Is it not enough to attend board meetings and advocate for neighborhood schools? How can families, communities, and educators ensure their children don’t face the distress of losing their second home to closure? As more school closures loom, many East Valley families are weighing their options—one of which is charter schools, a topic that sparks both strong opposition and support.
A community organizer at a local charter school, who we’ll call Neira to protect their identity, expressed empathy for families navigating this turbulent time. “As a charter school, we go through a charter renewal. Based on the California Dashboard and other metrics, they decide whether we should continue operating or close,” Neira explained.
While public school closures don’t directly affect charter schools, misconceptions about their role and impact on the greater educational landscape abound. “Our schools aren’t private—they’re free,” Neira emphasized. “However, we have a lottery process. We don’t know anything about applicants beyond their name, grade level, and school of choice. The selection is completely random. Once families are accepted, they decide whether they want to attend.”
Even with this randomized process, space is limited. Families enter the lottery system, but one of the process’s key differences from traditional public schools lies in zip codes. “Charter schools accept families regardless of zip code, whereas traditional districts assign schools based on where you live,” Neira noted. “We’ve had families from as far as Gilroy and Morgan Hill because they work in San José and want their children to attend school here.”
While the enrollment process may deter some families, charter schools' resources often draw them in. “I work primarily with Spanish-speaking parents,” Neira said. “We teach them how to give public comments, identify their representatives, understand which district they live in, and engage with officials. We also teach them how to read meeting agendas and advocate for their children.”
The pandemic disrupted many of these resources, but parents are eager to reengage. The charter school offers classes in ESL, digital literacy, constitutional rights, and other topics aimed at empowering families. “It’s vital for people to get involved in school board meetings,” Neira urged. “Check the agenda, read through it, and attend when possible. That’s how we stay informed and hold decision-makers accountable.”
Charter schools are no strangers to criticism. From the renewal process to the resources they provide, the debate over their place in the educational landscape remains heated. “I wish the community would be more mindful of the misconceptions about charter schools before immediately dismissing them,” Neira said. “It hurts to see the feelings of parents, staff, and students devalued when they love their school and thrive there every day.”
