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

“It’s where I am in my spiritual life,” the 63-year-old Fenton said, referring to joining a private school that will allow him to pass along his belief in God.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 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

Families are turning to consultants like Shanay Howard, a Virginia private school counselor with a sideline as a “reclass specialist.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

A former private school teacher has been struck off after it was found he lied about having a degree from the University of Cambridge and serving as a magistrate.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

So his parents took him out of public school and, at the beginning of seventh grade, sent him to Lakeside, a private school that catered to Seattle’s elite families.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

• parochial school
• preparatory school