When I was growing up, there never really was any question about which school I would be attending— whichever elementary or secondary school I was living in the boundaries for is the one I would attend. There weren’t many other options; if there were, they weren’t widely known and weren’t talked about much. The thought of having a choice to attend anything other than a traditional public school was foreign to me.
Fast forward many years, and there are a plethora of options for parents and students to choose from. While the majority of students today attend a traditional public school, there are many who choose otherwise. Not all schools are created equal, thus providing opportunities for unique learning experiences for all kinds of learners.
So what even are the differences between the various types of schools? We’ve got public, charter, private, magnet, boarding, parochial, and home schools. That’s a lot! Until I became a teacher, I honestly didn’t really fully understand the differences between each of these types of schools. If you find yourself in the same boat, look no further— I’ll explain!
Public Schools
Traditional public schools are the most widely attended across the United States. These types of schools are open to the general public, and service all children within their geographical boundaries. Students are not charged tuition, but sometimes are required to pay fees. Schools are funded by taxpayer dollars and other government funds, and are held to certain standards set by school boards and education departments.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are a type of public school, but unlike traditional public schools, they are free from many of the regulations and rules that traditional schools are held to. They also do not have the weight of the school board’s scrutiny over them. They do not charge tuition. Charter schools are open to the public, and are typically founded by parents, teachers, organizations, or for-profit groups. Charter schools are known for being more rigorous than traditional schools, and often push the boundaries on how learning is structured and delivered. They also often require a uniform and have a strict dress code.
Magnet Schools
Magnet schools are fairly new to the education game, and are becoming more popular. These kinds of schools are a type of charter school, but they specialize in specific areas, such as STEM, arts, music, etc. Students must still receive general education, but the main focus of study lies in how the school is specialized. Magnet schools tend to be very competitive and very selective about who they let into their programs. Since magnet schools are a type of charter/public school, they are tuition free. However, because they are specialized, they can require students to be at a certain aptitude level to be admitted. Magnet schools tend to have higher standards for their students, expecting great things academically. Magnet schools are really cool in that they give students a chance to be surrounded by likeminded peers who all share an enthusiasm for learning the particular area of focus for the school.
Private Schools
Private schools are as they sound— private and very selective. Private schools often require an entrance exam of some form, and students must apply to be let in. These schools are funded through tuition as well as other grants and donations from private entities. Typically, private schools require a uniform and are also quite rigid in their standards and expectations for their students.
Boarding Schools
Boarding schools are a type of private school where living arrangements are provided on site. Students live, eat, and learn on campus.
Parochial Schools
Parochial schools provide a private education that is heavily influenced by religious beliefs. We typically see these kinds of schools run by Catholic parishes, Protestant denominations, or other religious groups. Religious teachings are integrated with general education subjects.
Home Schools
Homeschooling has gained more popularity over recent years, with a large surge in interest happening after the COVID pandemic of 2020. Home school is as it sounds— students are educated at home, typically by a parent. Requirements for home school vary by state. Some states are very strict on how home school is run, requiring the parent to be a credentialed teacher and have regular check-ins with the school district. Other states are very lax in their requirements, not even requiring notification that a student will be homeschooled. Most states will fall somewhere in the middle. Homeschool offers a unique opportunity for students to be taught at a slower pace in the comfort of their own homes. Parents and students can join forces with other homeschool families and create cooperatives to allow for more opportunities for homeschooled children. Many students participate in a hybrid school experiences, where some of their subjects are taught at home or online and others are taught in person at a school.
It’s incredible that there are so many kinds of schools to pick from! There truly is a type of school for every kind of student. Having so many options allows for students to thrive as they attend the type of school that suits them best. There is no wrong or right type of school— all provide educational opportunities, and all give students the chance to challenge themselves academically and prepare for their future!
