What is a Charter School?

Exploring California’s First and Most Trusted Charter School—Options For Youth

When families explore school options, one question often comes up: What exactly is a charter school?

If you’ve never heard of one—or aren’t sure how they’re different from traditional public schools—you’re not alone. At Options For Youth (OFY), we’ve been helping students thrive for more than 30 years as one of California’s very first charter schools. In fact, we were part of a movement that changed public education for the better.

Here’s what you should know about charter schools—and how they benefit students, families, and entire communities.

A Charter School Is a Public School—with More Flexibility

​Charter schools are free public schools that are open to all students. Just like traditional public schools, they are funded by the state and must follow state education standards, but what sets them apart is how they teach and support students.

According to the California Department of Education, and pursuant to California Education Code (EC) Section 47601, state law requires that “charter schools operate independently from the existing school district structure as a method to accomplish all of the following:

• Improve pupil learning.
• Increase learning opportunities for all pupils, with special emphasis on expanded learning experiences for pupils who are identified as academically low achieving.
• Encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods.
• Create new professional opportunities for teachers, including the opportunity to be responsible for the learning program at the school site.
• Provide parents and pupils with expanded choices in the types of educational opportunities that are available within the public school system.
• Hold the schools established under this part accountable for meeting measurable pupil outcomes, and provide the schools with a method to change from rule-based to performance-based accountability systems.
• Provide vigorous competition within the public school system to stimulate continual improvements in all public schools.

All charter schools, no matter where they are located in the country, are public and therefore non-discriminatory in their admissions. Students cannot be turned away based on the color of their skin, special needs, parent employment or income, or similar factors.

When more students attempt to enroll in a charter school than space allows, a blind lottery is used to select new students to maintain fair and equal access. Public charter schools are not allowed to charge tuition and cannot be affiliated with any religious organization or doctrine. All charter schools must also participate in state-mandated standardized testing.

Why Were Charter Schools Created?

Charter schools were created to give families more choices in public education—especially in communities where traditional schools may not meet every student’s needs.

In 1992, California passed a groundbreaking law that let parents, teachers, and community leaders open new types of schools to serve students in innovative ways. OFY was among the very first.

The goal?
To improve learning for all students—especially those who needed something different to succeed.

Do Charter Schools Take Money from Traditional Schools?

This is a common concern, but it’s important to understand how school funding works. Public schools—both traditional and charter—receive funding based on student enrollment. That money is intended to follow the student.

In other words, when a student enrolls in a charter school, the funding that would have gone to their traditional school follows them. It’s not about one school “losing” money, it's about a student accessing the public education option that best supports their success.

How Do Charter Schools Help Communities?

Charter schools like OFY do more than teach students—we build stronger communities by:

• Helping students stay on track to graduate
• Supporting those who face challenges in traditional school settings
• Partnering with families to create a learning plan that fits real life
• Preparing students for college, career, and beyond

What Makes OFY Different?

As one of California’s first charter schools, Options For Youth has a long history of helping students who might feel left behind in traditional schools—whether due to life circumstances, learning needs, or personal goals.

At OFY, that means we can offer:

• Smaller class sizes
• Independent study options
• Career and technical education
• Online learning and flexible schedules
• Social-emotional support that meets students where they are

We’re here to prove that education doesn’t have to look one way—and every student deserves a chance to learn, grow, and graduate on their own terms.

Learn More

Choosing a school is a big decision. If you're looking for a different kind of support for your student, a charter school like OFY could be the right fit.

Visit ofy.org to explore how Options For Youth can help your student succeed—in school and in life.