1, official school: a school directly established and managed by the imperial court or local government to train administrative officials and cultural talents needed by the country. The official school system gradually formed and improved after the Zhou Dynasty, such as imperial academy and imperial academy established by the central government, and local state and county schools.

2. Private schools: private or family-run teaching institutions, especially in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Due to the decline of official schools and the rise of private schools, private school teaching initiated by Confucius is the most representative example. Private schools are not directly under the jurisdiction of the government, and their teaching contents are diverse, with more emphasis on academic freedom and personalized education.

3. Academy: Originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Song and Ming Dynasties, it is an important part of folk education. The academy focuses on the study of Confucian classics and Neo-Confucianism, emphasizing academic discussion and self-cultivation, forming a unique education and academic research system. Academies are established by private or local people's donations, usually supported and funded by the government, but they are relatively independent in management and teaching.