private school

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

noun

1. a school under the financial and managerial control of a private body or charitable trust, accepting mostly fee-paying pupils

Word History and Origins

Origin of private school¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

They and their families stuck it out, ignoring people telling them to go to a flashy private school.

From Los Angeles Times

Children with complex needs are being sent to private schools up to 200 miles away from home because there is not enough capacity in the state system, a BBC investigation has found.

From BBC

Project 2025 strongly emphasizes giving parents the right to use their share of public education funds to subsidize private school tuition, a goal that Trump supported in his first administration.

From Los Angeles Times

Public school supporters have to be thrilled with what Simi Valley’s football team has accomplished this season in games against private schools.

From Los Angeles Times

However it "basically stopped him in his tracks in Zimbabwe" as the private schools were his harvesting ground, he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• parochial school
• preparatory school