School
A school is an institution where employees are paid ostensibly to instruct children in various subjects for nearly an entire workday.
In America, Public schools are government-controlled entities which exclude religious instruction or teacher-led prayer from the schoolchildren. Government-controlled schools are supported by taxes and would likely collapse in the absence of taxes. Prior to the 20th century, public school attendance was only part-time, consuming only about half or less of the year.
Private schools, also known as public schools in Commonwealth countries as they are open to the public, are organized similarly, though they are not paid for by society but by the children's parents, thereby constituting a double expense for parents. 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 public systems.
Schooling also occurs (in smaller numbers) in various non-traditional and non-institutional environments. This is often due to concerns of parents about institutional schooling, such as a lack of quality in traditional schools and their hostility to religion and morality.
In Nordic Countries there are virtually no schools other than government schools.[Citation Needed]
Terminology
In the United Kingdom and many of its former colonies, the term public school actually refers to a fee-paying private institution. The paradoxical name comes the fact that it is open to the public regardless of creed or geographical location as opposed to faith schools which required adherence to a particular religion.