Public schools and districts include different types of schools that serve pre-K-12 students. These schools report to the North Carolina State Board of Education, which sets policy and general procedures for public school systems across the state. These policies include teacher pay and qualifications, course content, testing requirements and manages state education funds.

Charter schools operate in a model that that makes them unique to public and private schools. While charter schools receive government funding, they also exist independently from their local public school system and subsequent regulations. They are open for all students to enroll and are tuition free. Another way to think about charter schools are public schools of choice.