Abstract: A system and method for using schema attributes as meta-data is disclosed. A directory service is provided for use with a computer system or network to aid in storing and managing data or other information related to the system. A group of attributes having special names or meaning are provided and may be included in a class schema. If the meaning or use of a class changes after its creation, additional attributes may be added into the class schema. The directory service may also be configured to define or determine relationships between various object classes in a directory system via specially named relationship classes, wherein the relationships are defined or determined before any instances of the classes exist in the directory.