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Charter schools in Reno, NV

16 schools in Reno, 2 more within 15 miles. Public, and free to attend.

Public charter schools (tuition-free)

Reno charter schools at a glance

16 public charter schools give Reno as their address in the 2025-26 federal school directory, and 2 more are within 15 miles. The 16 in town had about 6,533 students in 2024-25. 10 teach elementary grades and 5 teach high school. One is mostly or fully online. Every one is a public school that charges no tuition.

6,533 students, 2024-25
5 high schools
$0 tuition

Networks and districts with the most of these schools: Washoe County (11), State Sponsored Charter Schools (7). Names as reported to the federal directory.

Nearby, within 15 miles (2)

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
Alpine Academy High School 9-12 224 22.4 Sparks 7 (775) 356-1166
Pinecrest Academy of Northern Nevada K-8 1,033 23.7 Sparks 11 (775) 376-1444

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.

Questions parents ask

How many charter schools are in Reno?

16 public charter schools in the 2025-26 federal directory are in Reno, and 2 more are within 15 miles. Nevada Connections Academy, Doral Academy of Northern Nevada, Coral Academy Middle School, High Desert Montessori, Coral Academy Elementary-South, Mater Academy of Northern Nevada and others.

Do charter schools in Reno 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 Reno 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