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

A Christian private school has closed its doors, claiming changes in VAT rules has made its financial situation "untenable".

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Some of those luxuries then become fixed expenses that are hard to unwind — a bigger house, a more expensive car, private school.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

He also graduated from Stanford and now is president of the private school in Salinas, Calif., that he and his son attended.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

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 • Feb. 13, 2026

Dunston University was a private school in Oklahoma, with a top-notch baseball program and one of the nation’s best liberal arts schools.

From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith

Related Words

• parochial school
• preparatory school