Charter schools in San Jose, CA
47 schools in San Jose, 7 more within 15 miles. Public, and free to attend.
Public charter schools (tuition-free)
San Jose charter schools at a glance
47 public charter schools give San Jose as their address in the 2025-26 federal school directory, and 7 more are within 15 miles. The 47 in town had about 20,087 students in 2024-25. 33 teach elementary grades and 13 teach high school. Every one is a public school that charges no tuition.
Charter schools in San Jose (47)
Largest first. Enrollment and teachers are from 2024-25; schools new in 2025-26 have no count yet.
Nearby, within 15 miles (7)
Charter schools in other towns, nearest first. Online schools are left out here because their address is an office.
| Charter school | Grades | Students (2024-25) | Per teacher | Town | Miles | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castlemont Elementary | K-5 | 436 | 22.9 | Campbell | 7 | (408) 364-4233 |
| Campbell School of Innovation | K-8 | 815 | 26.7 | Campbell | 8 | (408) 364-4222 |
| Charter School of Morgan Hill | K-8 | 654 | 20.2 | Morgan Hill | 8 | (408) 463-0618 |
| Capri Elementary | K-5 | 457 | 21.8 | Campbell | 9 | (408) 364-4260 |
| Village | K-5 | 198 | 23.3 | Campbell | 9 | (408) 341-7042 |
| Rolling Hills Middle | 6-8 | 778 | 19.4 | Los Gatos | 10 | (408) 364-4235 |
| Marshall Lane Elementary | K-5 | 427 | 23.7 | Saratoga | 10 | (408) 364-4259 |
Charter schools: how they work
- Public and free. NCES describes a public charter school as a publicly funded school, usually run by a group or organization under a contract (the charter) with the state, the district or another body. The federal definition says a charter school does not charge tuition.
- Families choose it. Under the same definition, a charter school is one parents choose to send their children to, and it admits students by lottery when more apply than it has room for.
- Its own rules, its own accountability. The charter frees the school from some state or local rules; in return it must meet the standards written in its charter. It is nonsectarian.
- No program badge. ChoiceFunded’s program badges and “schools that accept” lists cover private schools only. Charter schools are listed separately here, with no badge, and are never counted with private schools.
Sources: 20 U.S.C. 7221i (federal Charter Schools Program definitions); NCES, Condition of Education: Public Charter School Enrollment. Each state writes its own charter law, so ask the school how enrollment works there.
Keep looking
- Charter schools in Campbell (8 mi)
- Charter schools in Morgan Hill (15 mi)
- Charter schools in Fremont (15 mi)
- Charter schools in Los Altos (16 mi)
- Charter schools in Boulder Creek (21 mi)
- Charter schools in East Palo Alto (21 mi)
- Charter schools in Gilroy (24 mi)
- Charter schools in Freedom (25 mi)
- Charter schools in Santa Cruz (25 mi)
- Charter schools in Watsonville (26 mi)
- All charter schools in California
- Private schools in San Jose (listed separately)
- School choice in California: what is available
- Charter schools in every state
Questions parents ask
How many charter schools are in San Jose?
47 public charter schools in the 2025-26 federal directory are in San Jose, and 7 more are within 15 miles. Price Charter Middle, University Preparatory Academy Charter, Monroe Middle, Escuela Popular/Center for Training and Careers Family Lrng, Rocketship Rising Stars, Discovery Charter and others.
Do charter schools in San Jose charge tuition?
No. Charter schools are public schools, and the federal definition of a charter school says it does not charge tuition. Ask each school about fees for extras.
How do I enroll in a San Jose charter school?
Apply to each school directly. Under the federal definition, a charter school admits students by lottery when more apply than it has room for, so check each school’s application dates. Each state writes its own charter law.
School facts: U.S. Department of Education, Common Core of Data (2025-26 directory, 2024-25 enrollment and staff). Where our data comes from.