One of four new charter schools for 2015 opened in Auckland today with 130 children signing up at the school in Glendene on day one.

Villa Education Trust's Alwyn Poole says this is a huge turnout for Middle School West Auckland's first day.

"One hundred and thirty on day one is an extraordinarily good start," he says.

"And we would expect to work from beyond that number during the year."

He admits charter schools crop a lot of flak, but says his experience shows they work for the communities they're opened in.

Poole says he can't speak for all charter schools, but South Auckland Middle School had an extraordinary inaugural year.

"The education review office came in, they very much liked what they saw," he says.

"South Auckland Middle School is full with waiting lists, so clearly the local community thinks that we've done a good job."