What Are Charter Schools in California?

If you’ve ever looked into alternative education options for your child, you’ve probably stumbled across the term “charter school” and wondered what it actually means. And more importantly, you’ve probably asked yourself: do I have to pay for this?

The short answer is no. But there’s more to the story, and it’s worth understanding before you make any decisions for your family.

Charter, Public, or Private? Where Charter Schools Fit

Here’s the quickest way to see how the three options compare:

	Charter School	Traditional Public School	Private School
Cost to families	Free	Free	Tuition-based
Public funding	Yes, per-pupil (LCFF)	Yes, per-pupil (LCFF)	No
Admission	Open enrollment, lottery if oversubscribed	Assigned by residence, some open-enrollment options	Selective, application-based
Curriculum	Flexible model, still meets California standards	Set by the district	Independent, sets its own standards
State testing	Required	Required	Not required
Teacher certification	Required in California	Required	Not required in California

What Is a Charter School, Really?

A charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently from the traditional public school district. It’s still a state school in the sense that it receives government funding, but it operates under a charter-a contract with an authorizing agency, often a local school district or the California Department of Education.

That contract gives the school freedom to innovate in how it teaches, organizes its programs, and serves students. In exchange, the school is held accountable for academic results.

Are California Charter Schools Actually Free?

Yes. Charter schools in California are free to attend. There are no tuition payments required from families. Like traditional public schools, California charter schools are funded through state and federal dollars based on student enrollment.

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and the CCSA (California Charter Schools Association) both confirm this as a foundational principle of the charter school model across charter schools in the United States.

What you get access to at no cost often includes:

• Credentialed teachers and academic oversight
• Curriculum resources and learning materials
• Workshops and parent support programs
• Pathways toward college readiness, including UC A-G approved courses

Is a Charter School the Same as Homeschooling?

Because several of Horizon’s programs are home-based, families sometimes wonder whether a charter home study program is really just homeschooling with extra paperwork. It isn’t, and the differences matter.

Independent homeschooling in California is typically set up through a private school affidavit. It comes with no public funding, no required credentialed teacher oversight, and no obligation to follow California’s academic content standards or participate in state testing.

A charter home study program works differently. The student is enrolled in a public school, which means the family has access to public instructional funds, works under the guidance of a credentialed Supervising Teacher, follows a personalized learning plan built around California’s academic standards, and participates in required state assessments. Families keep real control over the daily schedule and teaching approach, but the school carries a level of legal accountability for the student’s education that independent homeschooling does not.

How Does Horizon Charter Schools Fit In?

Horizon Charter Schools has been serving Northern California families since 1993 and is based in Lincoln, CA. As a legitimate LEA (Local Educational Agency), Horizon operates under the same legal framework as any California charter school-publicly funded, tuition-free, and fully accountable.

What makes Horizon different is the flexibility it offers. Families can choose from several learning models depending on what works best for their student and their lifestyle.

Learning Options Available

• Supported Home Study gives families a structured approach with guidance from credentialed supervising teachers. 
• Alternative Home Study offers more independence for experienced home educators. 
• Blended Learning combines in-person instruction with home-based work.
• On-Demand Learning allows students to move through coursework at their own pace.

Each path is designed around the student, not a rigid system.

Who Can Enroll in a California Charter School?

California charter schools have to accept every student who applies. Admission can’t be based on academic performance, test scores, an interview, or a student’s need for extra support. If a school receives more applications than it has space for, state law requires a public random lottery to decide enrollment, though schools may give priority to certain groups, such as siblings of currently enrolled students or children of school staff, if those preferences are written into the school’s charter.

At Horizon, any TK-12 student living in Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, or Sacramento County is eligible to apply. Because specific programs can fill up, it’s worth checking current availability before you apply.

What Law Governs Charter Schools in California?

Charter schools in California operate under the California Charter Schools Act of 1992, which falls under state education law. This legislation established the framework that allows charter schools to exist as independent public schools while still serving the broader public education mission.

The California Department of Education oversees compliance, ensuring schools like Horizon meet academic and operational standards.

Common Misconceptions Worth Clearing Up

Some families assume charter schools are private schools with a different name. They are not.

Others worry there are hidden fees. At Horizon, there are none – families receive real resources and real support at no cost.

The goal is to remove barriers, not create them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are charter schools public or private?

Public. Charter schools receive public funding, charge no tuition, and have to follow core state education requirements, even though they operate with more flexibility than a typical district school.

Do you have to test or apply to get into a charter school?

There’s no entrance exam. California charter schools must accept any student who applies, though a public random lottery decides admission if a program receives more applications than it has space for.

Can charter schools charge fees?

No. California charter schools can’t charge tuition or mandatory fees for a student’s core education. Optional costs, like a specific field trip, may still apply, similar to a traditional public school.

Is a charter school the same as homeschooling?

Not quite. A charter home study program is a public school enrollment with credentialed teacher oversight and state academic standards attached. Independent homeschooling in California typically involves no public funding and no state oversight.

Do charter school teachers need to be certified?

In California, yes. State law requires charter school teachers to hold the same Commission on Teacher Credentialing document required for their assignment, the same as a district school teacher. We cover this in more detail in Do Teachers at Charter Schools Have to Be Certified?

What California Charter Schools Mean for Your Family

California charter schools are genuinely free, publicly funded, and built to serve students who thrive outside a one-size-fits-all model. If your family is looking for something more flexible and personalized, Horizon Charter Schools offers real options backed by 30 years of experience. 

To learn more about how the Supported Home Study program works and whether it fits your family’s needs, explore that program directly and take the first step toward a better fit for your child. You can also reach Horizon at 916-408-5200 or 916-408-5210.