private school

American  

noun

• private schools
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• private schools
  plural

Etymology

Origin of private school

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

private school

First, it explained the state’s statutory requirements for opening a private school, things like reporting the school’s name and address.

From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026

We have no business running a private school.

From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026

We used our names and news organization email addresses, following each state’s rules for starting private or microschools, a type of private school intended for just a few students.

From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026

At Shenandoah University, administrators a few years ago began asking students about ways to improve recruitment and retention at the 150-year-old private school in northern Virginia.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026

Up until sixth grade, he went to a private school a half hour away, in Philadelphia.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Related Words

• parochial school
• preparatory school