Private school
Non-government schools funded by tuition, often with religious or specialized focus.
A private school, also known as an independent school, is a school that is not administered or funded by the government. Unlike public schools, private schools are not dependent upon national or local government for their financial endowment; they are funded in whole or in part by charging students tuition, though some students may receive scholarships. Private schools retain the right to select their students and typically have a board of governors that ensures independent operation. Roughly one in 10 U.S. families have chosen to enroll their children in private school for the past century.
- definition
- School not administered or funded by government
- funding_source
- Tuition fees, scholarships, private endowments
- us_enrollment_rate
- Roughly one in 10 U.S. families for past century
- australian_enrollment_share
- 30% primary, over 40% secondary students
- canadian_enrollment_share_1999
- 5.6%
- finnish_private_school_share_2018
- 3% basic education, 9% upper secondary
Lore & Background
Private schools operate independently of government administration and funding, though they may receive some state aid in certain countries like Australia. They are often governed by a board of governors and can be associated with religious denominations such as Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, or Judaism, though parochial schools are excluded if financially dependent on outside religious organizations. The term generally applies to primary and secondary education in the UK and Commonwealth countries, while in North America it covers pre-school through tertiary levels.
Reader's Guide
Private schools have a significant role in education systems worldwide, offering alternatives to public schooling. In Australia, they form a large sector with over 40% of secondary students enrolled, and the government provides funding on a sliding scale based on a School Resourcing Standard. In Canada, private schools have been controversial, with some alleging grade inflation. In Finland, private schools must receive a license and follow national curriculum to qualify for public funding. The existence of private schools reflects diverse educational philosophies, religious affiliations, and specialized needs, such as boarding schools, military academies, and schools for disabled children.
Did You Know?
- Roughly one in 10 U.S. families have chosen private school for their children for the past century.
- Australia has one of the most privatized education systems in the world, with 30% of primary and over 40% of secondary students in private schools.
- In Finland, private schools accounted for 3% of basic education institutions and 9% of upper secondary institutions in 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a private school?
A private school, sometimes called an independent school, is an educational institution that operates outside of government control and funding. It typically covers its costs by charging families tuition and may also offer scholarships to select students.
How do private schools get their money?
Rather than relying on taxpayer dollars, private schools primarily draw revenue from the tuition fees parents pay. Some also draw on private endowments or provide need-based scholarships to help selected students attend.
How common is private school enrollment in the United States?
Over the last century, roughly one out of every ten American families has opted to send their children to a private school. That share has remained fairly steady for a long stretch of time.
What sets private schools apart from public ones?
Private schools keep the freedom to choose which students they admit and are governed by their own board of directors rather than a government education department. They often carry a religious affiliation or a specialized academic focus that public schools generally do not offer.
How does private school participation compare across different countries?
In Australia, about 30% of primary students and over 40% of secondary students attend non-government schools, while in Canada the figure was around 5.6% as of 1999. Finland sits at the lower end, with roughly 3% of basic-education students and 9% of upper-secondary students in private institutions as of 2018.
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