As of September 30th, Orange County is home to 47 public charter schools from elementary to high school levels. These schools serve students not only from Orange County but also from neighboring counties, allowing anyone to apply for enrollment. In recent years, charter schools in California have seen explosive growth, with the number of students enrolled in Orange County’s charter schools increasing from over 12,000 in the 2014-2015 school year to nearly 26,000 in the 2024-2025 school year.
Mary Barke, Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Education for District 2, discussed during a community event in September how she and Lisa Sparks, Board Member of District 5 and former Chairwoman, have been dedicated to supporting public charter schools since their election in 2018. The number of charter schools has grown from 14 to 47 under their leadership, representing a significant leap in quality.
Barke shared an anecdote where a charter school was considering relocating, and the superintendent of the Los Alamos School District approached the board, stating that if the charter school moved to their district, they would lose $500,000 in funding. This showcases the financial implications for public schools based on student enrollment.
When asked how many students the charter school had from Los Alamos, the school official revealed that the majority of students actually came from Long Beach in Los Angeles County, not the specified school district. This illustrates that students attending charter schools do not necessarily reside within the same district.
Barke emphasized that many students attending charter schools come from homeschooling or private school backgrounds. The board provides inter-district transfer services to rescue children from restrictive postal code-based school assignments. Each month, they receive transfer applications from parents seeking the best educational options for their children, and those requests are often approved.
Navigator Schools, which was just approved to open three new schools in Orange County over the next seven years, serves 1,800 students from kindergarten to 8th grade in California. The school, founded in 2011, will expand to serve 3,300 students in Orange County, with enrollment for high school charter schools for grades 9-12 beginning next semester.
Dr. Caprice Young, CEO of Navigator Schools, expressed, “We know that with the right opportunities and support, every student can achieve extraordinary success.”
Ken L. Williams, Board Member of District 3 and former Chair, stated, “This school has all the elements for success—strong facilities, $12 million in federal government support, and a track record of providing quality services to students. We are excited to see them thrive in Orange County.”
On the 24th of this month, the U.S. Department of Education announced a record funding of $500 million for national charter school programs to provide high-quality education choices to parents, regardless of income levels or postal codes.
“The one-size-fits-all education system is not suitable for our students. Charter schools allow for innovative educational models, expanding students’ learning opportunities,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “The Trump administration will continue to leverage all available tools to advocate for meaningful learning, promote school choice, and ensure that every student is prepared for success.”
In an article published on the Department of Education’s website in August, Barke mentioned her realization of the importance of every family having access to a good educational environment, particularly following her child’s experience with bullying in middle school. She highlighted the significance of providing quality education options to all families.
Barke had never planned to run for public office before. She reflected, “Despite being unfamiliar with campaign strategies or governance tricks, I knew the importance of taking action. Like many parents who dedicate themselves to serving society, I learned that beliefs and determination are more critical than political experience.”
“Deep-rooted school administrators often prioritize maintaining the status quo… But my colleagues and I understand a fundamental principle: as elected educational board members, our duty is to serve students, not bureaucratic institutions,” Barke explained. “We prioritize supporting the development of charter schools, which alleviate many issues faced by traditional public schools.”
She pointed out that charter schools offer alternative options for parents and students, giving them the freedom of choice. Whether it’s focusing on academics, arts, sciences, or technology, or simply seeking a safer and more supportive learning environment (including curriculum choices and parental notification), charter schools present excellent options for many families.
“We also address issues related to inter-district transfers,” Mary said, noting that parents approach them when their transfer applications are rejected by their current districts. Some bureaucrats often overlook parental rights and student interests, fearing that approving inter-district transfers may lead to a mass exodus of students from underperforming schools. However, “we have approved hundreds of such applications.”
While activists and lobbyists may present significant resistance, the board believes that parents are best equipped to understand their children and should be trusted to make decisions on their behalf. Barke highlighted research showing that the development of charter schools not only expands students’ school choice options but also positively impacts other public schools.
According to the website “Public School Review,” in the 2025-2026 school year, Orange County has a total of 643 public schools (including charter schools), serving 437,000 students, along with 408 private schools serving 74,000 students. Orange County ranks among the top areas for concentrated public schools in California, with student average math scores at 46 compared to the statewide average of 34 and reading scores at 57 compared to 47. Additionally, students in Orange County’s public charter schools generally outperform those in nearby equivalent public schools.