charity school

American  

noun

U.S. History.

1. an elementary school, usually funded by charitable persons or organizations, for those unable to pay: a forerunner of the public-school system.

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Etymology

Origin of charity school

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

Jane and Maria’s education consisted of a few years at a charity school, but both were avid readers and precocious writers.

From Washington Post • Oct. 25, 2022

Now in his mid-thirties, he runs a charity school.

From Reuters • Aug. 8, 2018

The University of Pennsylvania, as its website states, was established by evangelist George Whitefield as a “Philadelphia charity school that would double as a house of worship for his followers.”

From Washington Times • Feb. 24, 2018

She was also able to preserve catch-up contributions to retirement accounts for church, charity, school, and public employees.

From Slate • Dec. 20, 2017

The college was originally a charity school for the instruction of the Indians in the Christian religion, founded by Rev. Eleazer Wheelock.

From Famous American Statesmen by Bolton, Sarah Knowles