private school

American  

noun

1. a school founded, conducted, and maintained by a private group rather than by the government, usually charging tuition and often following a particular philosophy, viewpoint, etc.

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private school British  

noun

1. a school under the financial and managerial control of a private body or charitable trust, accepting mostly fee-paying pupils

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Etymology

Origin of private school

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

My general criticism was this: The law requires private schools to provide an education “substantially equivalent” to public schools, and Haredi schools weren’t doing that.

From The Wall Street Journal

In 2025, Monmouthshire council said it believed it was the first county in the UK where all primary and secondary teachers in both state and private schools were advising against smartphones for children under 14.

From BBC

Many private schools impose strict rules around when and how social media can be used by the student body.

From Los Angeles Times

Student attendance at elite private schools like Yale varies significantly by family income, according to Opportunity Insights, a Harvard-based team of researchers.

From The Wall Street Journal

A private school which opened more than 100 years ago has announced it will close at the end of the academic year due to financial issues.

From BBC

Related Words

• parochial school
• preparatory school