The national spotlight is focused on New Jersey’s largest city as major efforts are launched to improve the quality of public schools district-wide.

Under the leadership of a new superintendent, the Newark public school system is creating a portfolio of high-quality schools, from new in-district high schools to charter schools, that will offer parents and their children wide-ranging options.

Charter schools are innovative public schools that do not charge tuition. And they are not private schools — contrary to some popular mischaracterization — even though many charter students in Newark are receiving a public education that rivals some of the best schools in the state.

Unlike magnet schools, charter schools do not have entrance exams or prerequisites; they accept all students who apply through a random lottery. If there are more applicants than spaces, students are placed on a waiting list. This year, 14 percent of Newark’sstudent population is enrolled in charter schools. Next year, it is expected to grow to nearly 7,900 students — about 17 percent of the total public school population.

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