Are charter schools in Florida public schools, and how do they work?

A charter school runs under a performance contract, called a charter. It is free from many regulations made for traditional public schools, and it is held accountable for its academic and financial results. Most charters are granted for five years.

Each charter school must be organized as, or run by, a nonprofit organization. Its governing board negotiates a contract with the district school board, which becomes the school's sponsor. Each school must appoint a parent-involvement representative who lives in the district, and its governing board must hold at least two public meetings in the district each school year.

Charter schools may not charge tuition or registration fees. A school may focus on certain age groups or grade levels, or on students at risk of dropping out or failing. It may give enrollment preference to groups such as siblings of current students, children of its board members and employees, and children of active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The school and the district must work together so that transportation does not keep a student who lives within a reasonable distance from attending.

Charter schools get school grades on the same standards as traditional public schools. The sponsor may close a charter school that misses the student results agreed in its charter, fails to meet standards of fiscal management or breaks the law.

The Florida Department of Education counts more than 739 charter schools in the 2025-2026 school year, and on May 14, 2026, it said more than 400,000 students were enrolled. Its Charter Schools Office, part of the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice in Tallahassee, answers questions at 850-245-0502, or toll-free at 800-447-1636.

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