Book excerpt: This statistical publication is based upon data collected in 1968-69 in order to establish a universe of public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools. We are issuing this publication in order to answer consistently the needs of many agencies and organizations which request data on individual public and nonpublic schools. These requests vary from presidential task forces and congressional committees to business organizations and individuals making educational projections, advising on school facilities, and otherwise interested in improving American education. There is no other collective source of this information in such detail. For their fine cooperation in supplying the basic information included in the tables presented herein, we are indebted to State and local public school officials and nonpublic school administrators in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and outlying areas.