public school

noun

1. (in the U.S.) a school that is maintained at public expense for the education of the children of a community or district and that constitutes a part of a system of free public education commonly including primary and secondary schools.
2. (in England) any of a number of endowed secondary boarding schools that prepare students chiefly for the universities or for public service.

public school

noun

1. (in England and Wales) a private independent fee-paying secondary school
2. (in the US) any school that is part of a free local educational system
3. in certin Canadian provinces, a public elementray school as distinguished from a separate school

Other Words From

• public-school adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of public school¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Eliasberg said public school teachers have strong 1st Amendment protections to share their political views online — expletives and all.

From Los Angeles Times

David Goldberg, California Teachers Assn. president, said the nation’s public schools face a critical moment — needing more funding for safe and stable learning environments, higher pay for teachers and more support for special needs students.

From Los Angeles Times

Under US federal law, public schools must enrol any student within their respective jurisdictions.

From BBC

My eldest child had the good fortune to be in a small program within her public school, open to all until the spaces were filled, that solved much of the differentiation problem.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Hosseini’s push for radical improvement also extended to a public school run by the university.

From New York Times