Discover the advantages of NYC charter schools for your child’s future

Not all charter schools are created equal – have you seen the brou-haha about discipline gone wild at Success Academy? Yeah, no thanks! My 5 year old doesn’t need that kind of ‘tude. 

But, when done right, charter schools combine the best of private and public schools – and still does it for the cost of attending a public school. Nope – sorry to burst your bubble – public school isn’t free. 

AND I’m not just talking about the taxes you already paid for them. I’m talking about aftercare programs (school day ends at 2 pm for public schools, about 4 pm for charter schools), summer camp, and the many (!!!) random days off during the school year. 

Talk about death by a back to back inconvenient days off for working parents. 

Charter schools don’t necessarily give working parents any breathing room when it comes to random days off, but they mostly get things right when it comes to fostering an engaging learning environment and providing academic rigor. 

How charter schools are different from public schools in NYC

Charter schools in NYC are public schools that are independently run and have more flexibility in terms of curriculum, budget, and staffing than traditional public schools. 

Here are some key differences:

1. Governance: Charter schools in NY are overseen by the charter entity/authorizer that approved the charter school and the Board of Regents. The NY State Education Department Charter School Office has a useful parents guide to charter schools.  Traditional public schools in NYC are overseen by the NYC Department of Education, while the NY State Education Department oversees the public schools in the rest of the state. 

Advantage: charter schools. Because they are given more autonomy, they are held to higher standards and measured against the academic outcomes outlined in their charter. There are two primary authorizers in NY state – SUNY and the Board of Regents. I didn’t check for the BOard of Regents, but SUNY has a great site where parents can check the accountability plan performance reports for each charter school. 

2. Admissions: Charter schools are open to all students, but often have lotteries or other selection processes if there are more applicants than available seats. Traditional public schools are generally assigned by the NYC Department of Education based on zoning and enrollment policies.

Advantage: draw

3. Funding: Charter schools receive funding from the government based on the number of students they enroll, but they do not receive funds for facilities. Traditional public schools receive both operating and capital funds from the government.

Advantage: DOE (slight)

4. Curriculum: Charter schools have more flexibility in terms of curriculum and teaching methods than traditional public schools. They are required to follow the state standards, but can develop their own programs and assessments.

Advantage: charter schools 

5. Teacher certification: Charter schools are not required to hire certified teachers, but most do. Traditional public schools are required to hire certified teachers.

Advantage: DOE

6. Accountability: Charter schools are held accountable for student performance and can be shut down if they fail to meet academic standards or other requirements. Traditional public schools are subject to oversight by the NYC Department of Education, but are not at risk of closure for poor performance.

Advantage: charter schools

What would make teachers want to teach for NYC charter schools instead of the DOE?

In my last post, I noted that charter school teachers in NYC earn less than their public school counterparts. The benefits that NYC charter school teachers receive can vary depending on the specific school and their individual contract. 

In terms of differences between charter school teacher benefits and those of public school teachers in NYC, one potential area is retirement benefits. Most NYC public school teachers are enrolled in the New York City Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), which provides a defined-benefit pension plan. 

Charter school teachers are generally not enrolled in TRS and may instead be enrolled in a 401(k) or other retirement plan. TBH, without seeing the terms face to face, it is not possible to say if a pension is better than a 401(k) and vice versa.

It’s also worth noting that charters may offer different types of benefits or perks, such as tuition reimbursement or flexible scheduling, that are not typically offered in traditional public schools. 

All the same, there are several reasons why teachers may choose to work for charters over public schools, despite potentially lower salaries and benefits than those offered in traditional public schools. 

1. Mission-driven work: Charters often have a clear mission or educational philosophy that resonates with teachers who are passionate about education reform or working with a particular student population. Especially for those that align with a particular philosophy like the international baccalaureate model, it’s enticing to work at a school that aligns themselves with the methodology. 
2. Autonomy and innovation: Charters typically have more autonomy than traditional public schools, which can allow teachers to be more creative and innovative in their teaching approach. This can be attractive to teachers who want to have more control over their classroom and curriculum.
3. Better class sizing: Many charter schools have smaller class sizes or higher student:teacher ratios, which can allow teachers to build stronger relationships with their students and provide more individualized instruction.
4. Professional growth opportunities: Charters often provide opportunities for professional development, leadership roles, and other growth opportunities that may not be as readily available in traditional public schools.
5. Work environment and culture: Teachers may choose to work at a charter school because they appreciate the school’s work culture or the relationships they have with their colleagues, administrators, or students.

Pros and cons of charter schools

There are several potential benefits and drawbacks to enrolling in an NYC charter school versus an NYC public school at the elementary school level. Here are some key factors to consider:

Pros:

1. Specialized curriculum: Charter schools often have a specialized curriculum or educational approach that may be better suited to a child’s interests or needs than a traditional public school.
2. Better class sizing: Many charter schools have higher student: teacher ratios (some have smaller class sizes) than traditional public schools, which can provide a more individualized learning experience and allow for more one-on-one attention from teachers.
3. More parental involvement: Charter schools often require more parental involvement and participation than traditional public schools, which can help parents stay informed and involved in their child’s education.
4. High academic standards: Charter schools are often held to high academic standards and may have a stronger focus on test preparation and college readiness.

Cons:

1. Limited enrollment: Charter schools typically have limited enrollment and may require a lottery or other selection process, which can be competitive and may result in a child not being admitted.
2. Less funding: Charters generally receive less funding than traditional public schools, which may result in fewer resources and less support for special needs students.
3. Less stability: Charter schools may be more prone to closure or changes in leadership than traditional public schools, which can result in less stability for students and families.
4. Potential for unqualified teachers: Charters are not required to hire certified teachers, which can result in a potential lack of quality and experience in the teaching staff.

Ultimately, whether you choose to enroll in a charter or a local DOE school comes down to what you’ll get over and above your local public school, and your child’s temperament. 

Charter schools do not typically have gifted and talented programs, so if your child is truly gifted (rare!), this is not the panacea that will solve your family’s problems. But compared to an average local public school, it might be a better solution. 

If you’re on the fence, I created the Confident Decision Maker’s Toolkit to help parents evaluating programs. This toolkit has the data, questions, and decision making tools you need to choose the right program for your child. It is the most effective $50 you’ll spend!