SURVEY OF CHARTER SCHOOLS 1998-1999

SMALLER SCHOOLS WITH LONGER WAITING LISTS

        Research shows that smaller schools aid student achievement. Charter schools deliver the smaller size that parents want. As Figure 1 indicates, most charter schools are relatively small, with average enrollment about 250 students, compared to the average of 710 in traditional public schools. While a few charter schools serve larger populations, fewer than 20 percent of charter schools have more than 500 students.

        Two-thirds of charter schools have long waiting lists, illustrating strong parental demand. The average waiting list is 141 students, or nearly 60 percent of the average charter school’s enrollment. From 1997-1998 to 1998-1999, the average number of students on charter school waiting lists increased by 22 percent.

        In the future, two factors may lead to shorter waiting lists for charter schools: first, the number of charter schools is rising so more schools will be available to meet demand; and second, as charter schools open, they often inspire competition — and improved performance — from other public schools.

Figure 1: Size and Waiting Lists of Charter Schools
    1997-1998     1998-1999
Average enrollment     221     253
Range of enrollments     10 to 1986     15 to 2026
Percentage of schools with waiting lists     63%     67%
Average number of students on waiting lists     116     141

Average Charter Enrollment, Nationwide (from CER’s National Charter School Directory) 1998-1999: 250; 1997-1998: 241.

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Link to Excerpts of Charter Schools Today Report, including:

  • Table of Contents

  • Chapter 5: Survey of Charter Schools 1998-1999

Also: Selected Response From Individual Charter Schools:
        Successes
        Challenges
        Growth and Future Plans
        Academic and Other Programs
        Additional Comments

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Survey of Charter Schools 1998-1999 is part of Charter Schools Today: Changing the Face of American Education. The entire report is available for $19.95 + $3.00 shipping and handling. Order your copy on our publications page, or by calling CER at (202) 822-9000.

Charter Schools Today: Changing the Face of American Education is published by The Center for Education Reform [CER] a national, independent, non-profit advocacy organization founded in 1993 to provide support and guidance to individuals, community and civic groups, policymakers and others who are working to bring fundamental reforms to their schools. For more information on charter school efforts, call CER at (202) 822-9000, or visit our Charter School Library.