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

For the family earning $400,000 with two kids in private school and a mortgage, it might be the largest financial goal they have.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

I support parents who choose private school or homeschooling for their kids.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

All six books in her Boys of Tommen series - which follow a group of teenagers navigating love, friendship and trauma at a private school - feature on the list.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

For data purposes, a home school is defined as a private school with fewer than six students.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Of course she went to a private school, the boy thought.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

Related Words

• parochial school
• preparatory school