To learn more about differences between school types check out www.understood.org. ​

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​​Definitions​

Regular: Traditional public school.

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Charter: A public school that operates independently from the local school district. Charter schools conduct lotteries for admission when demand exceeds available seat and sare tuition-free and open to all students. Learn more here. 

Magnet: A public school that offers a specialized curriculum and is designed to attract students from a variety of backgrounds.  Magnet schools attract students based on their interest in a particular subject such as STEM programs, Performing arts programs, World languages programs, Language immersion programs, or Career-based learning programs. 

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Learn more about magnet schools in: Mecklenburg County here, Wake County here, Guilford County here, Forsyth County here.

 

Federal: Public schools on military bases.

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Cooperative Innovative: Public high schools that partner with a university or community college to offer high-quality instruction. These schools are usually located on the campus of a university or community college. Learn more here.​

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Early College: Public high schools that allow students to earn both a high school diploma and college credits. ​​

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Laboratory: Public elementary or secondary school operated in association with a university, college, or other teacher education institution and used for the training of future teachers, educational experimentation, educational research, and professional development.

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Hospital: Public schools operated in a hospital, generally a children's hospital that provides instruction during recovery to all primary and secondary grade levels.

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