The number of charter schools in the U.S. is growing. This is creating new opportunities for private school companies that serve charter and private schools.

According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, charter schools added more than 80,000 new students during the 2023-2024 school year. Local public schools lost about 1.8 million students from the 2020-2021 school year while charter school enrollment grew by almost 400,000 students during the same period, creating a noticeable contrast in enrollment trends.

Many of the larger and innovative private school transportation companies don’t treat charter schools or private schools differently than public schools. They are closely monitoring the trend of more charter schools coming online.

An example of the changing dynamics in a large school system can be found in South Florida. The Broward County Public School District reported its enrollment declined by about 30,000 over the past 10 years and will likely decline by another 9,000 students this year. School board meetings over the past 12 months have discussed closing school sites.

The Florida Legislature has made it easier for charter schools to open and use existing public-school buildings for their campuses. The state also expanded eligibility for school choice vouchers to all students.

Alternative student transportation provider HopSkipDrive offers transportation to growing charter schools and is looking for ways to further serve the market.

The company works with students who are facing various challenges and may not be served as well by traditional school bus systems. Examples include students who must move frequently because they are homeless or in the foster care system, or they may have a severe disability. HopSkipDrive offers flexibility.

Emily Uhland, vice president of customer success at HopSkipDrive, said the company works to provide the best service for all students. “HopSkipDrive is a proud partner to over 600 school districts around the country, as well as many charter and private schools. The fact is, no matter what school a child is attending they can only get there if they have safe, reliable transportation,” she said.

She noted that many charter and private schools may not own school buses or are stretched too thin with transportation requests from students who live far away. This can make supplemental and small vehicle transportation a better fit.

Traditional school bus companies are also finding more opportunities to serve charter and private schools.

First Student operates in 43 states and has 46,000 school buses. While the company strives to offer the best possible service to all its customers, it may face different requirements when serving smaller charter schools than when it serves large public school districts.

No two schools are the same as some operate independently and may need few school buses, while others are part of larger networks and need more school buses, according to Kim Worster, senior vice president for First Student.

First Student offers full transportation management. This means the company can fully take over and manage systems from route planning to fleet operations to driver staffing.

“For schools that prefer to remain in control of certain operations, we provide buses and technology while they keep their own drivers,” said Worster “We can maintain the school’s existing bus fleet to keep them running safely and reduce the burden of operations for their team. We offer fully trained drivers who meet our safety standards.” .

The company also offers its own alternative transportation, FirstAlt, that uses smaller vehicles.

Worster continued, “HALO is our proprietary technology platform designed to streamline and optimize school bus fleet operations, and it integrates every aspect of First Student’s operations from recruiting and training to routing, dispatching, navigation, vehicle telematics into one system,” said Worster.

The system offers parents and the district visibility to track vehicles and view live updates. It also offers streamlined recruiting and training, resulting in reduced onboarding time and a 90 percent average pass rate on CDL exams on the first attempt. Because of smart routing and safety monitoring there is continuous evaluation of routes, improving safety and efficiency. AI-powered safety incorporates AI cameras to detect potential hazards, providing real-time alerts and recording critical moments for improvements. The end-to-end platform provides a real-time, 360-degree view of fleet performance to enhance operational efficiency, safety and communication, Worster explained.

World of Kids Transportation Corp, based in Pembroke Pines, Florida is working with charter and private schools. It is choosing to grow slowly and meet the needs of various schools, according to a spokesperson.

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Related: 50-State Comparison of Charter School Policies
Related: Transportation Remains a Barrier to Choice, Charter School Access

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At the federal level, House Republicans plan to reserve up to $5 billion a year for scholarships to help families send their children to private and religious schools. This is considered a first major effort to use public money to pay for private education.

This proposal is part of a budget reconciliation bill released May 12 that would promote President Donald Trump’s goal of establishing universal school choice by offering families throughout the nation the option to provide their children an education different from the one offered at their local public school. Almost all families would qualify except those earning more than three times the local economy.

U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet, a Democrat from Colorado, and Bill Cassidy, Republican from Louisiana, have reintroduced the bipartisan Equitable Access to School Facilities Act.

This legislation would make it easier for charter schools to access public property and provide federal grants to states for charter school facilities. The grants, available from the Federal Charter Schools Program, could be used by charter schools to acquire and renovate existing facilities, cover ongoing facilities costs, or create a reserve fund for future acquisition, renovation, or maintenance.

“All students deserve a high-quality education that prepares them for success in college and their career. Across Colorado, charter schools improve student achievement and provide students with the flexibility and innovative teaching they need,” said Bennet. “This bill will invest in charter schools and give them additional tools to support students of every background.”

“When families have the opportunity to send their child to a charter school, they are empowered to choose the best education that meets their child’s needs,” said Cassidy. “This legislation strengthens charter schools, giving them greater tools to help children succeed in the classroom.”

The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act seeks to improve charter schools’ access to facilities funding and financing within a state by reducing gaps in funding between charter schools and other public schools and adding a revolving loan fund. It will promote charter schools’ utilization of public buildings without a federal interest and increase charter schools’ access to facilities located in low-income and rural communities.

AASA: The School Superintendents Association supports public school choice, including charter schools, provided they operate under the governance of local public school boards.

The organization’s belief and position statements says charter schools must adhere to common regulations and accountability standards applied to all schools receiving public funding.

Charter school financing, it continues, should be standardized and aligned to ensure their creation does not negatively impact the quality of existing public schools.

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Related: N.Y. Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Students to Wear Seatbelts on Chartered Trips
Related: Kansas Bill Allows Public-Private Partnerships for School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Installation
Related: Ohio Charter Bus Crash Results in 6 dead, Dozens Injured
Related: Texas Charter Bus Crash Kills Three

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A school bus is approaching a school bus stop and the driver notices law enforcement personnel mingling with the waiting children. Upon the school bus doors opening, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents ask to enter because there might be some undocumented students on board. Maybe the agents want to ask some of the students about their family members.

While such a scenario has yet to occur, many people fear it could. In areas with significant migrant communities, children and parents are fearful of becoming separated because of an ICE raid.

In Florida, a state with many undocumented immigrants, school superintendents and their legal staffs have issued statements on how their personnel including school bus drivers should respond to potential ICE raids or federal law enforcement visits to their campuses and buses. Their children are attending schools, and they have a right to a public-school education, ruled the U.S. Supreme Court in Plyler v. Doe.

On Feb. 26, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a Task Force Model to encourage street-level immigration enforcement. This will give local law enforcement agencies the ability to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during their regular work. All 67 Florida counties have entered into agreements with federal authorities so they can engage in street level enforcement.

A memo sent by Broward Schools Superintendent Howard Hepburn to all campus principals noted the anxiety regarding the current immigration situation. He said current developments are being monitored for their implications for schools and communities. The district will provide updated guidance and additional information as it becomes available.

Hepburn added that immigration-related issues can create uncertainty and anxiety among students, families and staff. He encouraged school leaders to continue providing a welcoming and supportive environment for all students.

Since the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, all public schools and most private schools have taken security to a much higher level. Anyone —including the governor or a U.S. president — who wants to visit any campus within the Broward County School District must pass a thorough two- or three-layer security check before entering a building. This is even true for all athletic and music performance events.

An ICE agent could also not enter any school building or ball field without permission from an administrator and would have to show their ID before entering a school facility.

Still, students and teachers have been instructed by Broward County school officials that they do not have to answer any questions from an ICE or federal law enforcement agent. They have all been instructed on their rights regarding any interaction with a federal agent.

Also, all school personnel including bus drivers or bus attendants have been told to contact their school district’s legal department if approached by an ICE agent. The position of school leadership is not to violate the law but to not cooperate with ICE agents, according to a statement from Broward Schools.

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Related: District Responds to Parents Fears About Immigration Raids on School Buses
Related: School Districts Seek Student Protections from Immigration Enforcement
Related: No Attempt to Illegally Board School Buses Near Mexico Border, Sheriff Says

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Teachers’ unions are also looking for ways to fight immigration actions. During a joint press conference on Feb. 6, the United Teachers of Dade and the Broward Teachers Union said teachers, students and parents are afraid and uncomfortable about the possibility of federal raids. Anna Fusco, president of the Broward Teachers Union, said she is opposed to any ICE enforcement at previous sensitive areas and said schools must be safe places for students.

Karla Hernandez-Mats, president of the United Teachers for Dade, said that any person who enters a school campus or school bus must have a warrant signed by a judge and that school district attorneys will review the warrant. She said she believes a final decision will be made by the school district’s superintendent and that no raids have taken place on school property or buses.

While ICE agents may not be targeting schools and children directly, a growing number of students who have undocumented family members have said they are anxious that they or a family member could be detained and deported, explained Fusco

Meanwhile, the Palm Beach County School District issued a statement that said it remains dedicated to the mission of educating and inspiring students to reach their full potential. The statement continued that the district adheres to strict protocols for all campus visitors and complies with all relevant state and federal laws and regulations. The district will monitor any federal or state policy changes that impact schools.

A statement issued by the Monroe County District said the district will follow the law. However, it has policies in place to make any interactions with students by outside agencies least disruptive to schools.

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