2019 Best Charter Schools in the Sacramento AreaAbout this List

Western Sierra Collegiate Academy

• Rocklin Academy Family of Schools, CA
• 6-12
• 104

Freshman: Western Sierra Collegiate Academy is amazing school. The school focuses on learning the concepts and striving for excellency, not just getting good grades, and is more than willing to help students or give them second chances.

If you enjoy learning and want to skip out on all the usual teenage drama, this is the school for you. Because the campus and student body is smaller, you are forced into close quarters with your fellow students, effectively squashing cliques from day one and making bullying nonexistent.

The school treats their students like adults and expects them to act like adults, fostering maturity and an ability to advocate for yourself, ask for help when needed, and be able to make mistakes.

Overall, WSCA is a great school with a diverse student body and a staff that genuinely care about your future and personal happiness. Many students here plan on attending the best universities in the US, typically involving STEM.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO THOSE WHO LOVE TO LEARN
Read 104 Reviews

• A+

• 728 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rocklin Academy Turnstone

• Rocklin Unified School District, CA
• K-6
• 3

Parent: Turnstone is a very unique school. It’s a Core Knowledge school, so my children are also receiving a solid education in social studies and science, music and art. World history and geography are taught at each grade level, in addition to American history. The curriculum spirals and my first grader was learning all about electricity at the same time as my fourth grader! The teachers work together with each other when similar units coincide. I appreciate how each unit is brought to life— hands on learning, art, and tech projects are always going on. For example, 1st grade has Egyptian Day, and 2nd had an Ellis Island day, 3rd has a Colonial Faire, and 4th does a Medieval Feast, etc! The teachers really support each child, and I always feel in the loop! Math, Lang. Arts, & writing are rigorous and there are high expectations, but also a lot of support. The principal knows each kid and family. The office is super helpful. We have had a wonderful experience at this school!
Read 3 Reviews

• A

• 372 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rocklin Academy Meyers

• Rocklin Unified School District, CA
• K-6

• A

• 183 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Da Vinci Charter Academy

• Davis Joint Unified School District, CA
• 7-12
• 64

Alum: Da Vinci Charter Academy is technology and project-based learning community. Essentially this means that students have to make a lot of PowerPoints and learn how to make-up a presentation on the spot or face public humiliation. This school was extremely liberal in its teachings, and if you didn't align you'd have few to talk to. My experience at Da Vinci was heavily reliant on the groups that I ended up in. If I had a group who wanted to succeed, great! If not, that meant failure or severe overworking. Learning to work in a group, communicate, and present are all valuable skills. Da Vinci did a better job than most at teaching students relevant skills, but they were never purely academic. From an academic standpoint, the school was mediocre. There was a high teacher turn over, any subjects in science or math were below average, and projects seemed more focused on aesthetics than content.
Read 64 Reviews

• A

• 595 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep

• Natomas Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 178

Senior: Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep fosters educational growth and creative thinking. It has consistently won the civic engagement award with regard to student involvement and community awareness. Due to the smaller nature of the school, the environment is more tight knit and students develop better relationships with teachers and faculty. I personally admire many of the qualities that the school embodies, and appreciate the effort made by many of the teachers and staff. No school is perfect and I personally feel that my school has acquired more restrictions than that of the average large public school; however, Np3 still encourages development of independence, responsibility, and college readiness. Thank you for this opportunity!
Read 178 Reviews

• A

• 591 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bowman Charter School

• Public School
• Auburn, CA
• K-8

• A

• 586 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Natomas Charter School

• Natomas Unified School District, CA
• PK, K-12
• 256

Senior: I have been a student at Natomas Charter School since 6th grade, and I am now about to graduate as a senior. My experience at this school has had its ups and downs, like most schools, but it was a bit different for me because the school is so small. I know just about everyone in my grade, and I have grown with many of them since 6th grade. Because of this, I have had many of the same friends since middle school, and many students I know, including myself, have fallen into a comfortable routine. I have felt discontent a number of times in middle school and the early years of high school because my school was a but different than others, as this school was focused on performing arts rather than sports. I was sometimes embarrassed by the fact that we had rallies for musicals instead of games, but as I got older I grew to love this fact and embrace how weird it was. Natomas Charter School has given me a unique yet comfortable experience throughout my 6 years of attendance.
Read 256 Reviews

• A

• 1,836 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Loomis Basin Charter School

• Loomis Union Elementary School District, CA
• K-8

• A-

• 408 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

California Montessori Project-Shingle Springs Campus

• Buckeye Union Elementary School District, CA
• K-8
• 1

• A-

• 451 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Creekside Charter

• Newcastle Elementary School District, CA
• K-6
• 16

Niche User: Academics are the number one focus of Creekside. It's a tough program, kids are challenged, homework levels are high due to the 4 day week. It's worth it! The flexibility and encouragement to travel, use alternative real world education is highly valued and supported.
Read 16 Reviews

• A-

• 132 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep Middle School

• Natomas Unified School District, CA
• 6-8

• A-

• 522 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Maria Montessori Charter Academy

• Rocklin Unified School District, CA
• K-8

• A-

• 272 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Westlake Charter School

• Natomas Unified School District, CA
• K-8
• 1

Works Here: A superb school district; having only one singular exception, the education administrator, former executive principal is recognized by staff and students as being an opportunist, a charlatan, a real grin fu#@ker:)))
Read 1 Review

• A-

• 918 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rocklin Academy Gateway

• Newcastle Elementary School District, CA
• K-8
• 5

Parent: Pros:
- Motivated enthusiastic and caring teachers
- Teachers work together as grade-level teams
- Core Knowledge Curriculum. You can buy the "What Your X Grader Needs to Know" book and read it with your child
- The school has a great emphasis on Respect, Responsibility and Resourcefulness
- Each child is assigned an iPad (1st-6th) or a Chromebook (7-8th)
- Students have the choice of eBooks or a large honor-system library
- Students can test to move ahead a grade in math
- Amazing chef and hot lunch program

Cons:
- Need to offer instruction in other languages before 7th grade. The school has been unwilling to set up and after-school Spanish program
- There is no grassy field for recess or on-site sports
- 7th and 8th grade need to offer an honors or advanced track of classes
- Need more differentiation for GATE students
- Minimal clubs and after-school activities
Read 5 Reviews

• A-

• 1,196 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Met

• Sacramento City Unified School District, CA
• 9-12
• 54

Senior: The Met is an excellent school with great opportunities! Students participate in internships twice weekly in place of elective credits. Students and teachers are on a first name basis, and the teachers really work with the students to make sure they're on track. Overall, an amazing school that provides students with the foundations to be successful in college and the working world.
Read 54 Reviews

• A-

• 277 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Folsom Cordova Community Charter School

• Folsom-Cordova Unified School District, CA
• K-8

• B+

• 151 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Charter Montessori Blue Oak Campus

• Buckeye Union Elementary School District, CA
• K-5

• B+

• 287 Students
• 29:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Newcastle Charter School

• Newcastle Elementary School District, CA
• K-8

• B+

• 291 Students
• 28:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rising Sun Montessori

• Buckeye Union Elementary School District, CA
• 1-8

• B+

• 112 Students
• 28:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

John Adams Academy

• Loomis Union Elementary School District, CA
• K-12
• 23

Works Here: John Adams Academy is a fantastic school! The idea that a child can receive a high quality liberal arts classical education at a tuition free public charter is an educational game changer.

The school board is experienced, principled, and in touch with the day to day operations of the school. They, along with administration, are always seeking to improve the quality of education offered to the scholars.

Like any school, John Adams Academy has challenges unique to its location, demographics, institutional type, and educational philosophy. However, on the whole, everyone from the facilities crew to the school board are dedicated to providing the best education possible to as many scholars as possible. It is not uncommon for administration, teachers, and support staff to volunteer extra unpaid hours, supplies, or resources to improve the overall educational atmosphere of the school.

I highly recommend John Adams Academy.
Read 23 Reviews

• B+

• 1,293 Students
• 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Heritage Peak Charter School

• Twin Rivers Unified School District, CA
• K-12
• 41

Parent: Heritage Peak Charter School is THE BEST school that any of my 5 children have attended. The teachers are real and present to their students. That means they have real relationships with each student individually. I'm always impressed by the amount of time they give to my kids. Either classroom time or texting or phone calls they are always there for them. This has been proven by the amount of growth my daughter has shown in just the last year. And now she loves to read and loves science!
I also have to say that well, we all know that it's the management that trickles down to the employees... I have a huge suspicion that it's the principle that leads the teachers and the students. She is so sweet and so smart. I'm very impressed!
Read 41 Reviews

• B+

• 1,155 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

California Montessori Project - Elk Grove Campus

• Elk Grove Unified School District, CA
• K-8

• B+

• 458 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Golden Valley River School

• San Juan Unified School District, CA
• K-8

• B+

• 330 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Visions in Education

• Public School
• Carmichael, CA
• PK, K-12
• 166

Alum: Visions in Education was the best school! I had a super flexible schedule and my classes thoroughly prepared me for college. Because Visions in Education is a charter homeschool academy, I was able to take college courses concurrently at my local community college. This helped me prepare for full-time college coursework. Because of Visions in Education, I feel that I am ready, and well equipped, to transfer to UC Davis next fall.
Read 166 Reviews

• B

• 5,279 Students
• 29:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rocklin Independent Charter Academy

• Rocklin Unified School District, CA
• K-12
• 3

High School Senior: The school works with you on your time. They will make classes around your time and will help you figure out what credits you are missing to graduate. The staff their is all friendly and the school is great even if it is small for a school.
Read 3 Reviews

• B

• 137 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio