Charter schools are tuition-free public schools, but unlike the rest of public schools, they have been formed with a Charter; that is, a philosophy, an operating agreement of sorts, that has been written by the community it will serve.
There are hundreds of Charters Schools that are approved to operate within LA County, and thousands operate within California. Some Charter schools are part of a group, with multiple locations, and others are standalone schools.
What is a Charter School?
Teachers, Parents and Community members may start a Charter school by writing up a petition and getting approval from the local district School Board, or in some cases, the County Board of Education, or the State.
The petition (or Charter) outlines a set of principles, procedures, rules for running a school, and curriculum, and each Charter School or group likely has a differentiating factor that sets it apart from the others, and from the “regular” Public schools.
This offers parents a chance to choose a school that matches their own philosophy about education, and a school that’s a good fit for their children.
You must apply for admission to a Charter School, and sometimes there is a Lottery to determine who gets in, but by law there can be no fees or tuition charged. The State of California Department of Education has an article defining Charter Schools here.
Featured Charter Schools in Los Angeles
Equitas Academy Charter Schools
Type: Elementary School, Featured Charter Schools, Middle School, Public Charter School
Description:
Equitas Academy Charter Schools are a network of 6 high-performing charter schools located in the downtown Los Angeles area. We serve over 2000 scholars from grades TK through 8th and focus on college readiness.
Connect:
Larchmont Charter School
Type: Elementary School, Featured Charter Schools, High School, Middle School, Public Charter School, TK (Transitional Kindergarten)
Description:
Larchmont Charter School is a free public charter school serving over 1,500 students in grades TK-12th on four campuses in Los Angeles. Larchmont has become a national leader in progressive education, fulfilling our mission to provide a socio-economically, culturally and racially diverse community of students with an exceptional public education. With participation from our entire community, we strive to instill in each student a dedication to improving the world we inhabit. Larchmont Charter, we believe, reflects what great public education can and should be.
We offer all students in CA a free education with rich programming, including:
• Highly qualified teachers with expertise in both academic and social emotional development
• Small class sizes
• Exceptional academic program rooted in constructivist, project based learning
• Diverse student body
• Weekly enrichment classes including PE, art, music, gardening, cooking and more
• Affordable after care for TK-7th grade
• Nutritious gourmet lunch program (Larchmont offers free and reduced price meals for students who qualify)
• Students of all backgrounds at Larchmont outperform their peers in surrounding schools
• Robust offering of AP classes
• Dynamic arts program
• CIF sports program in high school
• High technology to student ratio
• Fantastic community of families
• “#3 in Best Charter Elementary Schools in Los Angeles Area” according to 2021 Best Schools by Niche.com
• Top 6% of ranked high schools nationally according to U.S. News & World Report (2021)
KIPP SoCal Public Schools
Type: Elementary School, Featured Charter Schools, Middle School, Public Charter School
Description:
KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 20 tuition-free charter public schools with a whole-child approach to learning. These award-winning schools help students graduate college at a rate 3 times higher than the national average for under-resourced communities. Today, you can find KIPP SoCal’s joyful and academically excellent schools — open to all — grades TK-8, across three districts: Los Angeles, Compton, and San Diego.
With the purpose of education for liberation, KIPP SoCal engages in open-dialogue between students, families, and communities to understand their needs, their concerns and most importantly their realities. KIPP SoCal offers #WellnessWednesday as part of their commitment to mental health, that includes monthly community info sessions, weekly Q&A’s, and daily “Calm Corner” inspirational videos, to see, develop, and inspire the limitless potential in each and all KIPPsters.
Connect:
Charter Schools in Los Angeles
KIPP SoCal Public Schools
Type: Elementary School, Featured Charter Schools, Middle School, Public Charter School
Description:
KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 20 tuition-free charter public schools with a whole-child approach to learning. These award-winning schools help students graduate college at a rate 3 times higher than the national average for under-resourced communities. Today, you can find KIPP SoCal’s joyful and academically excellent schools — open to all — grades TK-8, across three districts: Los Angeles, Compton, and San Diego.
With the purpose of education for liberation, KIPP SoCal engages in open-dialogue between students, families, and communities to understand their needs, their concerns and most importantly their realities. KIPP SoCal offers #WellnessWednesday as part of their commitment to mental health, that includes monthly community info sessions, weekly Q&A’s, and daily “Calm Corner” inspirational videos, to see, develop, and inspire the limitless potential in each and all KIPPsters.
Connect:
Larchmont Charter School
Type: Elementary School, Featured Charter Schools, High School, Middle School, Public Charter School, TK (Transitional Kindergarten)
Description:
Larchmont Charter School is a free public charter school serving over 1,500 students in grades TK-12th on four campuses in Los Angeles. Larchmont has become a national leader in progressive education, fulfilling our mission to provide a socio-economically, culturally and racially diverse community of students with an exceptional public education. With participation from our entire community, we strive to instill in each student a dedication to improving the world we inhabit. Larchmont Charter, we believe, reflects what great public education can and should be.
We offer all students in CA a free education with rich programming, including:
• Highly qualified teachers with expertise in both academic and social emotional development
• Small class sizes
• Exceptional academic program rooted in constructivist, project based learning
• Diverse student body
• Weekly enrichment classes including PE, art, music, gardening, cooking and more
• Affordable after care for TK-7th grade
• Nutritious gourmet lunch program (Larchmont offers free and reduced price meals for students who qualify)
• Students of all backgrounds at Larchmont outperform their peers in surrounding schools
• Robust offering of AP classes
• Dynamic arts program
• CIF sports program in high school
• High technology to student ratio
• Fantastic community of families
• “#3 in Best Charter Elementary Schools in Los Angeles Area” according to 2021 Best Schools by Niche.com
• Top 6% of ranked high schools nationally according to U.S. News & World Report (2021)
Bright Star Schools
Type: Elementary School, High School, Middle School, Public Charter School
Description:
Bright Star Schools, a network of high-performing, charter public schools across Los Angeles, provides holistic, inclusive support, rigorous academics, and rich life experiences for our students to find joy and fulfillment in higher education, career, and life.
Founded in 2003, Bright Star Schools operates some of the highest performing charter public schools in Los Angeles. We’re building pathways of seamless, high-quality, kindergarten-through-12th grade public educational models and higher education support.
In nine, tuition-free public schools in three communities, our 3,500+ students experience rigorous academics, inclusive education, social-emotional support, and rich life opportunities beyond the classroom.
Our schools in West Adams/Baldwin Village are Stella Elementary Charter Academy, Stella Middle Charter Academy and Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy.
Our schools in Koreatown are Rise Kohyang Elementary School, Rise Kohyang Middle School and Rise Kohyang High School.
Our schools in the San Fernando Valley are Valor Academy Elementary School, Valor Academy Middle School, and Valor Academy High School.
Connect:
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
Type: Elementary School, High School, Middle School, Preschool, Public Charter School
Description:
Camino Nuevo Charter Academy (“CNCA”) is a small network of seven high-performing, community-based, free public schools serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Our schools are recognized for providing a research-based curriculum with integrated support systems and stand-out enrichment offerings like our bilingual program option, music and dance enrichment, and college awareness and readiness support starting from the beginning. We are proud of our success and excited to welcome new students to our seven different campuses.
Our application window is open from October 12, 2021 to January 28, 2022. When more applications are received than space, we will hold a public lottery event on Friday, February 11, 2022. Our schools are tuition-free and open to all! There are no residential restrictions. School hours are typically from 8:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with before and after school and extracurricular activities available starting at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. daily.
Process to Apply
• Submit an application to be included in the Feb. 11 lottery
• Complete your application here.
• Need help? Call our Home Support Office at 213-417-3400 or email [email protected]
Enrollment Reminders and Details
• All new students (including siblings) must apply to enroll at CNCA
• When more applications are received than space, a public lottery event will take place on Feb. 28
• Our Virtual Enrollment Events can be found on our website under “Enroll” on the homepage (pre-registration required!) Virtual School Events – Enroll – Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
• See other important dates and details here: Application Deadline and Lottery – Enroll – Camino Nuevo Charter Academy
• All applications received AFTER January 28 will be added to the waitlist or accepted as space permits.
To learn more about CNCA visit our website, follow CNCASchools on Facebook or Instagram, or call our Home School Office at 213-417-3400.
We look forward to getting to know you and your family as you explore CNCA!
Connect:Equitas Academy Charter Schools
Type: Elementary School, Featured Charter Schools, Middle School, Public Charter School
Description:
Equitas Academy Charter Schools are a network of 6 high-performing charter schools located in the downtown Los Angeles area. We serve over 2000 scholars from grades TK through 8th and focus on college readiness.
Connect:Alphabetical List of all the Charter Schools in LA County
| Academia Avance Charter |
| Accelerated |
| Accelerated Charter Elementary |
| Alain Leroy Locke College Preparatory Academy |
| Alfred B. Nobel Charter Middle |
| Alliance Alice M. Baxter College-Ready High |
| Alliance Cindy and Bill Simon Technology Academy High |
| Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 12 |
| Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 4 |
| Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 5 |
| Alliance College-Ready Middle Academy 8 |
| Alliance Collins Family College-Ready High |
| Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High |
| Alliance Gertz-Ressler Richard Merkin 6-12 Complex |
| Alliance Jack H. Skirball Middle |
| Alliance Judy Ivie Burton Technology Academy |
| Alliance Kory Hunter Middle |
| Alliance Leichtman-Levine Family Foundation Environmental Science High |
| Alliance Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science |
| Alliance Margaret M. Bloomfield Technology Academy High |
| Alliance Marine – Innovation and Technology 6-12 Complex |
| Alliance Morgan McKinzie High |
| Alliance Ouchi-O’Donovan 6-12 Complex |
| Alliance Patti And Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy |
| Alliance Piera Barbaglia Shaheen Health Services Academy |
| Alliance Renee and Meyer Luskin Academy High |
| Alliance Susan and Eric Smidt Technology High |
| Alliance Ted K. Tajima High |
| Alliance Tennenbaum Family Technology High |
| Alliance Virgil Roberts Leadership Academy |
| Alma Fuerte Public |
| Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory of North America |
| Animo City of Champions Charter High |
| Animo College Preparatory Academy |
| Ánimo Compton Charter |
| Animo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle |
| Animo Florence-Firestone Charter Middle |
| Animo Inglewood Charter High |
| Animo Jackie Robinson High |
| Animo James B. Taylor Charter Middle |
| Animo Jefferson Charter Middle |
| Animo Leadership High |
| Animo Mae Jemison Charter Middle |
| Animo Pat Brown |
| Animo Ralph Bunche Charter High |
| Animo South Los Angeles Charter |
| Animo Venice Charter High |
| Animo Watts College Preparatory Academy |
| Animo Western Charter Middle |
| Animo Westside Charter Middle |
| Antelope Valley Learning Academy |
| APEX Academy |
| Ararat Charter |
| Arts in Action Community Charter |
| Arts in Action Community Middle |
| Aspire Antonio Maria Lugo Academy |
| Aspire Centennial College Preparatory Academy |
| Aspire Firestone Academy Charter |
| Aspire Gateway Academy Charter |
| Aspire Inskeep Academy Charter |
| Aspire Juanita Tate Academy Charter |
| Aspire Junior Collegiate Academy |
| Aspire Ollin University Preparatory Academy |
| Aspire Pacific Academy |
| Aspire Slauson Academy Charter |
| Aspire Titan Academy |
| Assurance Learning Academy |
| Aveson Global Leadership Academy |
| Aveson School of Leaders |
| Barack Obama Charter |
| Beckford Charter for Enriched Studies |
| Bert Corona Charter |
| Bert Corona Charter High |
| Birmingham Community Charter High |
| Bright Star Secondary Charter Academy |
| Calabash Charter Academy |
| California Collegiate Charter |
| California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley |
| California Virtual Academy @ Los Angeles |
| Calvert Charter For Enriched Studies |
| Camino Nuevo Academy #2 |
| Camino Nuevo Charter Academy |
| Camino Nuevo Charter Academy #4 |
| Camino Nuevo Charter High |
| Camino Nuevo Elementary #3 |
| Camino Nuevo Elementary School 3 |
| Camino Nuevo High #2 |
| Canyon Charter Elementary |
| Carpenter Community Charter |
| Castlebay Lane Charter |
| CATCH Prep Charter High, Inc. |
| Center for Advanced Learning |
| Central City Value |
| Century Academy for Excellence |
| Century Community Charter |
| CHAMPS – Charter HS of Arts-Multimedia & Performing |
| Chatsworth Charter High |
| Children of Promise Preparatory Academy |
| CHIME Institute’s Schwarzenegger Community |
| Citizens of the World Charter School 5 |
| Citizens of the World Charter School Hollywood |
| Citizens of the World Charter School Mar Vista |
| Citizens of the World Charter School Silver Lake |
| City Honors International College Preparatory High |
| City Language Immersion Charter |
| Clear Passage Educational Center |
| Colfax Charter Elementary |
| Collegiate Charter High of Los Angeles |
| Community Collaborative Charter |
| Community Magnet Charter Elementary |
| Compass Charter Schools of Los Angeles |
| Crete Academy |
| Crown Preparatory Academy |
| Da Vinci Communications High |
| Da Vinci Connect |
| Da Vinci Design |
| Da Vinci Rise High |
| Da Vinci Science |
| Dearborn Elementary Charter Academy |
| Desert Sands Charter |
| Discovery Charter Preparatory School #2 |
| Dixie Canyon Community Charter |
| Downtown Value |
| Dr. Theodore T. Alexander Jr. Science Center |
| Ednovate – Brio College Prep |
| Ednovate – East College Prep |
| Ednovate – Esperanza College Prep |
| Ednovate – USC Hybrid High College Prep |
| Ednovate College Prep 7 |
| El Camino Real Charter High |
| El Oro Way Charter For Enriched Studies |
| El Rio Community School |
| Emerson Community Charter |
| Empower Generations |
| Enadia Way Technology Charter |
| Encino Charter Elementary |
| Endeavor College Preparatory Charter |
| Environmental Charter High |
| Environmental Charter Middle |
| Environmental Charter Middle – Inglewood |
| Equitas Academy #2 |
| Equitas Academy #3 Charter |
| Equitas Academy 4 |
| Equitas Academy 5 |
| Equitas Academy 6 |
| Equitas Academy Charter |
| Everest Value |
| Excelencia Charter School |
| Extera Public |
| Extera Public School No. 2 |
| Family First Charter |
| Fenton Avenue Charter |
| Fenton Charter Leadership Academy |
| Fenton Primary Center |
| Fenton STEM Academy: Elementary Center for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics |
| Gabriella Charter |
| Gabriella Charter 2 |
| Ganas Academy |
| Gaspar De Portola Charter Middle |
| George Ellery Hale Charter Academy |
| Girls Athletic Leadership School Los Angeles |
| Global Education Academy |
| Global Education Academy 2 |
| Goethe International Charter |
| Gorman Learning Center |
| Grace Hopper STEM Academy |
| Granada Hills Charter |
| Grover Cleveland Charter High |
| Hamlin Charter Academy |
| Hawthorne Math and Science Academy |
| Haynes Charter For Enriched Studies |
| Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter |
| High Tech LA |
| High Tech LA Middle |
| ICEF Inglewood Elementary Charter Academy |
| ICEF Innovation Los Angeles Charter |
| ICEF View Park Preparatory Elementary |
| ICEF View Park Preparatory High |
| ICEF View Park Preparatory Middle |
| ICEF Vista Elementary Academy |
| ICEF Vista Middle Academy |
| iLEAD Agua Dulce |
| iLEAD Hybrid |
| iLEAD Lancaster Charter |
| iLEAD Online |
| Ingenium Charter |
| Ingenium Charter Middle |
| Ingenium Clarion Charter Middle |
| Intellectual Virtues Academy |
| Intellectual Virtues Academy of Long Beach |
| Invictus Leadership Academy |
| iQ Academy California-Los Angeles |
| ISANA Achernar Academy |
| ISANA Cardinal Academy |
| ISANA Himalia Academy |
| ISANA Nascent Academy |
| ISANA Octavia Academy |
| ISANA Palmati Academy |
| Ivy Academia |
| Ivy Bound Academy Math, Science, and Technology Charter Middle 2 |
| Ivy Bound Academy of Math, Science, and Technology Charter Middle |
| James Jordan Middle |
| Jardin de la Infancia |
| Justice Street Academy Charter |
| Kenter Canyon Elementary Charter |
| KIPP Academy of Innovation |
| KIPP Academy of Opportunity |
| KIPP Comienza Community Prep |
| KIPP Compton Community |
| KIPP Corazon Academy |
| KIPP Empower Academy |
| KIPP Ignite Academy |
| KIPP Iluminar Academy |
| KIPP Los Angeles College Preparatory |
| KIPP Philosophers Academy |
| KIPP Promesa Prep |
| KIPP Pueblo Unido |
| KIPP Raices Academy |
| KIPP Scholar Academy |
| KIPP Sol Academy |
| KIPP Vida Preparatory Academy |
| Knollwood Preparatory Academy |
| La Tijera K-8 Charter School Academy of Excellence |
| La Verne Science and Technology Charter |
| LA’s Promise Charter High #1 |
| LA’s Promise Charter Middle #1 |
| Larchmont Charter |
| Lashon Academy |
| Lashon Academy City |
| Learning by Design Charter |
| Learning Works |
| Lennox Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy |
| Libertas College Preparatory Charter |
| Life Source International Charter |
| Lifeline Education Charter |
| Lockhurst Drive Charter Elementary |
| Los Angeles Academy of Arts and Enterprise |
| Los Angeles College Prep Academy |
| Los Angeles Leadership Academy |
| Los Angeles Leadership Primary Academy |
| Los Feliz Charter Middle School for the Arts |
| Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts |
| Magnolia Science Academy |
| Magnolia Science Academy 2 |
| Magnolia Science Academy 3 |
| Magnolia Science Academy 4 |
| Magnolia Science Academy 5 |
| Magnolia Science Academy 6 |
| Magnolia Science Academy 7 |
| Magnolia Science Academy Bell |
| Marquez Charter |
| Math and Science College Preparatory |
| Matrix For Success Academy |
| Method Schools, LA |
| Mission Academy |
| Mission View Public |
| Monsenor Oscar Romero Charter Middle |
| Montague Charter Academy |
| Multicultural Learning Center |
| N.E.W. Academy Canoga Park |
| N.E.W. Academy of Science and Arts |
| Nestle Avenue Charter |
| New Designs Charter |
| New Designs Charter School-Watts |
| New Heights Charter |
| new Horizons Charter Academy |
| New Los Angeles Charter |
| New Los Angeles Charter Elementary |
| New Millennium Secondary |
| New Opportunities Charter |
| New Village Girls Academy |
| New West Charter |
| North Valley Military Institute College Preparatory Academy |
| Ocean Charter |
| OCS – South |
| Odyssey Charter |
| Open Charter Magnet |
| Opportunities for Learning – Baldwin Park |
| Opportunities for Learning – Duarte |
| Opportunities for Learning – Santa Clarita |
| Optimist Charter |
| Options for Youth – Duarte, Inc |
| Options for Youth San Gabriel |
| Options For Youth-Acton, INC. |
| Oscar De La Hoya Animo Charter High |
| Our Community Charter |
| Pacoima Charter Elementary |
| Palisades Charter Elementary |
| Palisades Charter High |
| Palmdale Aerospace Academy |
| Para Los Niños – Evelyn Thurman Gratts Primary |
| Para Los Niños Charter |
| Para Los Niños Middle |
| Pasadena Rosebud Academy |
| Pathways Academy Charter Adult Education |
| Paul Revere Charter Middle |
| Plainview Academic Charter Academy |
| Pomelo Community Charter |
| Port of Los Angeles High |
| PREPA TEC – Los Angeles |
| Prepa Tec Los Angeles High |
| Public Policy Charter |
| PUC CALS Middle School and Early College High |
| PUC Community Charter Elementary |
| PUC Community Charter Middle and PUC Community Charter Early College High |
| PUC Early College Academy for Leaders and Scholars (eCALS) |
| PUC Excel Charter Academy |
| PUC Inspire Charter Academy |
| PUC Lakeview Charter Academy |
| PUC Lakeview Charter High |
| PUC Milagro Charter |
| PUC Nueva Esperanza Charter Academy |
| PUC Triumph Charter Academy and PUC Triumph Charter High |
| Puente Charter |
| Renaissance Arts Academy |
| Reseda Charter High |
| Resolute Academy Charter |
| Rise Kohyang Elementary |
| Rise Kohyang High |
| Rise Kohyang Middle |
| Riverside Drive Charter |
| Robert A. Millikan Affiliated Charter & Performing Arts Magnet Middle |
| Sage Oak Charter School- Keppel |
| San Jose Charter Academy |
| Santa Clarita Valley International |
| Santa Monica Boulevard Community Charter |
| Scholarship Prep – Lomita-Harbor City |
| School of Arts and Enterprise |
| School of Extended Educational Options |
| Serrania Avenue Charter For Enriched Studies |
| Sherman Oaks Elementary Charter |
| SIATech Academy South |
| Soleil Academy Charter |
| Stella Elementary Charter Academy |
| Stella Middle Charter Academy |
| STEM Preparatory Elementary |
| Superior Street Elementary |
| Sylmar Charter High |
| Synergy Charter Academy |
| Synergy Kinetic Academy |
| Synergy Quantum Academy |
| Taft Charter High |
| TEACH Academy of Technologies |
| TEACH Preparatory Mildred S. Cunningham & Edith H. Morris Elementary |
| TEACH Tech Charter High |
| The City |
| Today’s Fresh Start Charter School Inglewood |
| Today’s Fresh Start-Compton |
| Topanga Elementary Charter |
| Topeka Charter School For Advanced Studies |
| University High School Charter |
| University Preparatory Value High |
| Valiente College Preparatory Charter |
| Valley Charter Elementary |
| Valley Charter Middle |
| Valley International Preparatory High |
| Valor Academy Elementary |
| Valor Academy High |
| Valor Academy Middle |
| Van Gogh Charter |
| Vaughn Next Century Learning Center |
| Village Charter Academy |
| Vista Charter Middle |
| Vista Horizon Global Academy |
| Vox Collegiate of Los Angeles |
| Wallis Annenberg High |
| Watts Learning Center |
| Watts Learning Center Charter Middle |
| We The People |
| Welby Way Charter Elementary School And Gifted-High Ability Magnet |
| Westwood Charter Elementary |
| Wilbur Charter For Enriched Academics |
| Wilder’s Preparatory Academy Charter |
| Wilder’s Preparatory Academy Charter Middle |
| WISH Academy High |
| WISH Community |
| Woodlake Elementary Community Charter |
| Woodland Hills Elementary Charter For Enriched Studies |
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