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Best Charter Schools in Fresno
August 15, 2023

Ensure your child the best education possible by finding the right charter schools in Fresno that fit their individual capacity!

Choosing the right school for your child requires a comprehensive analysis of their capacity and specific interest. Every child is different, so it’s essential to consider their personal needs to prepare them for academic success. While parents are looking for the best school that can provide a high-quality education for their child, they may find charter schools in Fresno a perfect fit!

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If you’re a parent in Fresno, looking for the best charter school for your child can be challenging. With so many options, it isn’t easy to know where to start. To help you choose which school perfectly matches your child, we reviewed rankings for all charter schools from the 2023 Best Charter Schools in Fresno list released by school and neighborhood data clearinghouse Niche. The rankings below have been compiled based on several factors:

  • analysis of critical data from the U.S. Department of Education
  • average SAT and ACT scores
  • college enrollment
  • culture and diversity
  • student-teacher ratio
  • parent and student surveys
  • private school ratings collected from millions of Niche users

Charter schools have a unique approach to child education and offer a more rigorous curriculum with flexible teaching methods that can help prepare them for their future endeavors. Check out the list below and find out which charter school in Fresno is the right fit for your child!

Best Charter Schools in Fresno

Best Charter Schools in Fresno - University High School

University High School

2611 E. Matoian Way, MS/UH134, Fresno, CA 93740
Phone Number: (559) 278-8263

#1 in Best Public High Schools in Fresno Area
Overall Grade: A+
Students: 487 (Grades 9-12)
Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1
Percent Proficient – Reading: 95%
Percent Proficient – Math: 77%

University High School is a 9-12th grade Liberal Arts high school on the campus of California State University Fresno, where all students will experience an accelerated college preparatory program with two years of Latin and the full inclusion of music theory and performance. They offer a college primary curriculum in a supportive environment with small class sizes and free tutorial services.

The school culture will be caring, supportive of learning, promote understanding and encourage students to foster personal development. Students will feel confident to express themselves as they mature into young adults. In short, UHS will continually work to create nothing less than the best high school experience possible for its students.

Clovis North High School

1450 Herndon Ave., Clovis, CA 93611
Phone Number: (559) 327-9000

#2 in Best Public High Schools in Fresno Area
Overall Grade: A+
Students: 2,442 (Grades 9-12)
Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
Percent Proficient – Reading: 96%
Percent Proficient – Math: 70%

The national award-winning Clovis Unified School District offers high-quality education, cutting-edge technology, and state-of-the-art facilities for academics, performing arts, and athletics. They have high standards of excellence and high expectations and put kids first – always! They base everything they do on how to best support and encourage their students’ development in mind, body, and spirit.

CUSD wants its students to know they believe in their capabilities. They provide them with the means to achieve their greatness. Science labs with the newest equipment, concert halls with award-winning designs, stadiums with lush green fields, and Olympic racing track surfaces let their students know they take them seriously and create environments where they can flourish.

Buchanan High School

1560 N. Minnewawa Ave., Clovis, CA 93619
Phone Number: (559) 327-9000

#3 in Best Public High Schools in Fresno Area
Overall Grade: A
Students: 2,685 (Grades 9-12)
Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1
Percent Proficient – Reading: 88%
Percent Proficient – Math: 55%

Buchanan Charter High School in the Fresno area is known for its high academic achievement, athletics supremacy, visual and performing arts, and Career Technical Education. They provide a safe and inclusive environment where all students become informed and productive citizens by teaching approved content standards, modeling appropriate academic and social-emotional behavior, and providing support systems, guiding all students to reach their full potential.

At BHS, all students can grow, learn, and engage. They promote public responsibility, citizenship, and understanding within a diverse society. Their philosophy is straightforward. A fair break for every kid. They believe the schools and the students belong to the people. If the community wants their children to read, write, do arithmetic, sing, dance, play in the band, or compete in forensics, they will do it – but they will do it first class.

Clovis West High School

1070 E Teague, Fresno, CA 93720
Phone Number: (559) 327-9000

#4 in Best Public High Schools in Fresno Area
Overall Grade: A
Students: 2,096 (Grades 9-12)
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Percent Proficient – Reading: 81%
Percent Proficient – Math: 50%

Clovis West is a high-performing school offering rigorous academics and many opportunities through co-curricular and athletic programs. They have been consistently distinguished among the best schools in the state. Over the years, the students, staff, parents, and community have created a legacy rich in tradition and achievement. They continue to be a quality educational system focused on improving academics and individual achievement for all students while allowing them to reach their full potential in mind, body, and spirit.

Clovis West’s roots were first planted in the soil of innovation and new ideas. The Clovis community had funneled its entire identity into the original Clovis High School for one hundred years. Now a worthy rival was rising. The new Golden Eagle—a mascot chosen for its majestic imagery and cunning, predatory strength—shaped their identity. Even the progressive design of its buildings became a metaphor for the visionary goals of its leadership and staff.

Liberty Elementary School

1250 E Liberty Hill Rd., Fresno, CA 93720
Phone Number: (559) 327-7100

#1 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Fresno Area
Overall Grade: A
Students: 611 (Grades K-6)
Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1
Percent Proficient – Reading: 86%
Percent Proficient – Math: 82%

Liberty Elementary School is one of the best charter schools in Fresno, full of kids with great smiles, excitement and an excellent staff pumped up and ready to serve their families. Teachers and parents working as a team benefit the students tremendously. One of their goals is to get to know their families well so they may provide individualized services. They believe every child has great potential, and they can reach that potential more successfully when working together as a team.

As they continue to transition their schools and classrooms to support 21st Century Learning, students will be increasingly accessing digital resources. Their priority for students is ensuring that they are safe and comfortable in the online world. Clovis Unified, in conjunction with a curriculum developed by Common Sense Media, is providing professional development opportunities and lessons to support a safe online environment.

Design Science Middle College High School

Design Science Middle College High School

1101 East University, Fresno, CA 93741
Phone Number: (559) 489-2270

#1 in Niche Standout High Schools in Fresno Area
Overall Grade: A
Students: 261 (Grades 9-12)
Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1
Percent Proficient – Reading: 87%
Percent Proficient – Math: 72%

Design Science Middle College High School aims to prepare a diverse population of students for early entrance and successful completion of college by facilitating their development of the required content knowledge, academic skills, leadership experience, and non-cognitive skills by providing highly-qualified teaching, rigorous instruction, research-based programs, and access to technology.

At DSMCHS, their entire program is devoted to students’ success. While here, students will never face a problem or difficulty alone. Hard work and effort will be rewarded with college credit, and learning will be a cooperative effort delivered through caring relationships. This non-traditional high school setting provides a personalized and caring learning environment.

James S. Fugman Elementary School

10825 N Cedar Ave., Fresno, CA 93730
Phone Number: (559) 327-8700

#2 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Fresno Area
Overall Grade: A
Students: 794 (Grades K-6)
Student-Teacher Ratio: 24:1
Percent Proficient – Reading: 87%
Percent Proficient – Math: 84%

James S. Fugman Elementary School takes pride in holding high standards but providing students with the necessary tools to reach those standards. As a product of the Clovis Unified School System, they understand the value of the relationship between the staff, the students, and the community. They realize those relationships are essential as they strive to propel their students into all their future endeavors.  

At Fugman, they encourage students to achieve in body, mind, and spirit in an inclusive environment where all students can learn. Their mission is to develop 21st-century learners who are well-rounded academically, socially, and emotionally. Their staff and team are proud to continue to build upon the strong foundation and work hard to ensure students and families receive a first-class educational experience.

Granite Ridge Intermediate School

2770 East International Ave., Fresno, CA 93730
Phone Number: (559) 327-5000

#1 in Best Public Middle Schools in Fresno Area
Overall Grade: A
Students: 1,122 (Grades 7-8)
Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1
Percent Proficient – Reading: 84%
Percent Proficient – Math: 69%

Granite Ridge Intermediate Charter School in Fresno is an extraordinary place where individuals are committed to providing all students with the best education possible in mind, body, and spirit. They believe in providing a “fair break for every kid.” They are committed to establishing a safe and inclusive environment with relevant and rigorous programs designed to meet all students’ needs.

The cornerstone of any good organization is the quality of its people. They hire educators who are role models, willing to work together, filled with a passion to serve their community, and committed to providing the very best educational experience possible for their students. The bar will be high regarding achievement, effort, and attitude for their students, staff, and community as they partner to provide exemplary academic and co-curricular programs.

Valley Oak Elementary School

465 E. Champlain, Fresno, CA 93730
Phone Number: (559) 327-8200

#4 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Fresno Area
Overall Grade: A
Students: 469 (Grades K-6)
Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
Percent Proficient – Reading: 78%
Percent Proficient – Math: 72%

Valley Oak Elementary School will provide a quality education to its community through exemplary programs, services, and activities that foster lifelong learning, service to society, and a commitment to the Sparthenian concept: “Be the best you can be in mind, body, and spirit.” They believe education is a partnership between the school, the family, and the community. They teach their students to win with class and lose with dignity.

At Valley Oak, all children can learn, and they teach them because a child’s right to quality education is not negotiable. It’s people, not programs, that make the difference. Everyone is a reader and a teacher of reading. They encourage mutual respect, professionalism, and hard work that promotes achievement. Everyone is a lifelong learner, and success is an individual journey of continuous improvement.

Copper Hills Elementary School

1881 E. Plymouth Way, Fresno, CA 93720
Phone Number: (559) 327-6300

#4 in Best Public Elementary Schools in Fresno Area
Overall Grade: A
Students: 593 (Grades K-6)
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
Percent Proficient – Reading: 74%
Percent Proficient – Math: 68%

Copper Hills Elementary School is a Pre-K-6th grade elementary school in the nationally acclaimed Clovis Unified School District. It was named for the first Copper mine in the area, located near Armstrong & Copper Avenues, just 6.4 miles from the school. The school was built for 9 million dollars in 1996 by contractor David A. Bush Inc. and designed by Temple Anderson Moore Architects.

Copper Hills has been recognized as a California Pivotal Practices, California Distinguished School, a Bonner Character Education School, Civic Learning Award, a California Gold Ribbon School, and State Distinguished and has earned numerous awards for performance in academics, performing arts, and athletics. The Copper Hills Miners follow the “Miner Code” in everything they do and say.

Copper Hills Elementary School

Best Charter Schools in Fresno

With so many options of schools in Fresno, choosing the right charter school for your child doesn’t have to be overwhelming. As parents, you are more than qualified to make the decision. Ensuring that your child receives the best education is the best way for you to make sure they learn to survive every challenge they encounter. After all, you will entrust your chosen school to help shape and improve your child for them to get ready for college and eventually succeed in life.

Fresno offers many opportunities for kids to enjoy and have fun all year round! Check out our list of resources, or browse through our things to do in Fresno with kids. Are we still looking for more activities for kids in Fresno? No problem! Check out our comprehensive listing of charter schools in the region and our highly recommended education blog posts.

And if you’re in for some significant savings, such as coupon codes or any special offers and promotions for your kids in your area, check out our Deals and Discount category.

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