In recent decades, more and more types of schools have emerged in the country, like magnet and charter schools. If you’re like most people, you’re probably wondering what the difference is between a charter school and a magnet school. The following information will provide you with definitions of both of these types of schools and how they differ from each other. We will take an in-depth look at these schools and what they do for their students and community.
Charter Schools
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, charter schools are publicly funded schools that are usually run by a group or organization under a contract with a jurisdiction or the state itself. The government allows them to have their own rules and regulations in exchange for agreeing to adhere to state testing requirements. These schools are exempt from certain rules and regulations that state and federally funded public schools must adhere to. Charter schools can receive both private and public funding.
These schools are independently operated public schools that are started by for-profit companies, organizations, teachers, and/or parents. Sometimes a charter school can even be run by an existing public school. Since these are still public schools, tuition is not charged for enrollment. They are also not subject to any scrutiny by government authorities or school boards that normal public schools are.
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Charter schools are considered more cutting edge than average public schools, usually challenging the standard education practices performed by other public schools. Sometimes these schools specialize in certain areas, while others take a more basic core-subjects approach. Some schools even specifically target certain kids, like those who are gifted or at-risk.
Magnet Schools
Magnet schools take up probably the lowest percentage of schools around the country. There are initially created in the 1970s as a way to desegregate schools by bringing together varieties of students with different backgrounds. According to Business Insider, many of them emerged in poorer areas with more minority populations with hopes of pulling families back to areas they may have recently fled. Even now, magnet schools hold the goal of educating through student diversity.
Magnet schools are similar to charter schools because they typically offer non-traditional approaches to learning, but they are solely public in their funding. As they are completely public, they must adhere to local and state education regulations, unlike charter schools. Usually, magnet schools have an academic or social focus in their education. These schools are also considered public schools and can be both tuition-free or not.
These schools tend to be more rigorous and specialized than charter schools. They tend to be highly competitive, selective and they are renowned for their academic standards. While these are public schools, students are usually expected to apply to these schools and go through a rigorous testing process.
The differences between these schools may seem slight since they are both public schools. But each of these schools offers something different to their students and are run and funded by different means. Some rules apply to one school but not the other, and students may receive a certain education that is not provided by the other. It’s important to understand the difference between a charter school and magnet school, especially if you’re considering what is best for your child.
