Schools are organized institutions designed to teach children and young adults. The word “school” comes from the Greek σχολή (scholē), meaning “leisure, discourse, or learning”. A school may be an educational institution, a part of an educational system, or a physical facility where teaching and learning take place. In most countries, schools are attended by children and young people between the ages of six and eighteen. Some countries have compulsory education up to a certain age, while others have voluntary schooling.
A school typically has several classrooms, in which lessons take place; a library or other resource center; offices for the administration and staff; and possibly other specialist rooms such as art studios, music rooms, science laboratories etc. Larger schools may also have sports facilities such as gymnasiums or playgrounds. The curriculum of a school is decided by the governing body (usually consisting of teachers, parents and representatives of the local community) and is implemented by the head teacher with the help of other teachers.
There are many different types of schools catering to different needs:
* Traditional academic schools prepare students for further education at college or university level.
* Technical and vocational schools provide training in specific skills required for particular careers such as engineering, catering or hairdressing.
* Military academies provide training for careers in the armed forces.
* Religious schools offer instruction in accordance with the teachings of their particular faith; examples include Catholic schools, Jewish day schools and Islamic madrasahs .
* alternative Schools may follow non-traditional curricula or pedagogies , cater to special needs students ,or be designed for gifted students .
The first recorded use of the word “school” dates back to circa 1400 AD when it referred to a group of scholars attached to a church or monastery who studied together under someone they called their “master”. This type of school was known as a grammar schooland its primary purpose was to prepare boys (and occasionally girls) for university study . In England , during medieval times , there were seven main types of Grammar School: song school s,, chantry school s,, cathedral school s,, preceptory school s,, monastic school s,, town grammar school s,, free grammar school s,. By 1600 AD there were also private pay-to-attend academies run by individual scholars – often ex-grammar school masters – which provided advanced instruction in specific areas such as languages or mathematics . These would eventually give rise to our modern day colleges and universities . It wasn’t until after the Industrial Revolution that state-funded education became widely available in Europe and North America ; before that time only wealthy families could afford to send their children to school . Compulsory education laws passed in various countries during the 19th century helped increase attendance rates at both elementary level AND secondary level schooling . Modern day schooling generally consists Primary Education lasting 6–7 years followed by Secondary Education which usually lasts 3–5 years depending on the country . In some cases pupils may attend additional classes outside these hours – for example religious instruction or sports coaching – but this is not usually mandatory . There are also various types involving different age groups being taught together in one class , such as Montessori Schools , Reggio Emilia approach preschools , Infant schools , Junior Schools etc., but again this varies from country to country