Structured learning environments are featured in some charter schools, but others have purposely designed less structured learning environments as a matter of policy. A sizable proportion of charter schools are designed to serve special populations, though most reflect the demographic characteristics of students in their geographic area.
Most charter schools are small.
About 60 percent enroll fewer than 200 students, whereas only 16 percent of other public schools have such small student bodies. No matter what grade levels are served, a higher proportion of charter schools are smaller than other public schools. The difference is most striking at the secondary level. Most charter schools are newly created. About one-tenth of all charter schools were previously private schools.