The term public school has two different meanings. In the United States, as well as in Australia and Canada, a public school is a Federally funded school, administered to some extent by the government, and charge with educating all citizens. The public schools include primary and secondary schools, which citizens are required to attend for a certain number of years, as well as a group of public universities. In the United Kingdom, a public school is like a U.S. preparatory school: a private secondary boarding school. This article deals with some highlights in the history of the first?"the American version of the public school.

We like to think of our schools not only as centers of learning but also safe havens where are children are safe and well. Unfortunately, this does not always turn out to be the case.