Public school
The term public school has different (and in some cases contradictory) meanings due to regional differences.
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English Speaking Nations
In most English-speaking nations, a public school is a school that is financed and run by the government and does not charge tuition fees in which children attend. This is in contrast to a private school (also known as an "independent school.") Here, the word "public" is used in the sense of "public library," provided to the public at public expense. There are variations on the name, such as in Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand, public schools are also known as state schools, a term also used in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. But the idea of the public supporting these schools is the same despite a difference in name. Most public schools range in classes from kindergarden to four years of highschool or secondary school. This normally lasts until one is 17/18 years of age.
- In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, "public school" refers only to certain independent secondary schools that are members of the Headmasters Conference. See the article Independent school (UK)
- In some countries, such as Brazil and Mexico, the adjective "public" is used to denote education institutions owned by the federal, state, or city governments. They never charge tuition. Public schools exist in all levels of education, from the very beginning through post-secondary studies.
Northern and Central America
USA
Education in the United States is provided mainly by the government, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Curricula, funding, teaching, and other policies are set through locally elected school boards with jurisdiction over school districts. School accreditation decisions are made by voluntary regional associations. Public school is normally split up into three stages. Primary School (Kindergarden to 6th grade), Junior Highschool (7th to 8th) and Highschool (9th to 12th).
In the United States, institutions of higher education that are subsidized by U.S. states are also referred to as "public." Unlike public secondary schools, public universities charge for tuition, though fees for in-state students are usually lower than at private universities. Community colleges are examples of public institutions of higher education.
- See the article Public school (US) for more details on public schools in the United States.
Europe (EU)
Denmark
The Danish School system is supported by the public from day care to higher education. Students from the age of 18 can goto college on government grants. This grant is called SU. To read more about the Danish public school system, go to Education in Denmark.
South Asia
India and Sri Lanka
In India and Sri Lanka, due to the British influence, the term "public schools" implies non-governmental, historically elite educational institutions, often modeled on British public schools.
