Enrollment season has begun, and families across California are making one of the most important decisions of the year: where to send their children to school.

Many families who are happy with their current schools decide to stay, and that's something to celebrate.

It means their children feel supported and are thriving.

But for other families, this is a time to pause and explore—especially for mothers, fathers, or caregivers who feel unsure whether their child's current school is the right fit.

To those families, my message is simple: Explore all of your local public school options, including charter schools.

Charter schools are public schools. They offer more flexibility and autonomy than traditional public schools, allowing them to design programs that respond more directly to the needs of their communities.

In Los Angeles County alone, there are nearly 360 charter schools. Many are deeply rooted in their communities and provide comprehensive services that are especially valuable to immigrant and Latino families.

However, some parents mistakenly believe that charter schools charge tuition or that you need to live in a specific neighborhood to enroll. That is not true. Public charter schools are free, public, and open to all. There is also encouraging news on funding. Under the Governor's most recent budget proposal, state funding per student would increase to a record $20,427 in the 2026–27 school year. This investment sends a message of stability and commitment to public education at a time when families have more power than ever to choose the school that best suits their children. So, what should families look for when considering a public charter school? One prime example is Vaughn Next Century Learning Center in the San Fernando Valley, one of the most highly regarded public charter schools in the country. It was founded just one year after the Charter Schools Act was passed in 1992. Vaughn quickly became a beacon of innovation for its deep investment in the community and comprehensive services, long before the concept of community schools became a trend, and received recognition and visits from then-First Lady Hillary Clinton. More than three decades later,Vaughn continues its mission of providing academic excellence and strong community support. Vaughn primarily serves Latino families and has become a trusted choice because it offers much more than academics. For Claudia Madrigal, whose son Daniel is in eighth grade, Vaughn was the best choice because her son is seen as much more than a student. “At Vaughn, my son isn't just a student—he's a person,” Madrigal said. "They support him academically, emotionally, and socially. And they also support us as parents. When a school helps the whole family, the child feels stronger and more secure." Another mother, Lolita Hernandez, describes a similar sense of collaboration. “What I love most about Vaughn is that they really care,” Hernandez said. "They know our children, they listen to us as parents, and they also give us tools to grow. It feels like a partnership, not just a school." That culture is intentional. Griselda Ortiz, Director of Community Schools at Vaughn, explains it clearly: “If we want our students to succeed, we must support the whole child—and that means supporting the family.” At Vaughn, students have access to counselors, social workers, and safe spaces to talk about what they are going through. Ortiz emphasizes that children are influenced by everything around them: family stress, finances, trauma, and social pressures. “If we don't address the social and emotional aspects,” she said, “academic success becomes much harder to achieve.” Vaughn also has a Community and Family Center that offers GED and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, wellness and mental health workshops, citizenship guidance, and hands-on support based on what parents express they need. “Our responsibility doesn't end with the student,” said Fidel Ramirez, Executive Director of Vaughn Next Century Learning Center. “It includes the entire family.” Because Vaughn serves students from Pre-K through high school, many families stay for 15 years or more. Ramirez calls that an “investment of trust,” built through relationships, consistency, and care. Families also choose Vaughn for its high school programs, which include medical, engineering, and arts tracks, along with strong college and career preparation. Students are encouraged to pursue four-year colleges, career-oriented education, trade schools, or enter the workforce, based on their own goals and dreams. In recent years, Vaughn's graduation rate has reached nearly 99%, with a growing number of students accepted to competitive universities such as Stanford, Yale, and Columbia. Families who choose Vaughn are not just choosing a campus. They are choosing community. They are choosing collaboration. They are choosing possibility. This enrollment season, take the time to explore all of your public school options. Visit campuses, ask questions, and talk with other families. Public charter schools are part of our public education system and exist to serve your children and your community.You have the right to choose a school where your child feels seen, supported, and inspired to succeed. Exploring your local public charter schools could open the door to new opportunities, stronger partnerships, and a brighter future for your family. For more information, please visit my organization's website at www.ccsa.org. (*) Myrna Castrejon is the president and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA).

For more information, please visit my organization's website at www.ccsa.org

(*) Myrna Castrejon is the president and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA).

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