School Model Definitions

Magnet Schools - Magnet schools are schools or programs within traditional schools that offer a distinctive curriculum based on a special theme or method of instruction. They attract students, on a voluntary basis, from beyond their attendance zone.

Charter Schools - Charter schools are nonsectarian public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters are granted varies, but most are granted for 3-5 years. At the end of the term, the entity granting the charter may renew the school's contract. Charter schools are accountable to their sponsor - usually a state or local school board - to produce positive academic results and adhere to the charter contract. The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for this accountability. They are accountable for both academic results and fiscal practices to several groups: the sponsor that grants them, the parents who choose them, and the public that funds them.

Home Schools - A home school is a school in which parents teach their children an academic curriculum at home instead of sending them out to a public or private school. Home schooling is legal throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, Hong Kong, and South Africa. Home schooling is most popular in Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Home schooling is legally accepted in all 50 states of the U.S., but each state has its own laws for families to follow. Currently, it is estimated that over one million families school their children at home. Most of these families include a breadwinner and a stay-at-home parent who does most of the teaching, although there are single parent families and dual career families who home school.

Public Schools - An institution that receives the majority of its funding from moneys raised by a general state county, or district tax and whose property is operated by a political subdivision of the state.

Private Schools - Private schools are under the financial and managerial control of a private body or charitable trust, accepting mostly fee-paying pupils.

Sectarian Private Schools - One of a sect; a member or adherent of a special school, denomination, or religious or philosophical party; one of a party in religion which has separated itself from established church, or which holds tenets different from those of the prevailing denomination in a state.

Non-Sectarian Private Schools - Not restricted to one sect or school or party; as, religious training in a nonsectarian atmosphere; public funding is restricted to nonsectarian colleges.