This year, charter schools across the country logged the largest enrollment increase ever recorded.

Colorado, among the top states in the country for charter school enrollment increase, added 13 new charter schools and enrolled more than 8,500 additional students in the autonomous schools.

The data was released today by The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

Nationwide, data shows the number of students attending public charter schools has surpassed 2 million, and more than 500 new public charter schools opened in the current school year.

In Colorado, the 8,500 new charter school students represent an 11.9 percent growth.

California leads the nation in total number of charter schools with 983 schools in operation.

The report also keeps tabs on how many charter schools close each year to "provide further evidence that the charter school intent works — schools that do not meet the needs of their students should close."

Nationwide about 150 charter schools were closed this school year.

Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372 oryrobles@denverpost.com