parochial school

American  

noun

1. a primary or secondary private school supervised by a religious organization, especially a Roman Catholic day school affiliated with a parish or a holy order.

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Etymology

Origin of parochial school

First recorded in 1745–55

Example Sentences

Negro has twice been named national coach of the year by Max Preps, leading the Bellflower parochial school to a record of 177-30 in 16 seasons, winning four CIF State championships and two national titles.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

I was born into the Catholic faith, but was not enrolled in parochial school.

From Salon • Dec. 29, 2022

Roughly 8 percent chose a school “outside the United States,” while 7 percent switched to a private or parochial school and 2 percent opted for home schooling.

From Washington Post • Dec. 5, 2022

The eldest child in a large Irish Catholic family, Aylward grew up on Capitol Hill and discovered acting early, in parochial school.

From Seattle Times • May 19, 2022

Every Orthodox Jew sent his male children to a yeshiva, a Jewish parochial school, where they studied from eight or nine in the morning to four or five in the evening.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok