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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of private school

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Gu grew up with a foot firmly in both worlds, spending her summers in Beijing and the rest of her term at a private school in San Francisco.

From BBC

California students in some places can attend charter schools if they clear the waiting list, but they have no private school choice.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many private schools have gone further, pressuring parents to forbid the apps at all until a certain age and to tightly control use thereafter.

From Los Angeles Times

Students on average will receive about $10,500 for private school tuition or other education expenses this autumn, while homeschoolers are eligible for $2,000.

From The Wall Street Journal

The student at the Ethel Walker School also has researched and picked a stock for the Simsbury, Conn., private school’s investment portfolio.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• parochial school
• preparatory school