School Choice: it's not just for lunch.     AP Photo/Alex Brandon, FILE

 Charter schools are tuition-free public schools which provide local educational alternatives centered around specific missions or themes.  Unlike magnet schools, which focus on a particular subject area, such as health or technology, charter schools reflect the educational philosophies of their founders -- teachers, parents, and community members -- who unite to create educational options for public school students.

As they receive public funds for their programs, and do not charge tuition, most charter schools admit students by random lottery drawings.

Below is a geographical list of Idaho charter schools. Since Idaho charter school law was enacted in 1998, more than forty charter and online charter schools have been created in Idaho.

A  complete list of charter schools across the United States, plus charter school support organizations, is available at the Examiner Charter Schools Directory Hub.

Idaho Online Charter Schools:

ARTEC Charter School

www.arteccharterschool.com
Rupert
7-12

Idaho Distance Education Academy

http://www.idahoidea.org
Bovill & Deary
K-12

Idaho Virtual Academy

www.idahova.org
Meridian
K-12

Inspire Academics

www.connectionsacademy.com
Boise
K-12

iSucceed Virtual High School

www.isucceedvhs.net
Boise
9-12

Kaplan Academy of Idaho

www.kaplanacademy.com/Idaho
Meridian
6-12

Kootenai Bridge Academy

http://www.kootenaibridgeacademy.org/
Post Falls
9-12

Richard McKenna Charter High School

http://www.rmckenna.org/

Mountain Home
9-12

 Ada County:

Anser Charter School

www.ansercharterschool.org
Garden City
K-8

Compass Public Charter School

www.compasscharter.org
Meridian
K-11

Falcon Ridge Public Charter School

www.falconridgecharter.org
Kuna
K-8

Garden City Community School

www.gardencityschool.org
Boise
K-8

Meridian Medical Arts Charter High School

mmachs.meridianschools.org
Meridian
9-12

 Meridian Technical Charter High School

www.mtchs.org
Meridian
9-12

North Star Charter School

www.northstarcharter.org
Eagle
K-12

 Rolling Hills Charter School

http://rhpcs.org/
Boise
K-8

Bannock County:

The Academy at Roosevelt Center

http://www.theacademyarc.com/
Pocatello
K-8

 Pocatello Community Charter School

http://www.pccs.k12.id.us/
Pocatello
K-8

Bingham County:

Blackfoot Charter Community Learning Center

http://www.bcclc.com/
Blackfoot
K-6

Idaho Leadership Academy

no website
Pingree
9-12

Idaho Science & Technology Charter School

http://www.idahoscitech.com/
Moreland
6-8

Bonner County:

 Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy

http://www.cdacharter.org/
Coeur D'Alene
6-12

Sandpoint Charter School

http://www.sandpointcharter.org
Sandpoint
6-8

Bonneville County:

Taylor’s Crossing Public Charter School

www.tceagles.com
Idaho Falls
K-10

White Pine Charter School

http://www.whitepinecharterschool.org/

Idaho Falls
K-8

Canyon County:

Idaho Arts Charter School

www.idahoartscharter.org
Nampa
K-12

 Liberty Charter School

www.libertycharterschool.com
Nampa
K-12

Nampa Classical Academy

www.ncacharter.org
Nampa
K-9

 Thomas Jefferson Charter School

www.vallivue.org/tjcs
Caldwell
K-12

Victory Charter School

www.victorycharterschool.com
Nampa
K-12

Vision Charter School

www.visioncharter.net
Caldwell
K-8

Gooding County:

 North Valley Academy

www.northvalleyacademy.com
Gooding
K-8

Latah County:

Moscow Charter Elementary School

http://www.moscowcharterschool.org/
Moscow
K-6

 Palouse Prairie School

http://palouseprairieschool.org
Moscow
K-6

Lemhi County:

Upper Carmen Public Charter School

no website -- Salmon School District #291

email: uppercarmen@yahoo.com
Carmen
K-6

Twin Falls County:

 Xavier Charter School

http://www.xaviercharter.org/
Twin Falls
K-11

Wings Charter Middle School

http://www.wingscharterschool.org/about.html
Twin Falls
6-8

 Opening in 2010:

Another Choice Virtual Charter School

K-12 / Online Education
contact: Laura Sandidge

 Monticello Montessori School

http://www.joinourschool.com/
K-2
Idaho Falls
 

OWL Charter Academy

http://www.owlcharter.org/
K-5
Nampa
 

Payette River Technical Academy

7-12 / Non-Traditional Students
Emmett
contact: William Knickrehm

Sage International School of Boise

K-8 / International Baccalaureate
Boise
contact: Don Keller