Public elementary schools are funded by taxes obtained locally as well as at the state and federal level. Public schools cannot charge tuition and are subject to budget shortfalls or windfalls, depending on the political climate. Private elementary schools receive their funding from other sources. Parents must pay tuition to enroll their children in private schools, but the schools also hold fundraisers. They can also receive private grants or get money from a sponsoring religious group.
There are several types of schools that are either considered public or private. Private elementary schools generally fit one of three types. The independent private elementary school is not-for-profit and cannot receive funds from or be governed by a religious organization. They are governed by an elected board of trustees. Parochial elementary schools are also not-for-profit schools, but they are affiliated with and receive funding from a religious group. Most private elementary schools are parochial schools. Proprietary elementary schools are independent schools but they operate for a profit and they are not governed by a board of trustees. Two other types of public schools exist besides the basic public school. A charter school receives funding from the government but also must raise funds privately. A magnet school is a competitive admission school that generally focuses on one area, such as science.
Private elementary school teachers are not always required to have certification from the state that they operate in. Teachers in private schools generally must have a degree in the area that they are teaching in as well as expertise. Public elementary school teachers must have certification from the state or be working towards getting it. Public elementary school curriculum must also meet standards and assessments set by the state that they are operating in. Private elementary schools may choose their curriculum and assessment methods, so the curriculum may be better or worse than the guidelines set by the state.
Private elementary schools are not required to accept every child, so they generally have an extensive admission process. Some private schools strive towards diversity, so they may choose students based on ethnicity along with GPA. Public schools, on the other hand, must accept all students. But if the school district you are in has a school choice policy, your child may be entered into a lottery for entry into your top school.