A public charter school is a public school that provides education in an innovative or enhanced way to improve student learning and contribute to educational choice. This means that parents and students have increased opportunity to choose an education that best serves student needs.

-Public Charter School Handbook

Differences between Charter Schools and Traditional Public Schools

• Charter schools on average outperform public schools on Provincial Achievement Test scores.
• Requires less governmental funding per student compared to public schools.
• Each charter school has it’s own unique education styles and approaches to teaching
• Charter schools cannot be religious in nature.

Similarities between Charter Schools and Traditional Public Schools

• Follows the Alberta curriculum and is held accountable by the Minister of Education.
• Teachers must be accredited.
• Receive funding from the Government of Alberta
• Cannot turn students away as long as the school is not at capacity.
• Cannot charge tuition.

While a charter school is technically a public school and it is evaluated by government of Alberta, charter schools are run by autonomous non-profit organizations.