Choosing a School for Your Child: Resources and Information for Finding the Right One
Your child will spend at least 16,000 hours at school from kindergarten through grade 12. That's only one reason why it’s important to select a school that will allow your child to thrive. The Web offers solid resources and information to help you in choosing a school for your child that meets their needs and those of your family.
Expand All Guide SectionsUnderstanding Different Types of Schools
With choices ranging from public, private, charter, magnet, independent and parochial schools, how can you find the right one? Before you get overwhelmed, read this guide to find the best Web sites for understanding different types of schools.
Insights for Understanding Different Types of Schools
- Charter schools are public schools that are privately managed by a team selected by parents, teachers and community members.
- Magnet schools are part of the public school system but offer a specialized curriculum.
- Independent schools are nonprofit private schools, governed by elected boards of trustees.
- Parochial schools are church-affiliated private schools and function like independent schools.
Top Sites for Understanding Different Types of Schools
To find public, private or charter schools …
NCES Kids’ Zone
lists more than 94,000 public schools and 30,000 private schools in the United States. Choose a state on the map to find schools listed by city; each school links to a complete profile page.
The U.S. Department of Education
official Web site provides extensive information on public school education in the U.S. Find state information such as your state department of education, and information for parents.
GreatSchools
lets you explore different types of schools with tools that help you research and compare private, public and charter schools around the U.S. Search by zip code, district or city to compare schools.
To find a boarding school …
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
helps you find college-preparatory boarding schools by school name, location or type (for example, military schools or girls schools).
To find magnet and independent schools …
The Independent Schools Directory
lists more than 36,000 independent schools around the world, and links to each school. Choose your location to search for schools by keyword, category or more specific location.
Schools for Gifted Students
Explore schools for gifted students to get familiar with how ... read more »
Special Education Programs
Some children experience difficulty in school, ranging from concentration problems to learning, ... read more »
Applying to Schools
The school application process can be rigorous, time-consuming and expensive. Use the Web sites in ... read more »
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