Types of schools, explained
Public, charter, magnet, alternative, private: here's what each label on Schola means, in plain words, with a link to the official definition.
U.S. public schools
Free to attend and paid for with public money.
Public School
A free public school run by the local school district, teaching the regular academic program. It doesn't focus mainly on special education, career training, alternative education or a magnet theme. Most children go to the public school assigned to their home address, though many districts also allow transfers.
80,739 on Schola · 71,234 with a Schola Grade · Source: NCES Common Core of Data glossary
Charter School
A free public school that runs independently of the school district under a charter, a contract granted by the state or another authorized body. Charter schools have more freedom over curriculum, staffing and schedule, and must meet the goals in their charter to stay open. There's no tuition; when more students apply than there are seats, they usually admit by lottery.
8,069 on Schola · 6,259 with a Schola Grade · Source: NCES Common Core of Data glossary
Magnet School
A public school or program built around a special theme, such as science and math, the performing arts, gifted education or a foreign language, and designed to attract students from across the district. Many magnet schools were created to bring together students of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Admission may be by lottery, application or test, depending on the school.
3,337 on Schola · 3,001 with a Schola Grade · Source: NCES Common Core of Data glossary
Career & Technical School
A public school that mainly prepares high-school-age students for skilled, technical and professional jobs, such as health care, construction, IT or culinary arts, often alongside a regular diploma. Some students attend full time; at regional centers they may split the day with their home high school. Government data calls these vocational schools.
1,555 on Schola · 205 with a Schola Grade · Source: NCES Common Core of Data glossary
Alternative School
A public school for students whose needs a regular school typically can't meet, offering nontraditional education. Examples include students catching up on credits, returning after a suspension or expulsion, or needing a smaller, more flexible setting. Some work as an extension of a regular school. Schola doesn't grade alternative schools: states judge them under separate rules, and ranking them against regular schools would mislead.
4,735 on Schola · Source: NCES Common Core of Data glossary
Special Education School
A public school focused mainly on students with disabilities, such as autism, intellectual disabilities, or hearing or visual impairments. It adapts its curriculum, materials and teaching for the students it serves. Students are usually placed there by their IEP team. Schola doesn't grade special-education schools, because their results can't be fairly compared with regular schools.
1,817 on Schola · Source: NCES Common Core of Data glossary
U.S. private schools
Run independently of government and mostly paid for by tuition.
Private School
A school run independently of the government and paid for mostly by tuition and donations. Private schools set their own admissions, curriculum and calendar, and can be religious or secular. They usually don't report state test results, so they don't get a Schola Grade.
12,382 on Schola · Source: NCES Private School Survey
Catholic School
A private school affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, usually run by a parish, a diocese or a religious order. Catholic schools enroll more students than any other group of U.S. private schools: about 36% of all private-school students in the latest Private School Survey.
4,958 on Schola · Source: NCES Private School Survey
Montessori School
A private school that follows the Montessori method developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. Classes mix ages, children learn with hands-on materials, and they choose much of their own work. Most Montessori schools stop at kindergarten or the end of elementary school.
1,962 on Schola · Source: NCES Private School Survey
Private Special Education School
A private school that mainly serves students with disabilities or learning differences. When a public school district can't provide the program a student needs, it sometimes places the student at a private special-education school and pays for it.
1,598 on Schola · Source: NCES Private School Survey
Early Childhood Program
A private preschool or early-learning program that includes kindergarten, which is why it appears in the federal Private School Survey. Almost all of them end at kindergarten or first grade.
1,611 on Schola · Source: NCES Private School Survey
Schools in England and Wales
State schools are free; independent schools charge fees.
State School
A free school maintained by the local council (the local authority). The type includes community schools, plus foundation and voluntary schools, which have more freedom and are often linked to a church. In England they follow the national curriculum; in Wales, the Curriculum for Wales.
10,644 on Schola · 7,501 with a Schola Grade · Source: GOV.UK: Types of school
Academy
A free, state-funded school run by a not-for-profit academy trust instead of the local council, with funding directly from central government. Academies have more freedom over how they run and don't have to follow the national curriculum. Academies exist in England only.
10,662 on Schola · 8,851 with a Schola Grade · Source: GOV.UK: Academies
Free School
A new state-funded school, free to attend, set up by a group such as a charity, a university, teachers or parents, and run on a not-for-profit basis independently of the local council. Free schools can't select pupils by academic ability. University technical colleges and studio schools are kinds of free school.
651 on Schola · 454 with a Schola Grade · Source: GOV.UK: Free schools
Independent School
A private school that charges fees and isn't funded by the government. Independent schools don't have to follow the national curriculum, but they must be registered with the government and are inspected regularly.
1,635 on Schola · Source: GOV.UK: Private schools
Special School
A school for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), often specializing in an area such as communication and interaction or sensory and physical needs. Special schools can be run by the council or an academy trust, or be independent.
2,141 on Schola · Source: GOV.UK: Children with special educational needs
Alternative Provision
Education arranged for pupils who wouldn't otherwise get a suitable education, for example because they have been excluded or are ill. This includes pupil referral units run by councils and alternative-provision academies and free schools.
358 on Schola · Source: GOV.UK: Alternative provision guidance
City Technology College
An independent school in an urban area that is free to attend, funded by central government with some business sponsorship, and focused on science and technology. Only three are still open.
3 on Schola · 3 with a Schola Grade · Source: GOV.UK: City technology colleges
Why some schools have no grade
A Schola Grade needs official test results. Private schools usually don't report them. Alternative and special-education schools aren't graded on purpose: they serve students in very different circumstances, and ranking them against regular schools would mislead. How Schola Grades work.