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Education Glossary

School Types

16 terms in this category

Alternative School

A school offering non-traditional approaches to education, often serving students who have not thrived in conventional settings.

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Boarding School (Residential School)

A residential school where students live on campus in dormitories during the academic year, receiving education, meals, housing, and extracurricular activities in an immersive learning community.

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Charter School

A publicly funded school that operates independently of the traditional public school system under a charter or contract with the state.

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Day School

A school where students attend during daytime hours and return home each evening, as opposed to a boarding school.

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Homeschool (Home Education)

An educational approach where parents teach their children at home rather than sending them to public or private school.

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International Baccalaureate School (IB School)

A school authorized to offer International Baccalaureate programs, known for rigorous academics and international-mindedness.

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Laboratory School (Lab School)

A school affiliated with a university that serves as a site for educational research, teacher training, and innovative practices.

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Magnet School

A public school offering specialized curriculum focused on specific areas like STEM, arts, or languages to attract students from across district boundaries.

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Montessori School

A school following the Montessori method, emphasizing child-led learning, mixed-age classrooms, and hands-on educational materials.

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Parochial School (Parish School)

A private school affiliated with a religious parish or church, typically Catholic, providing education with religious instruction.

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Preparatory School (Prep School)

A private secondary school designed to prepare students for college or university admission, often with rigorous academics.

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Private School

An independent school funded primarily through tuition, endowments, and donations rather than government funding.

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Public School

A government-funded school that provides free education to all students within its designated attendance zone.

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STEM School

A school with curriculum emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics through integrated, hands-on learning.

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Virtual School (Online School)

A school that delivers instruction primarily or entirely through online and digital platforms rather than in-person.

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Waldorf School (Steiner School)

A school based on Rudolf Steiner's educational philosophy emphasizing creativity, imagination, and holistic child development.

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