A charter school is a publicly funded, independent school that operates under a contract or "charter" with a government or educational authority.

The charter outlines the goals, policies, and programs of the school, and the school operates with more autonomy and flexibility than traditional public schools in exchange for meeting specific performance standards.

Charter schools are open to all students and are typically free to attend.

They often have a specific educational focus or approach, such as a focus on science and technology, arts, or character development.

Charter schools are accountable for student achievement and are subject to periodic evaluations to determine if they are meeting the terms of their charter.

Charter schools are seen as an alternative to traditional public schools and as a way to promote innovation and improve educational outcomes.

While some charter schools have been successful in achieving these goals, others have faced criticism for issues such as lack of accountability, unequal funding, and subpar academic performance.

Overall, the concept and implementation of charter schools vary from country to country and from state to state, and the effectiveness and impact of charter schools continues to be a subject of debate and discussion in the education community.