Charter School vs. Public School: Difference & Enrollment

While the vast majority of students in Colorado are currently enrolled in public schools, approximately 136,220 students (15.5%) attended a charter school in 2025. According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, this traditional alternative is becoming a permanent part of the American public education system, with charter school enrollment experiencing widespread momentum nationwide.

As the trend for alternative education continues to rise, many parents are trying to determine the difference between charter and public school offerings.

Understanding Traditional Public Schools

Attendance at a public school is determined by where a student resides, with each school district having strict boundaries in place to control overcrowding and low attendance. These neighborhood schools are tuition-free and publicly funded by property taxes and other state/federal government budgets.    

Due to this structure, traditional public schools are required to follow state-mandated curriculum standards while adhering to stringent governing rules and regulations enacted by local elected school boards.

Understanding Charter Schools

Charter schools are independently run and typically given more freedom than traditional public schools. They are publicly funded, and parents are not required to pay tuition. Students typically benefit from an innovative, structured curriculum that is not offered in the public sector, such as:

• Classical Education

• Fine Arts Curriculum

• Language Immersion

• STEM-Focused Ideology

• Vocational Training

In charter schools, teaching philosophies often do not align with state standards, instead prioritizing student needs through rigorous academic requirements, project-based learning, or whole-child development strategies.

Key Differences: A Comparative Look

Attendance: Despite being tuition-free, charter schools operate autonomously and can deny enrollment to a student for various reasons, excluding discrimination. Traditional public schools, however, must admit all students who reside within their boundaries, regardless of special needs or classroom capacity.  

Curriculum: Traditional public schools must follow state-mandated rules for curriculum, testing, and teaching standards, adhering to the guidance of a local school board. Charter schools enjoy greater flexibility, which allows them to focus on active participation, critical thinking, and rigorous curriculum standards for real-world engagement.  

Governance: Charter schools operate under special agreements that allow them to customize their staffing ratios, discipline policies, and academic focus. While they must meet specific performance goals, they are exempt from many of the standards that govern traditional public schools.

Empowering Your Educational Choice

The Rocky Mountain Classical Academy (RMCA) is the leading charter school option in Colorado Springs, and enrollment for the 2026/27 school year is currently open for kindergarten to 8th grade. We offer an award-winning classical education supported by a team of dedicated teachers and staff who embrace a welcoming, family-oriented culture for our students.  

To attend RMCA, all students must be residents of Colorado. Children entering first grade must be at least six years of age before August 1 of the upcoming school year. To be considered for enrollment, all applications must be received by the dates posted here to be included in the lottery.

We encourage you to contact us to schedule a tour of the school. You can also learn more about enrollment by attending the upcoming 2026 prospective family night information session.

Image credit: // Shutterstock // Rido