Charter public schools are free, open to all, and built on one simple promise: give every child — regardless of ZIP code, language, or income — a chance to thrive. These schools operate with the flexibility to meet students where they are, while being held to the highest standards for results. And the results speak volumes.

Just look at this year’s state test scores from the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress. Once again, the results confirm what parents have long known—charter schools are helping historically underserved students thrive. In English, 49.7 percent of charter students met or exceeded standards, compared to 49.2 percent in non-charter schools. In math, 36.7 percent of charter students met standards, compared to 37.9 percent statewide.

That might sound like just numbers, but behind every percentage point are thousands of children reading more confidently, solving tougher equations, and discovering that college is within reach.

In Los Angeles County, nearly 100 charter schools beat the county averages for low-income students — a population that is overwhelmingly Latino. Twenty of those schools ranked among the top 10% statewide, and six placed in the top 5%.

As Jonathan Slakey, CCSA’s Managing Director of Education Data Analytics, noted, “Almost 100 charters in the LA area had students outperforming county averages with low-income students. This includes 20 charter schools where students are in the top 10% statewide for low-income students, and 6 schools where students are in the top 5%. This includes PUC Milagro Charter—whose English learner, Hispanic, socioeconomically disadvantaged and Students with disabilities all scored in the top 5% of test-takers statewide.

In San Bernardino, Orange, and San Diego, almost 200 charters had above average results with Hispanic students this year, including LaVerne Elementary Prep, in Hesperia, where Hispanic students scored in the top 5% statewide. Over 60% of Hispanic students met or exceeded English and Math standards in 2025.”

In Coachella, NOVA Academy achieved a 68 percent English proficiency rate, even though nearly nine in ten of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. 

These are stories of progress, not privilege. They are proof that when families are empowered to choose the right public school for their children — and when educators are trusted to innovate — the results are transformative.

And the momentum is growing. A new statewide poll shows 65% of California voters now support charter public schools, the highest level of support, and that number is even stronger among parents of color. Despite the political noise, a majority — 53% — say their opinion of charters has stayed positive for years.

That’s because they see what’s happening in their own neighborhoods. They see children succeeding. California families have spoken, and they are saying yes—to quality, to opportunity, and to charter public schools.

Myrna Castrejón has been the President and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association since January 2019. Innovate & Educate is an occasional column in which she explores statewide K-12 issues through a charter public school lens.