A charter school is a public school that receives its charter and some of its funding from the state in which it is located. The request for a charter comes from a sponsoring group, such as a community group or a private company. The sponsoring group provides some of the funding. A charter school has freedom from some state and local public school regulations. Some charter schools focus on a particular group of children, such as those who are gifted. Some focus on a particular type of study, such as technology. Most charter schools have smaller classes and higher academic standards than traditional public schools. A charter school is accountable to a state or local school board, as well as to its sponsoring group.
A magnet school is a public school that offers special programs and has high academic standards. Unlike traditional public schools, a student does not need to live within a certain neighborhood boundary to attend a magnet school. However, a prospective student must undergo testing and a very competitive application process in order to attend. Student diversity -- racial, ethnic and economic -- is a goal of magnet schools. Some magnet schools focus on a particular type of study, such as science. A magnet school receives funding from the state in which it is located, but may also receive additional funding. The Magnet Schools Assistance Program is one of the sources for additional funding.
Both charter schools and magnet schools offer an alternative to a traditional neighborhood school without the expense of a private school. Both are part of the public school system and receive funding from the state in which they are located, so both have some accountability to the state. Both may receive additional funding. Both offer specialized programs, such as focusing on the arts or on business. Both have higher academic standards than traditional public schools.
Charter schools are free from some government regulations regarding schools, but magnet schools are subject to all government regulations regarding schools. Charter schools can hire non-certified teachers, but magnet schools must hire state-certified teachers. Most magnet schools have a very competitive application process or a lottery system for enrollment, but charter schools have open enrollment. Some magnet schools allow boarding, so out-of-state students can enroll. Diversity is a goal of magnet schools, but because of open enrollment, charter schools cannot share this goal.