Because private schools are often perceived to be more successful in teaching students, many reform proposals for public schools have looked to the private sector for models to emulate. This booklet contains national data that compare public and private schools along a number of important dimensions. The discussion begins with an examination of two fundamental differences between public and private schools: their sources of support and the role of choice in determining where students go to school. Next is a description of the characteristics of teachers and students and how they differ in the public and private sectors. Following that is a comparison of selected aspects of the organization and management of public and private schools, including school and class size and who makes policy decisions for the school and classroom. Next, the varying circumstances under which teaching and learning take place in public and private schools (the school climate) are examined. The final sections describe differences in academic programs and support services. Although there is much variation within each sector, aggregate data show that public school students present their schools with greater challenges than do their private school counterparts. Overall, teachers in public schools are more likely than their private school counterparts to have certain attributes that are thought to contribute to effective teaching. Public school teachers earn more and receive more benefits. Despite poorer pay, private school teachers as a group are more satisfied than public school teachers with their jobs. Finally, private school students take more advanced courses than do public high school students. Eight figures and 16 tables are included. (Contains 25 references). (LMI)