day school

American  

[dey skool] / ˈdeɪ ˌskul /

noun

1. a private school for students living outside the school (distinguished from boarding school).

   We are a co-ed boarding and day school for grades 9 to 12, on beautiful 200-acre grounds overlooking the lake.

2. a school for adults or mature students, held in the daytime (distinguished from night school).

   Our school board currently offers adults night school credits as well as a flexible day school program.

3. a usually independent school delivering alternative or specialized instruction throughout the regular school day, as opposed to only after school or on weekends.

   I attended Hebrew day school as a child, but now send my son to a public elementary school.

---

day school British  

noun

1. a private school taking day students only Compare boarding school

2. a school giving instruction during the daytime Compare night school

---

Etymology

Origin of day school

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

day school

An observant Jew who wrote in his memoir that he lives his faith “out loud,” Shapiro keeps kosher and attended, and then sent his four children to Jewish day school.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

The girls, ages 13 to 17, were tossed together because a juvenile-court judge sentenced them to a strict day school called Carroll Academy.

From New York Times ● Nov. 24, 2024

While a student at the elite private Jewish day school Milken, she played sports and danced competitively.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 7, 2024

At a local day school, the bird goes by Tom.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 29, 2023

Even on a calm day, school buses aren’t safe.

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith