The number of students attending public charter schools in the United States is approaching 3 million, according to new figures from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.
The 2.9 million students the NAPCS now estimates are enrolled in charters represents a 14 percent increase from the 2013-14 school year.
“This has been our highest enrollment figure so far,” said Nina Rees, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools in a statement. “The growth in charter school enrollment shows parents’ demand for high-quality educational options. We are optimistic that the number of public charter schools will continue to grow to serve even more students and families.”
The number of actual charter schools has grown more modestly. While 500 new schools opened since this time last year, 200 were shut down. A total of 6,700 schools are operating nationally, representing a 4 percent increase over last year.
The states with the most charter school growth, according the NAPCS, were California with 87 new schools and Florida with 56 new schools. However, Florida led in another growth measurement: enrollment. Forty-six thousand new students started attending charter schools in Florida in 2014-15.
Other notable mentions include Texas with a growth of 42,000 new students, Arizona with 38,000, and North Carolina with 12,000.
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