Private does not mean (36) . But it does mean (37) . Public schools in the US are paid for by money from everyone; private schools are not. Parents who send their children to private schools must pay to do so.
Parents may have enough money to pay for private school. But these schools do not have to accept their children. Most private schools accept only children who are (38) doing well in school and are able to work quietly. Some take only boys or only girls. Classes are often (39) and less (40) than classes in public schools. This gives children a (41) to learn more of what their teachers are trying to teach them.
Public schools don not teach religion. So some parents choose private (42) schools for their children. These schools each belong to a church. They give lessons about that religion. They give lessons in all the usual school (43) as well.
(44) . At public schools, students wear what they want. They often dress in bright colors and tennis shoes. (45) .
Only about 17 per cent of American children are sent to private schools. Most Americans really believe in public education. They want their children to go to schools that are free and are open to all. (46)