When my kids went to school they had teachers outside before school to make sure the kids stood in orderly lines. The playground was right there, while they stood quietly in line. When I was a kid we were all over the playground before that first bell rang. The kids in k-2 did get a mid-morning recess though, and lunch, and mid-afternoon for kindergarten. I am betting the charter schools feel just as much, or even more, pressure to get good test scores so I am not surprised there are no breaks. I assume that good test scores will lead to more charters. Who gives a youknowwhat about the kids when better test scores will mean more schools and so profit? They can also try to avoid taking or boot kids who can't keep it together for that kind of structure.