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Charter schools in Lowell, MA

3 schools in Lowell, 5 more within 15 miles. Public, and free to attend.

Public charter schools (tuition-free)

Lowell charter schools at a glance

3 public charter schools give Lowell as their address in the 2025-26 federal school directory, and 5 more are within 15 miles. The 3 in town had about 2,154 students in 2024-25. 2 teach elementary grades and 2 teach high school. Every one is a public school that charges no tuition.

2,154 students, 2024-25
2 high schools
$0 tuition

Charter schools in Lowell (3)

Largest first. Enrollment and teachers are from 2024-25; schools new in 2025-26 have no count yet.

Charter school Grades Students (2024-25) Per teacher Phone
Collegiate Charter School of Lowell K-12 1,212 10.7 (978) 458-1399
Lowell Community Charter Public School PK-8 816 12 (978) 323-0800
Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School 9-12 126 18 (978) 656-3165

Nearby, within 15 miles (5)

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
Innovation Academy Charter School 5-12 770 11.1 Tyngsboro 5 (978) 649-0432
Lawrence Family Development Charter School PK-8 899 12.8 Lawrence 9 (978) 689-9863
Phoenix Academy Public Charter High School Lawrence 9-12 140 27.9 Lawrence 10 (978) 722-8410
Community Day Charter Public School PK-8 1,200 8.8 Lawrence 10 (978) 681-9910
Hill View Montessori Charter Public School K-8 306 12.2 Haverhill 13 (978) 521-2616

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

Questions parents ask

How many charter schools are in Lowell?

3 public charter schools in the 2025-26 federal directory are in Lowell, and 5 more are within 15 miles. Collegiate Charter School of Lowell, Lowell Community Charter Public School, Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School.

Do charter schools in Lowell 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 Lowell 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.

See charter schools How enrollment works