Comparing US Public and Private Schools / 美国中小学公立和私立学校的比较

Most US public schools enroll children from kindergarten, around age 5, through 12th grade. Your child's public school is usually assigned by your home address, and tuition is free. Schools are commonly divided into elementary, middle and high school, though the grade split varies by district.

美国公立学校一般从孩子5岁左右的学前班（Kindergarten）开始，一直到12年级高中毕业，按居住地址划分学区，免学费。学校通常分为小学、初中和高中，各学区的年级划分不尽相同。

For younger children, preschool and daycare are mostly private and paid by parents, although many states and cities now offer free public pre-K for 4-year-olds.

5岁以下的托儿所和幼儿园大多为私立、家长自费，但现在很多州和城市为4岁孩子提供免费的公立学前班（Pre-K）。

Cost / 费用

Public schools are funded by taxes. Families pay no tuition but may pay for meals, supplies and activities; low-income families can get these reduced or waived. Private school tuition ranges widely, from a few thousand dollars a year at many religious schools to tens of thousands at elite independent schools.

公立学校经费来自税收，不收学费，但餐费、文具和活动费需自付，低收入家庭可以减免。私立学校学费差别很大，从每年几千美元的教会学校到每年几万美元的精英私校都有。

Teachers / 师资

Public school teachers must hold a state teaching license. Private schools set their own hiring standards and may not require one.

公立学校老师必须持有州政府颁发的教师执照；私立学校自行决定招聘标准，不一定要求执照。

Class size / 班级规模

Private schools usually have smaller classes and a lower student-to-teacher ratio than public schools.

私立学校的班级通常更小，师生比更低。

Curriculum / 课程

Public schools follow state standards and state tests. Private schools have more freedom to design their own curriculum, and many offer strong arts programs, AP or IB courses and college counseling. Many public high schools also offer AP, IB and gifted programs, so compare the specific schools near you.

公立学校遵循州的教学标准和统一考试；私立学校课程设置更灵活，很多提供艺术特长、AP或IB课程和升学辅导。不少公立高中也提供AP、IB和资优课程，建议具体比较你附近的学校。

Religion / 宗教

Public schools cannot teach religion. Families who want a faith-based education choose private schools, most of which are religiously affiliated. Many religious schools also accept students of other faiths.

公立学校不能进行宗教教育。希望孩子在有宗教氛围的学校就读，需要选择私立学校，私校中很大一部分有宗教背景，也接受其他信仰的学生。

Admissions and special education / 招生和特殊教育

Private schools can choose their students. Public schools must accept every child in their attendance zone and must provide special education services to students with disabilities.

私立学校可以挑选学生；公立学校必须接收学区内所有孩子，并依法为有特殊需要的学生提供特殊教育服务。

Visiting scholars and international students: check your children's insurance needs too. 访学留学保险“买大送小”优惠：泰安留学访学保险