For many of us, we are familiar with the differences between private and public schools. So what does it mean when someone refers to a charter school?

Just like traditional public schools, charter schools are publicly funded and operate as 501c3 non-profit organizations. This means that they are tuition-free for students and families, as opposed to a private school where a family would pay tuition. Private schools may also have other barriers to entry, while charter schools cannot discriminate based on disability, race, color, gender, national origin, religion, or ancestry. At Visions In Education, there is a place for every student regardless of background. Visions currently serves more than 7,700 students and remains committed to thoughtful growth, ensuring every student receives the attention they need to succeed. 

While traditional public schools follow certain schedules and routines, charter schools are able to operate with more personalization. Charter schools still hire credentialed teachers and participate in state assessments, however there are differences in how charters function compared to traditional public schools. For example, a charter school can offer more tailored and innovative instruction or different teacher to student ratios than a traditional school may be able to. In exchange for this increased flexibility, charter schools also have increased accountability. 

Each school is held accountable to its “charter”, which is essentially a contract that outlines the school’s mission, programs, performance goals, and methods of assessment. The school’s authorizer, which in the state of California is typically a local school district, holds the school accountable to these goals. Charter schools are also accountable to the parents and students they serve. Visions In Education remains accountable to the families we serve, our authorizing district San Juan Unified, and is committed to advancing the mission of the Charter Schools Act of 1992. 

Focused On Student Success

Fiscal responsibility, consistent staff development, innovative technology, and thoughtful instructional practices have led to increased student achievement at Visions. Here at Visions, we remain committed to being “1% Better” every day for our students and families. What this means is we are consistently looking for ways to improve the way we serve our students, whether it be through curriculum, enrichment opportunities, or technological advancements. For example, we created our own student support system known as the LPAD Student Support System™ to unify operations and empower every part of the learning journey. 

Learning is not one-size-fits-all, every child learns differently and for some the traditional in-person public school route is not the path to success. Charter schools give parents another avenue for their child’s educational journey. At Visions, we are proud to offer another option for student success, and we remain committed to preparing each student to succeed in a rapidly changing world. 

What is Visions In Education?

Visions In Education is one of the most established TK-12 public charter schools serving Northern California. We provide high-quality educational programs for students and families seeking alternatives to the traditional public school setting. At Visions, students receive one-on-one teacher interaction and a personalized approach to learning along with in-person learning opportunities including clubs, sports, events and field trips. 

We provide high-quality standards-based at-home education options for students in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) through 12th grade. Visions In Education has successfully supported students and families for over 25 years. Learn more about Visions here.