Elementary school A school classified as elementary by state and local practice and composed of any span of grades not above grade 8. A preschool or kindergarten school is included under this heading only if it is an integral part of an elementary school or a regularly est Elementary and secondary schools Includes only regular schools, that is, schools that are part of state and local school systems and also most private elementary and secondary schools, both religiously affiliated and nonsectarian. Full-time worker In educational institutions, an employee whose position requires being on the job on school days throughout the school year at least the number of hours the schools are in session; for higher education, a member of an educational institution's staff who i Public school or institution A school or institution controlled and operated by publicly elected or appointed officials and generally deriving its primary support from public funds. Postsecondary education The provision of formal instructional programs with a curriculum designed primarily for students who have completed the requirements for a high school diploma or equivalent. Part-time enrollment The number of students enrolled in higher education courses with a total credit load of less than 75 percent of the normal full-time credit load. 4-year institution An institution legally authorized to offer and offering at least a 4-year program of college-level studies wholly or principally creditable toward a bachelor's degree. Enrollment The number of students registered in a given school unit at a given time, generally in the fall of a year. Associate's degree A degree granted for the successful completion of at least 2 years (or the equivalent) of full-time college-level study. This term includes degrees granted in a cooperative or work-study program. Full-time enrollment The number of students enrolled in higher education courses with total credit load equal to at least 75 percent of the normal full-time course load.