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 Nevada charter schools. Nevada began authorizing charter schools in 1997, and presently has more than 6,000 students enrolled in thirty charter and online charter schools.

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

Nevada Online Charter Schools:

Beacon Academy of Nevada

www.banv.org
Las Vegas
8-12

The Delta Academy

www.deltaacademyLV.com
Las Vegas
7-12

Nevada Connections Academy

www.connectionsacademy.com
Reno
K-12

Nevada State High School

www.earlycollegeNV.com
Henderson
11-12

Nevada Virtual Academy

www.k12.com/nvva
Las Vegas
K-12

Odyssey Charter Schools

www.odysseyk12.org
Las Vegas
K-12

Silver State High School

www.SSHS.org
Carson City
7-12

Clark County:

Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy

www.agassiprep.org
Las Vegas
K-11

Coral Academy of Science, Las Vegas

http://www.coralacademylv.org/
Las Vegas
K-12

Explore Knowledge Academy

www.ekacademy.org
Las Vegas
K-12

Imagine School in the Valle

www.imaginevalle.com
Las Vegas
K-8

Innovations International Charter School of Nevada

www.iicsn.org
Las Vegas
K-12

Las Vegas Charter School of the Deaf

www.lvcsd.org
Las Vegas
K-3

One Hundred Academy of Excellence

www.imagineschools.com
Las Vegas
K-12

Rainbow Dreams Academy

http://www.rainbowdreamsacademy.com/
Las Vegas
K-5

Silver Sands Montessori Charter School

http://silversandsmcs.com
Henderson
K-8

Douglas County:

Sierra Crest Academy

www.sierracrest.org
Minden
K-12

Elko County:

Elko Institute for Academic Achievement

http://www.elkocharterschool.com/
Elko
K-8
 

Lyon County:

Carson Montessori School

www.carsonmontessori.com
Carson City
K-6

Washoe County:

Academy for Career Education

www.acehighschool.org
Reno
10-12

Alpine Academy

http://www.alpineacademy.net
Sparks
9-12

Bailey Charter Elementary School

www.baileycharter.org
Reno
K-6

Coral Academy of Science

www.coralacademy.org
Reno
K-12

The Davidson Academy of Nevada
(Serving Profoundly Gifted Students)

http://www.davidsonacademy.unr.edu/
Reno
ungraded/non-traditional grades

High Desert Montessori School

www.highdesertmontessori.org
Reno
K-8

 I Can Do Anything Charter High School

www.icdachs.com
Reno
9-12

Mariposa Academy of Language and Learning

www.mariposaacademy.net
Reno
K-5

Rainshadow Community Charter High School

http://www.rainshadowcchs.org/
Reno
9-12

Sierra Nevada Academy

www.snacs.org
Reno
K-8