Charters are generally free, as they have contracts with the state to provide school services. My wife teaches at a local college prep charter high school. Ou

Charters are generally free, as they have contracts with the state to provide school services. My wife teaches at a local college prep charter high school. Our daughter did both private and public school before college. Charter schools aren't private though. Bad ones are closed, bad teachers are fired at running schools. Quite a number of kids come from 15+ miles away to this school, driven there and back by parents daily. They come from school districts which have not been demonstrating successful outcomes, either in terms of retention, or successfully preparing kids for life after school (college, trade/vocational school, etc.) This said, while it is a college prep school, it isn't a silver bullet. Kids parents need to be engaged and involved. They can't be helicopter parents. Most are though. This isn't an identity or socioeconomic issue. Kids families in this school range from nearly homeless through extremely wealthy. The school will be good for those who wish to engage. For those who don't and simply want a babysitting service, maybe not so good.