common school

American  

noun

1. a public school usually including both primary and secondary grades but sometimes primary grades alone.

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Etymology

Origin of common school

An Americanism dating back to 1650–60

Example Sentences

Among the common school names targeted are Jackson, founding father Thomas Jefferson, who owned slaves, and Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

From BBC • Aug. 13, 2024

When our common school system began, in the early 19th century, students actually went to school in the summer.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2023

The most common school choice program is vouchers, which are state-sponsored scholarships for private schools.

From Salon • Feb. 15, 2023

With growing school needs and flat or declining revenue, timber trust dollars have come to play a diminishing role in financing common school construction.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 21, 2021

In 1908 the common school fund approximated $3,786,830, of which amount the state paid $2,163,200 and about $1,010,680 was raised by local taxation.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 7 "Geoponici" to "Germany" by Various