Elementary school, also known as primary school, refers to the organized education of children from Kindergarten to 6th grade. Typical elementary schools consist of graded classrooms of children who have birthdays within the required year which teach curriculum based on age and provide targets each child should meet by the end of each school year.http://my.execpc.com/~presswis/multiage.html

The U.S. Department of Education provides oversight and funding for the nation’s elementary schools.http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/focus/what_pg2.html The establishment of elementary schools, their curricula, and their standards are governed by the laws of their individual states.http://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/focus/what_pg3.html About 46 million children in the United States are currently enrolled in public elementary schools, with another 6 million attending private schools.http://www.babycenter.com/0_school-types-the-difference-between-public-private-magnet-ch_67288.bc?page=1

Elementary schools come in many varieties. Depending on the area and parental preference, children may enter any one of these programs:

Public elementary school: Public schools are fully funded by tax dollars and admit all students within the geographical boundaries of their school districts.http://www.babycenter.com/0_school-types-the-difference-between-public-private-magnet-ch_67288.bc?page=1 Public elementary schools are the most common type of elementary education.http://www.babycenter.com/0_school-types-the-difference-between-public-private-magnet-ch_67288.bc?page=1

Charter schools: Charter schools are funded both by money from taxes and from money raised by the organization creating the charter school.http://www.babycenter.com/0_school-types-the-difference-between-public-private-magnet-ch_67288.bc?page=1 Charter schools provide alternative education, sometimes specializing in a specific area of study, but must still meet state curriculum standards.http://www.babycenter.com/0_school-types-the-difference-between-public-private-magnet-ch_67288.bc?page=1

Magnet schools: Magnet schools are public schools which accept students who meet certain criteria.http://www.babycenter.com/0_school-types-the-difference-between-public-private-magnet-ch_67288.bc?page=1 Originally created to aid in desegregation, magnet schools offer specialized programs for gifted students and are open to qualified students who live outside the school boundaries.http://www.babycenter.com/0_school-types-the-difference-between-public-private-magnet-ch_67288.bc?page=1

Private schools: private schools are schools which receive no public funding and rely instead on funds from parents, grants, endowments, and donations.http://www.babycenter.com/0_school-types-the-difference-between-public-private-magnet-ch_67288.bc?page=2 About 25% of all elementary schools in the United States are privately funded. http://www.babycenter.com/0_school-types-the-difference-between-public-private-magnet-ch_67288.bc?page=2

Parochial schools: Parochial schools make up the largest percentage of private schools in the United States.http://www.babycenter.com/0_school-types-the-difference-between-public-private-magnet-ch_67288.bc?page=2 Parochial schools are run by churches, most often Catholic, and teach religious principles along with secular curriculum.http://www.babycenter.com/0_school-types-the-difference-between-public-private-magnet-ch_67288.bc?page=2

Montessori schools: Founded by educational pioneer Maria Montessori, Montessori schools are private schools which emphasize child led learning experiences.http://www.montessori.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=282:brief-answers-to-questions-parents-often-ask&catid=7:faqs&Itemid=25 Students in Montessori schools receive an individualized education and are grouped with children younger and older in order for children to help each other through the process of learning.http://www.montessori.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=282:brief-answers-to-questions-parents-often-ask&catid=7:faqs&Itemid=25 Montessori education typically begins at age 3.http://www.montessori.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=282:brief-answers-to-questions-parents-often-ask&catid=7:faqs&Itemid=25