School districts are purposely created in order to govern both primary and secondary public schools. School districts are commonly operated in the United States where they are in charge in operating public schools. They are considered as a corporate organization with political power just like a city. School districts have direct power with regards to taxation in important areas of a town.

In the United States, most school districts serve for the public schools belonging to more than one town. Officials of a school district can be through an appointment by the government or through a vote. Selected officials of a school district include school board and board of trustees. The school board has special powers to conduct investigations and implement disciplinary actions of any employee or students who have seriously violated the district's rules and regulations.

The superintendent is appointed by the board of trustees based on the performance and experience in a government school. The superintendent serves as the chief executive of the district and takes charge in the daily operation of the district. It also includes other functions such as policy implementation and decision making.

Some states do not have school districts under their city government. In New York City, both independent and public school districts exist. Some countries formed central divisions which takes charge of other school districts in the country.

Based on the United State's census conducted in 2002, there are about 13,507 school districts under the government while a few belong to the independent school districts.

Such institutions play a vital role in terms of the economy and political aspects of a local government. When district schools are able to perform their jobs effectively, it is able to produce good students, tax revenue will increase because of increase in enrollments.

School districts require some additional infrastructures and resources in order to operate well. This includes medical facilities, school busses, laundries and many other needs. Aside from the funds from the government, some of the school districts ventures into some businesses to support its administrative costs. This is the reason why some of the prominent school districts operate television stations, clinics, recreational centers, libraries and many other form of business. In some states, they call the districts as school division wherein the funding for the education system directly comes from the government it belongs.

The education system follows certain standard terminologies. Elementary School will generally refer to students from kindergarten to grade five. Middle School caters to the education for grade six to eight. High School accepts students of grade nine and above. Some of the school system calls this as senior high school.

In addition, there are different names associated with school districts, depending on the location. To mention a few, the Unified School District covers both elementary and high school levels. The Central School District means that there is only one district responsible in administering all other districts in a country.

The Union School District, as the name implies, was established by more than one district. It is a conglomeration of several units working together for a common goal.

The Joint School District is one of the largest types of districts formed from two or more countries. This school district has representatives from the participating countries.

Other countries may have their own districts but the system differs from the pattern used in the United States. Many of the religious owned and private schools form their own district not under the government's control.

No matter what kind of school district they have, one thing is in common, and that is to provide a central body to administer the system of education in a certain state or country.