Public school systems in the United States are government-run and regulated by federal, state, and local laws. This means that education is generally free for all children, although there are some fees associated with attending public schools. These fees may include the purchase of books, equipment, and uniforms, and they can vary from state to state and between schools. Additionally, some specialized schools, such as those focused on music, may have different rates.
The history of public education in the United States has had a significant impact on the country's configuration in the early 20th century. However, one drawback for many families is that students must attend the public school in their home district. To estimate the cost of a good public school, it is necessary to compare the cost of neighborhoods associated with that school to the cost of nearby neighborhoods in other school districts. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) shows that public schools have less than three years of experience than private schools.
While private elementary schools offer smaller classes than public schools, this is not true for middle and high schools. Additionally, public schools provide transportation for all students within their zoned area. If parents are looking for a religious education for their children, they will need to send them to a private religious school. However, there are many different types of private schools that vary widely in cost and the education they provide.
To be admitted to any American university, students must meet certain age requirements and have a high school transcript documenting their grades, courses, and rigor of core subjects as well as performance in AP and IB courses. They must also have class classification, ACT or SAT scores, extracurricular activities, an admission essay, and letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors. Expat parents hoping to send their children to one of the most popular private schools in the United States should be aware that competition for places can be tough and that schools can be very selective with the students they accept. If parents choose to send their children to private school instead of public school, they will need to be more involved in their children's education as they will need to research schools, teachers, and curricula.
Private schools tend to be much more expensive than public schools, although prices vary widely. In the United States as well as Australia and Canada, public education is defined as a “federally funded school administered to some extent by the government and charged with educating all citizens” according to Education Bug. The Education for All Disabled Children Act (EHA) of 1975 required all public schools that accept federal funding to provide equal access to education and one free meal a day for children with physical or mental disabilities. There are 4,340 magnet schools in the country that educate more than 3.5 million students according to Magnet Schools of America.