Baltimore City Schools
What’s the Difference Between Public, Charter and Private Schools
Charter schools are public schools of choice. Unlike private schools, they receive public funding, cannot charge tuition, and are not allowed to have admissions criteria. Also, unlike private schools, charter schools are subject to the same state and all federal regulations as traditional public schools.
A Charter school is an independently run public school that has been granted greater flexibility in its operations, in return for greater accountability for performance. The “charter” establishing each school is a performance contract detailing the school’s mission, program, students served and performance goals and methods of assessment.
Charter schools are public schools of choice, meaning that families choose them for their children. Parents do usually have to apply and spaces are limited, just because you live in the area doesn’t guarantee your child a place. Charter schools can’t discriminate against students because of their race, religion, gender or disability. They operate with freedom from some of the regulations that are imposed on district schools. Charter schools are accountable for academic results and for upholding the promises made in their charters. They must demonstrate performance in the areas of academic achievement, financial management, and organizational stability. If a charter school does not meet their performance goals, it could be closed.
Private schools are free to offer religious education, or a curriculum that is not regulated by state standards. Private schools can discriminate based on religion, gender, familial status and a number of other criteria. Some good schools are not accredited, although most are. Accreditation ensures that the school meets regional or national standards set by a group of peers. Tuition can be expensive and therefore private schools aren’t for everyone.
By law, public schools must accept every child in its district, but this doesn’t mean your child will get into the school of your choice. Magnet schools draw children from larger areas than a neighborhood zone and can be very difficult to get into. Charter schools can also be hard to get into if they are popular and they may use a lottery system to fill any vacancies.
Private schools are not required to accept every child and often require an extensive application process that may involve multiple interviews, essays and testing. Private schools can be extremely selective and they can discriminate based on a child or family’s ethnicity, gender, religion, as well as the special attributes or assets of their parents.
The Baltimore Curriculum Project is a nonprofit that operates a network of neighborhood charter schools in Baltimore City which include City Springs Elementary/Middle School, Hampstead Hill Academy and Wolfe Street Academy. Govans Elementary will become a Baltimore Curriculum Project charter school in 2015.
Start-Up Charters require a lottery system for admission, therefore if you move into a neighborhood with a start-up charter there is no guarantee that your children will be able to enroll in the charter school. However, Baltimore Curriculum Project schools work with existing neighborhood schools and convert them to charter schools and as a result they continue to serve the neighborhood zone. Any child living in or moving into a Baltimore Curriculum Project school neighborhood may enroll at any time of the year, at any grade level, without applying through a lottery.
Baltimore Curriculum Project schools serve as an anchor for strong neighborhoods, attracting families, businesses and neighborhood investment. All BCP schools have experienced growth in enrollment. Because BCP schools serve neighborhoods each school reflects the unique character and needs of its community.
There are currently 31 charter schools serving Baltimore City neighborhoods and helping to make those neighborhoods stronger. For more information about these schools visit this website.
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