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A '''School''' is an educational institution. Schools can be either publicly- or privately-owned, funded by public or private sources or a combination of both, and may have a secular or a religious mandate.   

A '''school''' is an educational institution. Schools can be either publicly- or privately-owned, funded by public or private sources or a combination of both, and may have a secular or a religious mandate.   

In the [[United States]], there are an estimated 49.6 million students enrolled in 97,000 public elementary and secondary schools. <ref>U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Public school enrollment in prekindergarten through grade 12, by grade level and region, with projections: Various years, fall 1965–2016 [http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/2007/section1/table.asp?tableID=663]</ref> <ref>U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Number of operating public elementary and secondary schools, by school type, charter, magnet, Title I and Title I school wide status, and state or jurisdiction: School year 2005–06 [http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2007/pesschools06/tables/table_2.asp]</ref>  In addition, 6.1 million students are enrolled in about 28,000 private schools, and 1.1 million are homeschooled. <ref>U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Enrollment in educational institutions, by level and control of institution: Selected years, 1869–70 through fall 2015 [http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d06/tables/dt06_003.asp?referrer=list]</ref> <ref>U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Number of educational institutions, by level and control of institution: Selected years, 1980–81 through 2004–05 [http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d06/tables/dt06_005.asp?referrer=list]</ref> 

In the [[United States of America]], 87% of children attend taxpayer-funded [[atheistic]] schools that censor classroom [[prayer]].

 

In the United States, 89% of children attend taxpayer-funded [[atheistic]] schools that censor classroom [[prayer]].

The increasingly popular alternative to school is [[homeschooling]].<ref>[http://nces.ed.gov/nhes/homeschool/ 1.1 Million Home-schooled Students in the United States in 2003], Nation Institute for Education Statistics</ref>

The increasingly popular alternative to school is [[homeschooling]].<ref>[http://nces.ed.gov/nhes/homeschool/ 1.1 Million Home-schooled Students in the United States in 2003], Nation Institute for Education Statistics</ref>

A '''private school''' is one that is owned by some body other than the state.  Private schools are generally funded by fees levied on the parents of the students, which usually means that the parents are paying twice, once in direct fees, and once in taxes for state schools.

A '''private school''' is one that is owned by some body other than the state.  Private schools are generally funded by fees levied on the parents of the students, which usually means that the parents are paying twice, once in direct fees, and once in taxes for state schools.

In [[Australia]], the Federal government provides some funding to private schools, although the parents of the students provide most of the income of the school.

In Australia, the Federal government provides some funding to private schools, although the parents of the students provide most of the income of the school.

Some private schools aspire to very high standards, some specialize in certain modes and topics of instruction (such as a military school), and yet others provide a place for children who need curricula not available in the state systems.  

Some private schools aspire to very high standards, some specialize in certain modes and topics of instruction (such as a military school), and yet others provide a place for children who need curricula not available in the state systems.  

=== Public school ===

=== Public school ===

In America, a '''public school''' is a ''state school''.  In some British Commonwealth countries, a '''public school''' is a church-run (i.e. run by a church denomination) school that is open to the general public. In the [[United Kingdom]] a public school is a private school (as opposed to a 'state school', funded by the government through Local Education Authorities and free of charge to pupils) whose head teacher is a member of the Headmasters' Conference.

In America, a '''public school''' is a ''state school''.  In some [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries, a '''public school''' is a church-run (i.e. run by a church denomination) school that is open to the general public. In the [[United Kingdom]] a public school is a private school (as opposed to a 'state school', funded by the government through Local Education Authorities and free of charge to pupils) whose head teacher is a member of the Headmasters' Conference.

In America, the curriculum in public schools is dictated by state governments and increasingly by the federal government under the "No Child Left Behind" legislation. Federal courts generally prohibit any type of prayer led by school officials, and even forbid the display and teaching of the [[Ten Commandments]].

In America, the curriculum in public schools is dictated by state governments and increasingly by the federal government under the "No Child Left Behind" legislation. Federal courts generally prohibit any type of prayer led by school officials, and even forbid the display and teaching of the [[Ten Commandments]].

Compulsory 5-days a week, nearly 8-hours a day attendance at public school only began nationwide in the [[United States]] during the 20th century.  Compulsory schooling laws were not universal throughout the [[United States]] until 1917, and even then the school year was often less than a half year.<ref>http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/kellmeyer/050428</ref>  There have been few, if any, long-term studies on the effects of the modern approach of full-time attendance at school from age 6 and younger to age 21 and older.

Compulsory 5-days a week, nearly 8-hours a day attendance at public school only began nationwide in the [[United States]] during the 20th century.  Compulsory schooling laws were not universal throughout the [[United States]] until 1917, and even then the school year was often less than a half year.<ref>http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/kellmeyer/050428</ref>  There have been few, if any, long-term studies on the effects of the modern approach of full-time attendance at school from age 6 and younger to age 21 and older.