Report: NC charter schools grow more diverse

On the cusp of celebrating 30 years of public charter schools in North Carolina next year, a new report reveals that demand for charters remains robust and the schools are expanding in racial diversity.

Charter schools now serve 10% of the state’s student population, according to the 2024 Annual Charter Schools Report, with 208 charter schools hosting 153,480 students. Waitlists continue to be a challenge for charters, with 161 schools reporting waitlists totaling 74,287 students.

Currently, charter schools operate in 63 counties, including two virtual charters based in Durham.

The composition of NC’s charter schools has shifted dramatically over the past decade, with greater racial and ethnic diversity among students, according to the new report. While white students continue to represent the largest demographic group, the percentage has dropped from over 60% in 2010 to 46.2% in 2024.

“Charter schools continue to expand in North Carolina not only because they provide specialized, innovative instruction but also because they offer families real choices,” said Dr. Robert Luebke, director of the Center for Effective Education at the John Locke Foundation. “That the racial diversity of charters continues to grow tells us what many of us already know: charter schools work for students and families of all backgrounds.” 

Meanwhile, Hispanic enrollment has nearly tripled, rising from 5.8% in 2010 to 14.8% in 2024. That reflects an influx of Hispanic residents to the state during that time period. Similarly, Asian student enrollment has more than doubled, increasing from 2.0% to 5.1%, and students identifying as two or more races jumped from 2.8% to 7.%. Finally, black students make up 25.7% of charter school enrollment, slightly higher than their representation in district schools at 24.2%.

“What we see in this report is not just a collection of numbers, but a testament to the hard work of teachers, school leaders, and families who believe in public charter education,” said Rhonda Dillingham, executive director of the North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools, in an opinion piece for EdNC.org. “It’s time to invest in what’s working. Let’s ensure every family has the ability to find the right fit, and every student has a chance to succeed.”

While charter schools show promising recovery post-pandemic, academic performance has not yet rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. For the 2023-2024 school year, 70.3% of charter schools met or exceeded expected academic growth, but 25% were identified as low-performing, with 26% labeled as continually low-performing.

Student proficiency levels remain below pre-2019 benchmarks across all subgroups, with students with disabilities and English learners experiencing the most significant decline. 

Beyond academic challenges, the report also highlights logistical hurdles. Many charter schools struggle to acquire and maintain facilities, relying heavily on private funding and creative approaches to meet operational needs.

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