For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public charter schools serving 1,991 students in Madera County, CA.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Madera County, CA are Sherman Thomas Stem Academy, Minarets Charter High School and Glacier High School Charter. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Madera County, CA public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the California public charter school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 48% statewide average). Charter schools in Madera County have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of California public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public charter school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Charter Schools in Madera County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sherman Thomas Stem Academy
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
51 E Adell St
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 598-0228
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 598-0228
Gr: 6-8 | 75 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #22.
Minarets Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
45077 Road 220
O Neals, CA 93645
(559) 868-8689
O Neals, CA 93645
(559) 868-8689
Gr: 9-12 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Glacier High School Charter
Charter School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
41267 Highway 41
Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 642-1422
Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 642-1422
Gr: 9-12 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #44.
Mountain Home Charter (Alternative)
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
41267 Highway 41
Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 642-1422
Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 642-1422
Gr: K-8 | 213 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #55.
Sherman Thomas Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
26303 Adell St.
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 675-6626
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 675-6626
Gr: 9-12 | 69 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #66.
Chawanakee Academy Charter
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
45077 Road 200
O Neals, CA 93645
(559) 868-4200
O Neals, CA 93645
(559) 868-4200
Gr: K-12 | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Sherman Thomas Charter
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
101 West Adell St.
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 674-1192
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 674-1192
Gr: K-8 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #88.
Pioneer Technical Center
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1665 East Olive Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 664-1600
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 664-1600
Gr: K-12 | 207 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #99.
Liberty Charter
Charter School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
26247 Ellis St.
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 675-2070
Madera, CA 93638
(559) 675-2070
Gr: K-8 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1010.
Madera County Independent Academy
Alternative School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1635 East Olive Ave.
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 662-4640
Madera, CA 93637
(559) 662-4640
Gr: K-12 | 61 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Madera County, CA?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Madera County, CA include Sherman Thomas Stem Academy, Minarets Charter High School and Glacier High School Charter.
How many public charter schools are located in Madera County?
10 public charter schools are located in Madera County.
What is the racial composition of students in Madera County?
Madera County public charter schools minority enrollment is 73% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public charter schools average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
