What Is a Charter School — and Is It Public or Private?

Charter schools are tuition-free, independently run, and growing fast in North Carolina — but are they public or private? The answer might surprise you.

Charter schools are public schools, but with more flexibility. They’re funded by taxpayer dollars just like traditional public schools, but they operate independently — often with a unique mission, curriculum, or approach to learning. That freedom allows charter schools to innovate and adapt in ways many district schools can’t.

In North Carolina, charter schools are open to all students and cannot charge tuition. They’re held accountable to high standards, but they’re also free from some of the regulations that govern traditional public schools. That balance of autonomy + accountability is what makes them appealing to many families.

So, while charter schools are public, they operate differently — offering parents more choices within the public system and giving students more pathways to succeed.