What’s the Difference Between a Charter and Public School?

March 23, 2017

Every parent wants the best possible education for their child, especially as they move into secondary or high school. Unlike years ago, parents now have so many more options to choose from when it comes to their children’s schooling. One of the main choices parents face is whether to enroll their kids in a public or charter school. Understanding the benefits of each type of school can be difficult, so below is a brief outline of what sets public and charter schools apart.

A Charter School

A charter school is an independently run school whose student specifically choose to attend that institution. Charter schools often specialize in one type of study, including “Real Estate & Facilities,” “Information Technology,” and “Human Resources.”

A Public School

A public school is supported by public funds. Every home located in that designated school district pays taxes, which go directly to their K – 12 public school system.

Key Differences

• Students attending a public school all come from the nearby neighborhood, or school district, but charter school students can live five minutes or one hour away from their school.
• Families may have to pay to send their children to charter schools, however public schools are always free.
• Charter schools often set their own curriculum and testing standards, while public schools must abide by local and national government requirements.
• Because they are independently owned, charter schools can be founded on religious principles and the curriculum can be based on religious practices. Public schools on the other hand are not supposed to have any religious influences.

Regardless of the type of school your child goes to, they should always have the best, most sustainable equipment possible! Here at Nickerson Corporation, we are committed to engaging in environmentally friendly business practices and make it a priority to work with manufacturers who share similar values. To keep up with our green efforts, we offer products that are durable (to minimize waste), made from easily replicable parts (to eliminate the need to completely replace such products), and manufactured in a way that does not emit damaging products into our environment. For more information on how we can help you go green in your classroom, give us a call at (631) 666-0200!