Driven by quality and innovation, MO families are increasingly opting into charter public schools

According to state-level data, over the past five years, enrollment in Missouri’s charter schools increased by 1.49%, while MO as a state saw a decrease of 2.36%.

According to state-level data analyzed by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools in a new report, Believing in Public Education: A Demographic and State-level Analysis of Public Charter School and District Public School Enrollment Trends, shows that over the past five years, enrollment in Missouri’s charter schools increased by 1.49% while MO as a state saw a decrease of. 2.36%

Nationally, enrollment in public charter schools increased by 2%, or more than 72,000 students, from the 2021-22 school year to the 2022-23 school year. By contrast, district public school enrollment increased by .02% or 7,400 students.

“At a time when many families are considering the option that best serves their child, these data clearly show that charter schools in Missouri are a sought-after and valued option. These numbers underscore the growing trust and preference parents place in the unique offerings of charter schools,” said Noah Devine, executive director of the Missouri Charter Public School Association (MCPSA).

This study and other recent analyses support the idea that Missouri’s charter schools positively impact academic performance. For example, DESE shows that while charter schools in Missouri were hit harder by COVID-19, they are quickly bouncing back, surpassing the state’s learning recovery rate. Likewise, the nationally recognized CREDO Report, Stanford’s educational research arm, shows charter students in Missouri receive 39.3 additional days of learning in reading and a whopping 56.1 additional days of learning in math in a single school year compared to other schools.

These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that charter schools in Missouri are making a meaningful difference in the educational outcomes of their students, further fueling the ongoing discussion about the role and effectiveness of charter schools in the state.

https://publiccharters.org/news/2023-public-school-enrollment-trends-report-2/