Yes — completely. Here’s what that means, how it works, and what families actually pay to attend STARS Charter School and STARS Virtual Academy.
Is STARS Charter School tuition-free? Yes, completely. STARS Charter School and its online division, STARS Virtual Academy, are public charter schools funded by the state of North Carolina. Families pay no tuition, no enrollment fees, and no monthly costs. If your child qualifies to attend public school in North Carolina, they can attend STARS at no cost.
How Is STARS Charter School Funded?
STARS Charter School operates as a North Carolina public charter school. Public charter schools in North Carolina receive per-pupil funding from the state — the same funding mechanism used by traditional public schools. When a student enrolls at STARS, that funding follows the student from the state to the school.
No money comes out of a family’s pocket. The state funds the education. The school delivers it.
| STARS Charter School and STARS Virtual Academy are tuition-free public charter schools. There is no tuition, no application fee, and no enrollment cost. Families pay nothing to attend. |
What Do Families Actually Pay?
Nothing for tuition or instruction. Here is a complete breakdown of what families pay and what STARS covers:
What STARS Covers — at No Cost to Families
- All instruction delivered by certified teachers
- Full curriculum aligned to NC state standards
- Enrollment — no application or registration fee
- Academic progress monitoring and reporting
- Direct teacher communication and support
- Free Dell laptop for SVA students after completing year one
What Families Provide for SVA
- A reliable internet connection
- A learning space at home
That’s it. There are no hidden fees, no supply lists with expensive requirements, and no monthly platform charges. The program is genuinely free.
Is the In-Person Campus Also Free?
Yes. STARS Charter School’s in-person campus program in Vass, North Carolina is also tuition-free. Both the campus-based program and STARS Virtual Academy operate under the same public charter school funding model.
Why Do Some Families Assume Charter Schools Cost Money?
It’s a common misconception. Charter schools are sometimes confused with private schools, which do charge tuition. The key distinction is that charter schools are public schools — authorized and funded by the state, open to any qualifying student, and free to attend.
Private schools are independently funded and charge tuition. Public charter schools like STARS are state-funded and tuition-free. The ‘charter’ refers to the school’s operating agreement with the state — not a cost structure.
Are There Any Costs Associated with SVA?
The only practical costs for SVA families are internet access and a device for the first year. SVA provides a free Dell laptop to every student who completes year one, so device costs are eliminated after that point.
For families concerned about internet costs, federal assistance programs may be available to help reduce monthly bills. Contact SVA directly to ask what resources they can point you toward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is STARS Charter School tuition-free?
Yes. STARS Charter School is a public charter school funded by the state of North Carolina. There is no tuition, no enrollment fee, and no monthly cost for families.
Is STARS Virtual Academy free?
Yes. SVA is the online division of STARS Charter School and operates under the same tuition-free public charter school model.
Do I have to pay to apply to STARS?
No. There is no application fee to apply to STARS Charter School or STARS Virtual Academy.
Is STARS a private school?
No. STARS is a public charter school. It is state-funded and tuition-free, not a private school.
Does SVA provide a laptop?
Yes. Every student who completes their first year at STARS Virtual Academy receives a free Dell laptop.
See our full guide to how enrollment works at STARS Charter School for a step-by-step walkthrough of the process.
What is STARS Virtual Academy?
SVA is the online learning division of STARS Charter School. See our complete guide to what STARS Virtual Academy is and who it’s for.
The Bottom Line
Is STARS Charter School tuition-free? Yes — fully, completely, and without exception. STARS Charter School and STARS Virtual Academy are public charter schools funded by the state of North Carolina. Families pay nothing to enroll or attend.
If cost has been the thing standing between your family and a better school fit, it shouldn’t be. STARS is free.
Ready to enroll?
Enrollment at STARS Virtual Academy is limited to 50 students. Contact STARS at starscharter.org to apply early and secure your child’s spot.
