Different Types of Schools in the U.S.

In the United States, parents and guardians have many choices when it comes to their children’s education. Multiple considerations factor into choosing the right school, including location, program, cost and any benefits a school might offer. Balancing all these factors can make it tricky to choose the right school for your child.

Here is some information to help you begin to identify the different types of schools where your child is most likely to thrive. If you’re a current or rising college student interested in becoming a teacher, you may also find this information useful.

In This Blog:

• Different Types of Schools: Why Do Different Types of Schools Matter?
• Types of Public Schools
• Types of Private Schools
• Alternative Types of Schooling
• Explore Teaching Degrees at GCU

Different Types of Schools: Why Do Different Types of Schools Matter?

The best education for one child isn’t necessarily the best education for another. Each child is unique, so there is no “one size fits all” approach. Before you can sort through the types of schooling options available, you’ll need to determine what sort of environment and support is most likely to benefit your child and help them grow, learn and flourish.

Consider asking yourself the following questions:

• Does my child have any special needs? (e.g., learning difference)
• Does my child need small class sizes and plenty of individualized attention?
• Is my child an exceptional student who needs to be challenged academically?
• Could my child benefit from a highly supportive and inclusive school environment that has zero tolerance for bullying?
• Does my child have any particular abilities (e.g., art, music or sports) that can benefit from a particular environment?

Types of Public Schools

All types of public schools are publicly funded, which means this option for schooling is generally the first choice for parents and guardians who aren’t able to pay for tuition and other fees out of pocket.

Traditional Public School

Traditional public schools are probably what you think of first when you think of school. These types of schools are generally neighborhood schools paid for by property taxes plus other state and federal government funds.¹ Students may attend their local public school free of charge and the school location is determined by where they live.

Since they are publicly funded, traditional public schools must follow state-mandated rules regarding curriculum and governance. Traditional public schools offer programs for general education students as well as students with exceptionalities. In addition, these schools may have tracks for college preparation, technical education or programming for gifted students.  
Teachers must obtain the required state licensure to work in public schools, as mandated by local regulations.²

Magnet School

Magnet schools are public schools that focus on specific areas, such as STEM, technology or the arts. These schools are typically transformed into specialized study environments by the school district.

Magnet schools are often types of schools seen as gifted and talented programs because they are highly selective and competitive. To be admitted to a magnet school, students must apply and demonstrate their abilities in the school’s area of specialization.³ For example, art students may need to create portfolios or perform musical auditions.

The main role for teachers in these types of schools is to create educational content. This includes note-taking, assignments and tests. They also help with developing a custom curriculum dedicated to course goals, including school-specific objectives for magnet students.

Charter School

A charter school is a publicly funded school that is privately managed, so it is not necessarily run according to state or district mandates. Teachers and administrators at charter schools have more local authority, meaning they can choose their own curriculum and set rules and regulations that work best for their student population.⁴

Charter schools form when a group, organization or individual writes a charter that the state approves. They generally focus on a mission that sets them apart from local traditional public schools. For example, charter schools may focus on STEM, the arts, project-based learning or college preparation. Students usually apply to enter a charter school and are often accepted through a lottery system. Charters must periodically be renewed. To have its charter renewed, a school must show that it has fulfilled its mission and helped its students achieve academically.⁵

Virtual School

Virtual school or online school is another option for public school students. Public schools can offer online learning in several ways. Some public schools are entirely online, with students completing all their schoolwork at home. Fully online or virtual education can be synchronous, asynchronous or a combination of the two.

In synchronous learning with a teacher, students log into a video chat room and learn directly from their teacher in real time. With asynchronous options, students move through online course material at their own pace with little or no real-time interaction. They may check in with their teacher via email or with an occasional video chat.

Types of Private Schools

Parents and guardians who feel their children would do better outside the public school system have many options to choose from. The following are the most common types of private schools.

Traditional Private School

Private schools are not funded by the government. Instead, they charge attendance fees to their students’ families. Independence from government funding allows private schools to follow whatever curriculum they choose. Private schools can be religious or secular. They can follow specific belief systems or educational programs. Those that do not designate any affiliation may be classified as independent. Private school teachers usually teach K-12 classes in a variety of private school settings. The teaching may include faith-based learning and certain philosophical teachings.

Religious School

Private schools with a religious affiliation are often chosen by families who want their children to receive a religious education in alignment with their family values. Religious schools are often affiliated with religions or religious organizations or associations. One type of religious school, called parochial schools, is affiliated with and supported by a specific church entity or place of worship.⁶

Some religious schools develop a reputation for academic excellence and attract students for that reason, apart from religious affiliation. They may set their own curriculum and may balance religious teaching with secular academics or emphasize one over the other. The teachers can provide discipline according to biblical standards and train students in righteousness and other godly values in their lives.

Types of Schooling by Approach: Montessori and Waldorf Schools

There are many educational and pedagogical belief systems about education. You may have heard of the Montessori method. This type of programming builds students' academic skills by honoring their interests and individuality. Montessori schools are usually private schools that help students explore the world through hands-on activities.

Waldorf schools are also based on a specific pedagogical approach. The Waldorf method is committed to child development in a holistic sense and builds a curriculum that initially helps students develop physically and emotionally. It is not until students are older that academic work takes center stage in a Waldorf school. Teachers can focus on creating and planning lessons and activities that encourage enthusiastic learning, intellectual growth, self-esteem and social responsibility.

Boarding School

A boarding school allows students to live where they attend school. It is a community of students living and learning together. Boarding schools may specialize in specific areas, such as nature or sports.

These schools also offer general academics along with strong community and extracurricular activities. The faculty members, including teachers, staff and their families might live on campus and serve the student body via coaching or counseling activities.

Language Immersion School

While some public schools offer language immersion, many schools that offer full language immersion are private. These schools immerse students in a language they are not yet fluent in.

In some cases, immersion is complete, meaning the school conducts all instruction in the child’s second or new language. In other cases, there is two-way immersion so that children learn in both their native and their new language. Bilingual teachers lead classes in more than one language.

Special Education Schools

Many parents whose children have exceptionalities opt for private special education schools. In these schools, children get more individualized attention from teachers and professionals who are well-versed in the modifications, treatments or therapy they may need.

The role of the teacher in this type of school is to assess the student’s skills and learning requirements and determine how to best meet those needs. They can also design Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) and collaborate with parents and school staff to track students' progress.

Alternative Types of Schooling

While public and private schools combined offer a wide variety of choices to families, some may look beyond these offerings. One alternative type of schooling includes homeschooling.

Homeschool

Some families have a difficult time finding the right school for their children because of the curriculum or their beliefs. Other families live far away from the nearest school, which makes attending school difficult for the children. Still other children help their families with certain types of work that make it difficult for them to attend public school regularly. These families may choose to homeschool.

In this case, the parent or guardian requests permission from the state to homeschool. Families may follow a predesigned curriculum or develop their own curriculum to support their child's needs. In this type of learning environment, parents and guardians typically act as the primary teachers, although some families may hire a tutor to assist with instruction.

Explore Teaching Degrees at GCU

Exploring different types of schools can help you find the best fit for your child’s needs and learning style, while also helping teachers to adapt their methods and excel in diverse educational environments.

If working with young children is your career goal, join us at Grand Canyon University and earn your Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from the College of Education. You will explore the developmental milestones young children need to reach to continue to grow and develop into happy, healthy and successful individuals.