Get these flashcards, study & pass exams. For free! Even on iPhone/Android!

Public schools get their financing from local, state, and federal government funds. In most cases, they must admit all students who live within the borders of their district. Charter schools and magnet schools are two relatively new kinds of public schools.

Private schools rely on tuition payments and funds from nonpublic sources such as religious organizations, endowments, grants, and charitable donations.
These schools select from a pool of students who apply for admission. They may be coed or single sex. About a third of the elementary and secondary schools in the United States are private.

A growing number of children – about 1.5 million in 2007 – are educated at home by parents or private tutors, or through online programs. Some homeschooling families join cooperatives to share resources and learn in a group setting.States regulate home schools and set requirements.

Most parents who choose homeschooling want to give their children religious or moral instruction, according to recent National Household Education Surveys. Many other families are worried about the public school environment or are unhappy with the quality of instruction in public schools.

They are free public schools that can be highly competitive and highly selective. They're renowned for their special programs and high academic standards. They may specialize in a particular area, such as science or the arts.
Students who apply to these schools may go through a rigorous testing and application process. Some magnet schools have boarding facilities to allow students from other communities to attend.

Charter schools in the United States offer primary or secondary education without charge to students who take state-mandated exams. Charter schools are subject to fewer rules, regulations, and statutes than traditional state schools, but receive less public funding than public schools, typically a fixed amount per pupil. They are non-profit entities, and can receive donations from private sources.

Public education is free to all children living in the USA. This applies to citizens and illegal immigrants. Public schools may not deny a child admission because of a lack of citizenship.

It is comprised of 13 grades (kindergarten-12th grade).
K-12 education is compulsory. Education can be had from either a public or a private school, and all children once they reach the age of at least six must attend.