7 Cool Facts About Traditional Public Schools In America

Every community has a public school, and strong, vibrant traditional public schools are an essential component to the school choice movement. Here are seven interesting facts about traditional public schools in America.

1. Throw up the hats: 3 million students will graduate from America's traditional public schools in 2013-2014.

2. More options than ever: 21 states require school districts to accept students from outside their district, through a policy called inter district school choice.

3. Personalized learning: in 2013, the average class size for public schools is 15 students to one teacher, lower than the 16:1 ratio in 2000.

4. Educating leaders: some of America's best-loved presidents, from Dwight Eisenhower and Harry Truman to Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, attended public schools. One president, Lyndon B. Johnson, was even a public school teacher before entering politics.

5. State-led: some of the most important agencies responsible for public education are state education departments and local school boards. In 14 states, the State Schools Chief is a statewide elected position.

6. Rich in history: the oldest public school in the United States is older than…the United States. Boston Latin School opened in 1635.

7. Choice yields success: a growing number of school districts in cities like Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, and Nashville, are embracing public school choice as a way to increase student learning and boost parental involvement.