Why charter schools matter for parent choice

Each year, school choice enrollment season invites families to pause and ask an important question: What kind of education will best serve my child? In Lee County, where public school enrollment for student assignment programs runs from Jan. 20 through Feb. 27, families are once again weighing their options and considering what environment will help their children thrive – not only academically, but as thinkers, problem-solvers and future leaders.

Charter schools play a vital role in this process by expanding parent choice within the public education system. As tuition-free public schools, charter schools are held accountable to high academic standards while offering families additional educational models that may better align with a child’s interests, learning style or long-term goals.

At their best, charter schools exist to meet needs that traditional, one-size-fits-all approaches cannot always address. They provide families with meaningful alternatives – schools built around specific instructional philosophies, academic strengths or community priorities – while remaining accessible to all students regardless of background.

One of the most powerful benefits of charter schools is innovation with purpose. Charter schools have the flexibility to design programs intentionally, rather than retrofitting ideas into existing systems. This allows educators to rethink how subjects are taught, how students engage with material and how learning connects across disciplines.

Families and students choose charter schools based on their values, interests and individual needs. Traditionally, schools have focused on a single educational pathway, such as classical education or STEM, and parents were often asked to choose one approach over the other. Nova Classical STEM Academy in Fort Myers breaks from that model.

It brings together two powerful traditions, classical education and STEM, into one cohesive program. By recognizing both the timeless value of a classical education and the demands of today’s real-world problem solving, the school offers a thoughtful blend of science, technology, engineering and math within a classical framework. This integrated approach creates a first-of-its-kind school model, where wisdom and innovation come together to serve the whole student.

This kind of choice matters because students are not all the same. Some children flourish in structured environments with clear academic expectations. Others thrive when learning is applied through projects, experimentation and real-world challenges. When families can select a school that aligns with how their child learns best, students are more likely to stay engaged, motivated and confident in their education. Those are the ingredients of academic success.

Charter schools also strengthen public education by fostering healthy collaboration and accountability. They must earn the trust of families year after year through strong outcomes, transparent governance and consistent performance. When families have options, schools are encouraged to listen, adapt and continuously improve.

Charter schools approved by the Lee County School Board are part of the broader public education ecosystem. They serve as partners in preparing students for future success, whether that path leads to college, technical careers or leadership roles in the community. Charter schools are not meant to replace traditional public schools; they are designed to expand opportunity and empower families to make informed choices.

As a longtime educator, I believe parent choice is not simply a convenience… it is a responsibility. Families know their children best. They understand their strengths, challenges and aspirations. School choice gives parents the ability to match those needs with a learning environment designed to support them.

As families consider their options during this enrollment period, I encourage them to look beyond labels and ask deeper questions: How does this school teach students to think? How does it challenge them? How does it prepare them for the future? Charter schools exist to help answer those questions with clarity and intention. 

When parents are empowered with real choices, students benefit and public education as a whole grows stronger.

About The Author

Dr. Yalcin Akin is the president of Discovery Science Schools and the visionary behind the new Nova Classical STEM Academy, a tuition-free public charter school that opens in August 2026 in Fort Myers. Visit NovaClassical.net for more information.