The United States has one of the largest and most diverse education systems in the world. With more than a million students enrolled annually, there are significant numbers of schools at various levels and types.
As of 2026, the landscape of education is changing rapidly, with new statistics and trends emerging each year. This article will provide you with an in-depth look at how many schools are in the U.S., breaking down the numbers by school type, education level, and state distribution.
Top Picks: How Many Schools In The USA
When we talk about the total number of schools in the United States, the numbers can vary depending on how you define a “school.”
Broadly, there are three major types of schools in the U.S.: public, private, and charter schools. In total, the number of schools across these categories is approximately 115,000 as of 2026.
This number is split across a wide range of school types, from the smallest rural schools to the largest urban school districts. Let’s explore these categories further.
Total Number of Schools
The total number of schools in the U.S. is made up of many different types of schools at all levels of education. Schools can be divided into K-12 schools, which serve kindergarten through 12th grade.
There are also schools that offer pre-kindergarten and post-secondary education, although they are not always included in the total number for K-12 education.
The number 115,000 includes traditional public schools, charter schools, and private schools that operate across the country. These schools collectively serve millions of students in every state and territory.
Breakdown Of School Types In the USA
The school system in the United States is made up of different types of schools, each serving different needs. Let’s take a look at the breakdown of the types of schools in the U.S. and how they contribute to the total number of schools.
| School Type | Number of Schools | % of Total Regular Schools |
|---|---|---|
| Total Regular Operating Schools | 88,835 | – |
| Prekindergarten | 1,160 | 1.3% |
| Elementary | 51,782 | 58.3% |
| Middle | 15,952 | 18% |
| High School | 17,579 | 19.8% |
| Secondary (grades 9–11) | 219 | 0.2% |
| Other and Ungraded | 2,143 | 2.4% |
Public Schools
Public schools are the backbone of the U.S. education system. They are publicly funded through federal, state, and local government taxes and are required to serve all students within a specific geographic area. Public schools can be large, with thousands of students in one district, or small, serving rural or less populated areas.
- The majority of schools in the U.S. are public schools, with an estimated 98,000+ public schools serving millions of students.
- These schools are administered by local school districts, which manage funding, staffing, and curriculum decisions.
- Public schools include traditional schools, magnet schools, technical schools, and special education schools.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are a subset of public schools, but they operate with more autonomy than traditional public schools.
Charter schools are funded by public money, but they are often run by independent organizations or nonprofit groups and have more flexibility in their curricula, hiring practices, and policies.
- As of 2026, there are over 8,000 charter schools in the United States, educating approximately 3.7 million students.
- Charter schools are designed to provide an alternative to traditional public schools, often focusing on specialized curriculums like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), arts, or even bilingual education.
- While charter schools are publicly funded, they are not required to follow all of the same regulations as traditional public schools.
Private Schools
Private schools are independent institutions that are funded through tuition paid by families and sometimes through private grants and donations.
These schools are not funded by the government, and they have more control over their operations, including curriculum, teaching methods, and staffing.
- The U.S. is home to over 29,000 private schools, including religious schools, independent schools, preparatory schools, and schools that focus on specialized programs like Montessori or Waldorf education.
- Private schools can range from small, independent schools in local communities to large, well-established schools with nationwide or even international recognition.
- While they are a smaller portion of the U.S. school landscape compared to public schools, private schools still serve a significant portion of the student population.
Distribution By Education Levels
The U.S. school system is divided into different levels, each serving different age groups. Schools are typically categorized into four major educational levels: preschool, elementary school, middle school, and high school.
Elementary Schools
Elementary schools serve the youngest students, typically from kindergarten through 5th or 6th grade. These schools provide the foundation for students’ academic journeys, teaching basic subjects such as reading, writing, math, and social studies.
- There are over 64,000 elementary schools across the U.S. These schools make up the largest portion of the overall school system.
- Most elementary schools are small to medium-sized, with class sizes varying depending on the area. In urban centers, elementary schools may have hundreds of students, while in rural areas, the numbers are much smaller.
- Elementary schools are integral to providing students with a strong academic foundation, and many communities rely heavily on these schools for early education.
Middle / Junior High Schools
Middle schools serve students between the elementary and high school levels, typically from 6th to 8th grade. These schools aim to bridge the gap between elementary school and high school, providing students with more complex subjects and beginning to prepare them for higher education.
- There are approximately 14,600 middle and junior high schools across the U.S.
- These schools are generally larger than elementary schools but smaller than high schools. They focus on subjects like science, social studies, mathematics, and language arts.
- Some middle schools are part of K-8 schools, while others may operate as separate institutions within a school district.
High Schools
High schools are the final stage of K-12 education, serving students in grades 9 through 12. High schools offer a more specialized curriculum and often prepare students for college or a career.
- In total, there are about 26,700 high schools in the U.S.
- High schools are typically larger than elementary and middle schools, with some schools serving thousands of students.
- High schools offer a wide variety of courses, including electives in arts, sports, technology, and vocational education, alongside core subjects like mathematics, science, and English.
K-12 Schools
Some schools operate as combined K-12 schools, meaning they serve students from kindergarten all the way through to 12th grade. These schools are less common, but they do exist, especially in small or rural districts.
- Approximately 11,500 K-12 schools operate across the U.S.
- These schools can be found in both public and private sectors, and they offer a continuous education experience from the youngest grade levels through to high school graduation.
Number Of School Districts And State Wise In The USA
School districts are the primary administrative units for public schools. Each district manages schools in a specific geographic area, and the number of districts varies by state.
School Districts
- As of 2026, there are approximately 13,000 school districts across the United States.
- Larger school districts, like those in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, serve hundreds of thousands of students, while smaller rural districts serve fewer students but manage multiple smaller schools.
- Some districts operate only one school, while others manage hundreds of schools.
State Wise Distribution
| State | Total Schools | Public Schools | Private Schools | Charter Schools | Special Education Schools | Title 1 Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 10,118 | 9,371 | 1,017 | 1,312 | 551 | 6,455 |
| Texas | 8,576 | 8,076 | 500 | 773 | 306 | 5,049 |
| Florida | 4,221 | 3,627 | 594 | 640 | 285 | 3,056 |
| New York | 4,765 | 3,262 | 1,503 | 210 | 310 | 4,089 |
| Georgia | 2,450 | 2,270 | 180 | 342 | 155 | 1,810 |
Comparison Of Public, Private, And Charter Schools
The U.S. has three main types of schools: public, private, and charter. Each serves a unique purpose and operates under different structures. Here’s a breakdown of how they compare:
| School Type | Approx. Number of Schools | Funding Type | Governance | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public | ~98,000+ | Government-funded | Local school districts | Largest |
| Charter | ~8,000+ | Government-funded | Independent or nonprofit organizations | Growing fast |
| Private | ~29,000+ | Tuition / Private funds | Independent or religious entities | Smaller but significant |
Public Schools
Public schools are by far the most common and serve the vast majority of students. They are funded by taxes and are governed by local school districts. Public schools are required by law to accept all students within their designated geographic area.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are also public schools, but they operate with more flexibility. They are independent in terms of curriculum and staffing but are still funded by taxpayer dollars. These schools offer more specialized programs and are growing in popularity across the U.S.
Private Schools
Private schools are funded through tuition payments made by families, and they are not required to follow the same regulations as public schools.
These schools often have specialized programs, religious affiliations, or unique curricula. Although private schools are less common than public schools, they serve a significant number of students.
FAQs
How many schools are currently operating in the U.S.?
There are approximately 115,000 schools in total, including public, private, and charter schools.
Which type of school is most common?
Public schools make up the largest portion of schools in the U.S., with over 98,000 schools.
How many school districts are there?
There are about 13,000 school districts across the country.
Do charter schools count as public schools?
Yes, charter schools are publicly funded but operate with more independence.
Are private schools growing in number?
Private schools are relatively stable in number, with over 29,000 schools across the U.S.