Private school enrollment shrinks in favor of public charter schools

Enrollment in Hawaii’s private schools fell 12 percent over the last decade, a notable drop in a state where private education has long been highly prized.

Meanwhile, the number of students in public charter schools shot up 77 percent, as new campuses popped up across the islands, shifting Hawaii’s educational landscape.

The new charters are offering things that parents often seek in private schools, including small class sizes and innovative teaching methods. And the price is right. Like other public schools, charters charge no tuition.