What is the difference between public, charter and magnet schools?

Question

Not sure if this varies geographically, but I am from the Philadelphia area.

Answer 1

Technically, in the US all schools supported by public taxes and administered by way of public school districts are "public schools." Most such public schools are "comprehensive"; that is, they are required to serve all students within a designated area, including students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, social and economic classes, ability levels, and collegiate or vocational intentions. But public schools may also include a number of "special schools." In the old days, these special schools included vocational schools, schools for the blind or deaf, sometimes for youngsters with other special needs, and the like. These, of course, are not comprehensive high schools or elementary schools but they are still "public"'; i.e., they are supported by public taxes and administered by local or special school "districts." (Curiously and confusingly, in England, "public" schools are what we call private schools with limited enrollments and, usually significant fees.)

In recent years, two other kinds of special schools have been instituted from state to state to address social and educational needs of communities, families, and particular students. Both of these still receive public support, are created under state laws, and are administed to one degree or another under publicly determined standards.

The first of these were "magnet" schools, which offered a special kind of program that would attract students (=serve as a magnet). These include many kinds of schools; probably the most frequent are those devoted to the arts, to sciences, computer technology, and special career interests, such as health, horticulture, business, and the like. Magnet schools are devoted to such special programs, but also some schools have magnet programs though they also contine to serve as comprehensive schools for local youngsters. In the South and in some districts with segregated populations, often identified by court action, such "magnet" programs were designed to attract white youngsters into previously minority neighborhood schools. Some, for example, would offer an IB program (International Baccalaureate program for bright, college-bound students) in one wing of the building and a comprehensive program in another. Technically, such buildings were integrated, but often the two separate wings, for the most part, were still racially or ethnically segregated.

Some magnet schools, particularly those in performing and visual arts, have had remarkable success and have attained national reputations. To be quite candid, some of these schools with such "magnet" programs received high rankings and national recognition because of the achievements of students in the "magnet programs" even though students in the other program, sometimes called "reggies," for "regular students," have no better achievement and no more special programs than other struggling or "inner-city" schools.

More recently, many states have created a limited number of "charter" schools; that is, schools operating within a public school district but under charters that grant them certain freedoms from the administrative policies of comprehensive schools. These vary a great deal from state to state. Some charter schools serve students with special needs or students who are reluctant learners, even potential drop-outs. Others, like magnet schools, serve students with special interests, such as the arts, the sciences, health profressions, and the like. Others offer what are often called "alternative" schools; that is, they have more open classrooms and curricula, and are operated on different schedules and under different sorts of rules and regulatons. The great advantage of charter schools was supposed to be considerable freedom from certain strict administrative policies imposed by districts or the state on comprehensive schools. Some charter schools also have support from other sources (for example, foundations, private benefactors, local donors, community groups, and the like) and elicit advice and direction from parent groups and/or advisory councils. To my knowledge, some of the most successful charter schools have enjoyed considerable administrative freedom and substantial support beyond the tax monies allocated to them. Most states limit the number of charter schools permitted in each district and/or the number of students to be served by such schools. Usually, the percentage of students in any given district enrolled in charter schools is relatively small.

Charter schools were sometimes seen as an alternative to school vouchers, especially the awarding of vouchers to students attending private or parochial schools.

I hope this response proves helpful. I have observed a number of "public" schools, including magnet schools, magnet programs, and charter schools at first hand. Some of them are quite promising. None of them, as yet, have solved the immense problems facing public education.

In my opinion, perhaps a more promising approach to "public education" is that of Deborah Meier, especially as she developed it in the 1980s in Central Park East "school-within-in-school" in NYC. See
http://www.missionhillschool.org/dmeier/deb.html
for more details.

See also the work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in education, under the direction of Tom Van Ark. They support and monitor New Schools or model schools, and particularly emphasize the need to control the size of high schools. See
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/Education/

Answer 2

Charter School Vs Magnet School

Answer 3

Magnet School Vs Charter School

Answer 4

A public school is a school funded by the U.S government that is legally required to allow students of all race, religion, gender, etc. to obtain an education. Basically, it is a publicly funded building, so they must allow the entire public to attend. A magnet school is usually a public school with a somewhat enhanced learning program. Some magnet schools require applications, but usually, this is just for the magnet program. There are many magnet schools that are private schools, but the majority have a "magnet program" which enrolls students and allows them to take an advanced curriculum at a public institution. A private school is a self/alumni funded school which does not have the same requirement to enroll people of all genders or religions. They are not publicly funded, so the U.S government has little to no say in how they are run. However, private schools usually have an admission fee. This fee can be anywhere from one hundred dollars to thirty thousand for one year.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is the difference between public, charter and magnet schools?
Not sure if this varies geographically, but I am from the Philadelphia area.

Answer 6

I can help you with that. I'm originally from Philadelphia and graduated from Central H.S. in Philadelphia which is a magnet school.

Public Schools are school which are run by the state or by the city you live in such as the School District of Philadelphia. They generally give the basic required education set by U.S. Department of Education. Everyone is Accepted

Charter Schools are school which are run independently by community leaders, colleges, and by parents and teachers, but are regulated by the state or city depending on the area. They have less guidelines on how they are run, but they must meet the basic requirements as public schools. School determines who is accepted

Magnet schools are the same as public schools except they are specialty schools. They can specialize in college prep by giving advanced courses such as Central H.S. of Philadelphia to anywhere such as WB Saul H.S. in Philadelphia which specializes in Agriculture which my brother went to. These schools have certain requirements which you have to meet and maintain in order to go to them and typically have an interview and application process. Requirments must be met. Everyone Accpeted as long as slots are available.

Of the three I would recommend a magnet school because it will give you an advantage in the field of study you prefer and it looks good on your college applications.

Hope this helps

Answer 7

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Answer 8

Good question