EdCircuit Staff 
There are more types of schools in the United States than many families realize. Most students attend a traditional public school, but families can also choose from charter, magnet, virtual, private, religious, Montessori and career-focused schools, as well as homeschooling and the fast-growing microschools. Each type is funded, governed and run differently. This guide explains the main types of schools, how many students attend each and how they differ.
Types of schools at a glance
| Type | Funded by | Tuition | Approximate size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional public school | Public (local, state, federal) | Free | 91,390 schools (2022–23) |
| Public charter school | Public | Free | 7,998 schools; 3.7 million students |
| Magnet school | Public | Free | 2.2 million students (2022–23, California not reported) |
| Virtual (online) public school | Public | Free | 1,323 schools; about 563,000 students |
| Private school (religious and independent) | Tuition, donations, sometimes state programs | Usually | 29,730 schools; about 4.7 million students |
| Homeschool | Families, sometimes state programs | Family pays costs | 3.4% of K-12 students (2022–23) |
| Microschool | Tuition, often state school choice funds | Usually | Estimates range from 750,000 to 2 million students |
Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Education Week, Pew Research Center, RAND and the National Microschooling Center; details below.
Public schools
Traditional public schools
Traditional public schools are run by local school districts, funded by taxpayers and open to all children who live in their attendance zone, free of charge. There were 99,388 public schools in 2022–23, including 91,390 traditional public schools, according to Education Week’s summary of federal data, and public schools enrolled about 49.6 million students in fall 2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Charter schools
A public charter school is, in NCES’s words, “a publicly funded school that is typically governed by a group or organization under a legislative contract” with the state, a district or another authorizer. Charter schools are free and open to the public, are exempt from some rules that apply to district schools and can be closed if they do not meet the terms of their charter. Charter enrollment doubled from 1.8 million in fall 2010 to 3.7 million in fall 2021, about 7 percent of public school students. For more on how charters fit into school choice, see edCircuit’s School Choice coverage.
Magnet schools
Magnet schools are public schools with a special focus, such as science and technology, the arts or language immersion, that draw students from across a district. They enrolled about 2.2 million students in 2022–23, according to NCES data that do not include California.
Virtual public schools
Virtual schools deliver instruction online. There were 1,323 virtual public schools in 2022–23, enrolling 562,659 students, a little over 1 percent of public enrollment, Education Week reports.
Career and technical schools and early college
Some public high schools focus on career and technical education, preparing students for trades, health care, technology and other fields, often with industry credentials. Early college high schools let students earn college credit or an associate degree while still in high school. Both can be stand-alone schools or programs within a comprehensive high school.
Private schools
Private schools are funded mainly by tuition and donations and set their own admissions, curriculum and teacher requirements. There were 29,730 private K-12 schools in 2021–22, enrolling about 4.7 million students, about 9 percent of all K-12 students, according to NCES. Of those students, about 1.7 million attended Catholic schools, 2.0 million other religious schools and 1.1 million nonsectarian schools.
- Religious schools, including Catholic, Christian, Jewish and Islamic schools, combine academics with religious instruction. Catholic schools numbered 6,120 in 2021–22.
- Independent schools are nonprofit private schools governed by their own boards.
- Montessori and Waldorf schools follow specific educational philosophies; most are private, though some public schools use Montessori methods.
- Boarding schools provide housing as well as classes.
- Special education schools serve students with specific disabilities or learning needs.
In many states, families can now use public money for private schools through vouchers or education savings accounts, such as Texas’s new Education Freedom Accounts.
Homeschooling
About 3.4 percent of K-12 students were homeschooled in 2022–23, according to an NCES survey reported by Pew Research Center; another 1.8 percent attended full-time virtual public or private schools. Homeschool rules vary widely by state, from simple notice to required testing or portfolio reviews. Many homeschooling families join co-ops, where parents share teaching.
Microschools
Microschools are very small schools, often with fewer than 20 or 30 students of mixed ages, that emphasize personalized, self-paced learning. They may operate as private schools, under homeschool laws or, in some places, as public schools. Estimates of how many students attend vary: RAND put the figure at between 1 million and 2 million full-time students in 2025.
How to choose among types of schools
- Cost. Public, charter, magnet and virtual public schools are free; private schools and microschools usually charge tuition, though state programs may cover some or all of it.
- Admission. Traditional public schools take every student in their zone; charter and magnet schools often use lotteries or applications; private schools set their own admissions.
- Accountability. Public and charter schools take state tests and report results; private schools and microschools follow different, often lighter, rules.
- Services. Public schools must provide special education services under federal law; families should ask any other school exactly what support it offers.
- Fit. Visit, ask about class size, curriculum and teaching approach, and talk to current families.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of schools in the U.S.? Traditional public, charter, magnet, virtual, private (religious and independent), homeschool and microschools, plus specialized schools such as career and technical, early college, Montessori and boarding schools.
How many schools are there in the U.S.? About 99,400 public schools in 2022–23 and about 29,700 private schools in 2021–22, according to federal data.
What is the difference between a charter school and a public school? Charter schools are public schools: free and publicly funded. They are run under a contract (charter) with an authorizer rather than directly by the school district, and have more freedom over curriculum and operations.
What is the difference between a magnet school and a charter school? Both are free public schools of choice. Magnet schools are usually run by the school district and built around a theme; charter schools are run independently under a charter.
How many students go to private school? About 4.7 million, roughly 9 percent of K-12 students, in fall 2021.
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