Hispanic Student Enrollment in Public Charter Schools Reaches a Record High

From the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools:

Last week, the National Alliance released a factsheet about Hispanic student enrollment in public charter schools. The release comes as charter schools nationwide celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions, cultures, and experiences of Hispanic students and families.

This year, 1.5 million Hispanic students are enrolled in public charter schools – an all-time high. For years, Hispanic students have been the largest, and fastest-growing, student group in charter schools. They now make up 38% of all charter school students and Hispanic enrollment in charter schools has grown 22% over the past five years.

Public charter schools are built to be responsive to the students and families they serve. For Hispanic students – and all students – that means hands-on learning that sets the stage for stable careers and bright futures. The academic results are measurable: a 2023 national study found that Hispanic students in charter schools gained an additional 30 days of learning in reading and 19 in math compared with district school peers.

Here are three more takeaways from this year’s data:

• Hispanic student enrollment growth is widespread. More than three-quarters – 81% — of states included in the analysis saw an increase in Hispanic charter school enrollment this year.
• Hispanic charter school enrollment grew across geographic and political lines. Oregon, Georgia, Florida, and New York stood out for either the number of new students or the pace of growth.
• Charter schools deliver results for Hispanic students and families. Research shows Hispanic students learning in charter schools gain the equivalent of 30 days of learning in reading, and 19 in math, each year compared to peers at district schools.