About Public Schools

Here we cover the history of public schools, explain the various types and discuss their pros/cons. Learn more about technology on campus, health and nutrition issues, and the latest information related to a variety of student populations.

View the most popular articles in About Public Schools:

What is an Online High School

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What is an Online High School
Find information about Online High Schools - what they are and how they work.

Online High Schools are a non-traditional form of education that uses the internet to deliver distance education. This type of online education is offered by existing traditional high schools (both public and private), universities, charter high schools and private cyber high schools.

There are several types of online high schools:

Cyber Charter High Schools

Cyber charter schools are identical to normal bricks and mortar charter schools, except that the learning is delivered to the students via the internet. As with traditional charter schools, cyber charter schools are self-managed, and receive state or federal funding to support their existence. Online charter schools follow the guidelines set by local school districts, but offer flexibility in terms of curriculum and set-up. Students can enroll at online charter schools free of charge and are normally issued with computers and free dialup access. There are approximately 31 virtual charter schools in 12 states that can provide an online education. Those states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin. Some of these schools are:

Online Private High Schools

Online private high schools are similar to regular private high schools. They are funded privately, so students need to pay tuition when enrolling. This can become rather expensive. The list of accredited high schools below was recommended by Online High Schools – http://www.cyberhighschools.com:

  • Penn
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Public School Supplies

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Public School Supplies
Find out which supplies you might need for attending public school.

Another school year, another adventure! Just as the first day of school is the cause of much excitement, so is all the required shopping that goes with starting off a new school year. With all the unknowns that a new school year can bring, it's nice to start planning early on what you will need to bring with you to school.What you will need for your new school year depends on where you go and what grade you are in. For example, some schools require kids to donate communal pencils or boxes of tissues at the beginning of the year. Other schools require students to only bring in personal supplies that they will use themselves. Sometimes this includes art supplies. The best thing to do is to check with your school.In the meantime, we have put together a sample list of school supplies that children attending public school will probably need to purchase. Often, local office supply stores will have on hand the supply lists for local public schools.

Elementary Public School Supplies

  • Art supplies: glue stick, scissors, crayons, colored pencils, markers, watercolor paints, play-doh (for the lower levels), sketch pads.
  • Pencil, Pencil Sharpener, Eraser.
  • Notebooks (spiral and/or composition). Teachers often ask that students bring in composition notebooks so that they cannot rip pages out without them being noticeable.
  • Loose Leaf Paper.
  • Graph Paper may be required for math subjects.
  • Folders to contain classroom handouts.
  • 3 Ring Binders to contain loose-leaf paper.
  • Personal Dictionary may be required for the higher levels.
  • Plastic school box to hold
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What Is A Charter School?

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What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.

What Is A Charter School?

Charter schools fit in a niche between private and public schools.

  • They are funded with public money except for their facilities.
  • They are an alternative to regular public school systems.

A private group of people can submit an application for and get approval for a charter to run their school.

  • Charter schools receive waivers from public school districts in exchange for promising better academic results.
  • Charters are usually given three to five years to demonstrate academic achievement, during which time officials monitor students’ academic performance.
  • If academic performance lags behind comparable public schools, then the charter is pulled, and the school is closed.

The Evolution of Charter Schools

Since the Minnesota legislature passed a law creating the first charter school in 1991, charter schools have seen an enormous increase to over 7,800 schools by 2021. By the 2021-2022 school year, charter school legislation had passed in 46 states and Washington, D.C.

  • This phenomenal increase in the number of charter schools proves that it is an educational innovation that is not confined to reforming existing schools.
  • It is also an avenue by which new schools can be created.

Chartering gives schools the freedom to tailor programs that are reflective of the community's needs.

  • Chartering also allows the school to run autonomously outside of the existing public school system.
  • Parents and educators are looking at chartering as
. . .read more

What Is A Magnet School?

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What Is A Magnet School?
This comprehensive guide explores magnet schools, their history, and their role in public education. It covers their unique characteristics, including specialized curricula and diverse student bodies, while discussing the pros and cons of magnet education. The article also provides practical advice for families considering magnet schools for their children.

This article will help you better understand what magnet schools are and their role in your family's education. We'll first introduce the concept of a magnet school. Then, we'll go over the function of magnet schools and how those functions have changed over the years. After that, we'll share some basic facts about magnet schools as well as go over the pros and cons of magnet schools. Finally, we'll end the article by discussing whether a magnet school is right for your family and how to increase your chances of getting your child into a magnet school.

What is a Magnet School?

Unlike charter or private schools, a magnet school is part of the local public school system. At regular public schools, students are generally zoned into their schools based on their home location - students go to the nearest school where they live. However, this may not always be true since boundaries can seem arbitrary, and in some smaller towns, schools are not zoned at all. But, magnet schools exist outside of zoned school boundaries. Private schools are separate from local public school districts, and charter schools are public schools with private oversight. Still, magnet schools remain part of the public school system and operate under the same administration and school board.

This video explains how magnet schools differ from charter schools.

According to the Magnet Schools of America, the unique quality

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About Public Schools

OVERVIEW OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
A comprehensive look at the U.S. public school system, including history, governing bodies, funding, and services. Compare private, public and charter schools. Learn more about Magnet school programs and get tips on choosing the right school for your child.
TYPES OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Explore the different types of public schools, from charter to language immersion, and learn about the unique pros and cons of each type. Is a co-ed or single sex classroom best for your child? Charter school or magnet? Read expert advice and get valuable tips on the various public education programs available and how to choose what works best for your family.
TECHNOLOGY ON CAMPUS
From eBooks to web cams, technology on campus continues to grow. Learn how the latest technology impacts your child’s education. Get tips on the best ways to integrate technology into education and stay abreast of the latest developments and challenges facing schools.
HEALTH AND NUTRITION AT SCHOOL
From vending machines to Jamie Oliver, bed bugs to tuberculosis, we provide an in-depth look at health and wellness in public schools. Help your kids stay healthy on campus and learn about current health epidemics, vaccination requirements, physical fitness programs and the latest food initiatives.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Learn more about preparing your child and wallet for a new school year. Inside you’ll find valuable advice to help your family prepare for the transition from swimsuits to school. While there is no tuition, public school education does not come without costs. Learn more about budgeting for a new school year and get great money saving tips.
STUDENT POPULATIONS
The latest trends, laws and resources for a variety of student populations. Every child has different needs, and this section offers helpful information for LGBT, special education, gifted, low-income, and minority students.