of academics my son has had since the beginning. He loves learning and going to NYOS: the teachers are loving and patient, and every single one of them will know your child’s name. Also, the community is very supportive, it really feels like family. We love it here and I really hope we can come back next year.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 809

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Harmony Public Schools - Central Texas, TX•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.55 out of 5  107 reviews

Alum: Harmony offers amazing opportunities for any students who want to major in anything STEM related in college. It isn't the best option for any students considering other career paths though as they cannot take classes that would relate to their future major and prepare them for their college studies. The school has amazing teachers, but with more work load being put on teachers across the district Harmony has lost some of their best teachers and is making it hard for them to teach their students to the degree that they are capable of. Overall, I would consider what you want for your future in college and then way different schools.... Read 107 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 859

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Premier High Schools, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  15 reviews

Senior: Premier is a really great school in my opinion. They are very understanding of their students personal situations and help them still achieve a high school diploma. They offer morning and noon school sessions. This gives the students a great amount of flexibility. The curriculum is self-paced compared to other high schools that don’t necessarily accommodate to their students different learning styles.... Read 15 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 108

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• Harmony Public Schools - Central Texas, TX•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  7 reviews

Parent: This is my child’s first year with Harmony School of Science and he loves it! I am loving the communication from his kindergarten teacher. It gives me piece of mind throughout the day.... Read 7 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 435

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Texas College Preparatory Academies, TX•

• K-8

• grade B+

• Students 137

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Kipp Texas Public Schools, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  204 reviews

Senior: My experience at KIPP Austin Collegiate has been enjoyable. I enjoy the pep rally's, sport games, etc. What I like about my high school is our community. At my school, almost, everyone knows who is who because my school is not as big. There is more of a community and connection between students and teachers. Additionally, I like that there is a class for the juniors and seniors in which teachers help students to choose the right path in college or for their career. I would like to to see a change in my school in our schedule. Elementary, middle, and high schoolers should be released at the same time (like at 3:30 PM).... Read 204 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 802

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Austin Independent School District, TX•

• PK, K-5

• grade B+

• Students 511

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Idea Public Schools, TX•

• 6-7

• grade B+

• Students 197

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Harmony Public Schools - Central Texas, TX•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  63 reviews

Works Here: I've worked at HSE Austin for almost 6 years and although I've always enjoyed working here I can say the campus has made huge improvements in the last few years that benefit teachers, parents, and students. The behavior expectations for students are fair, clear, and enforced, the curriculum is designed to challenge and engage student learners, and the overall atmosphere is safe, positive and caring. Harmony has implemented a new platform that allows for easy communication between parents, students, and teachers where grades and behavior issues are documented and addressed. This streamlined process helps teachers keep parents informed and also makes it easier for teachers to address parent concerns. The school is small, friendly, and full of amazing students, teachers, and other staff members!... Read 63 reviews

• grade B

• Students 577

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Idea Public Schools, TX•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  25 reviews

Senior: I've been at Idea Montopolis for 10 years now and overall it has been alright. Idea has its problems just like any other school but it does its best to solve them especially when it comes to students safety. Somethings I would say the school can improve would be the lack of clubs and teachers. Before quarantine Idea was a school that didn't fall behind on much, but after quarantine the school isn't as great as it used to be and I believe they can fix that.... Read 25 reviews

• grade B

• Students 780

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Austin, TX•

• Public School•

• PK, K-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: We are very happy to be at Magnolia this year. This was our third year to enter the lottery and so thankful to have got it in this year. The facilities are very nice and the classroom, so inviting. For my child, being with children older than them has been very beneficial and the amount she has already learned in one month is very impressive.... Read 1 review

• grade B

• Students 470

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1