What It Means
A private school is a school that isn't supported mainly by public funds. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) counts a school as private when it gives classroom instruction in one or more of grades K to 12, or ungraded levels like them, and has at least one teacher. NCES groups private schools as Catholic, other religious or nonsectarian.
Try It: Which Kind of Private School Is It?
Pick a description to see how NCES would group the school in its private school counts.
Catholic
Other religious
Nonsectarian
Not a private school in NCES's count
NCES puts conservative Christian schools and religious schools without a denomination in this group.
Schools tied to other denominations are counted here too.
NCES leaves out groups that support homeschooling without classroom instruction.
How Parents Say It
- "We're touring two private schools this fall."
- "Is the tuition worth it for kindergarten?"
- "She goes to the Catholic school by the church."
The Breakdown
How NCES groups private schools
| Group | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Catholic | Schools affiliated with the Catholic Church |
| Other religious | Conservative Christian schools, schools tied to other denominations, and religious schools tied to none |
| Nonsectarian | Schools with no religious affiliation |
By stage. A private school may cover any part of K to 12, from one grade to all thirteen, so check where a school ends before you enroll a young child. Many families look at private options at kindergarten, at the move to middle school and before high school. Buhata's suggestion: start a year before the grade you're aiming for, since applications, visits and financial aid forms take time.
When to talk to the school or district. If your child has an IEPIEPAn IEP (Individualized Education Program) is the written plan a public school makes for a child who qualifies for special education under IDEA. See more, a 504 plan504 planA school's plan of supports for a student whose disability substantially limits a major life activity, under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. See more or a suspected disability, ask your public schoolPublic schoolA school run by publicly elected or appointed officials and paid for mainly with public money, including district, charter and magnet schools. See more district before you choose a private school how special education works for a child the family places in a private school, and ask the private school what support it offers.
Good to Know
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Non-Public Education says private schools are regulated mainly by states and localities, and its "State Regulation of Private and Home Schools" guide gives a short summary of the rules in each state. The rules differ from state to state, so read your state's entry and ask the school how it meets them. Ask each school for its full yearly cost in writing, including any fees beyond tuition.
FAQ
What's the difference between a private school and a public school?
A private school isn't supported mainly by public funds, per NCES, so ask each school what it charges and how it admits students. Public schools, including charterCharter schoolA tuition-free public school run under a charter, a contract with a state, district or other authorizer, that families choose rather than being assigned to. See more and magnet schoolsMagnet schoolA public school with a special theme or teaching approach, such as science or the arts, built to draw students from across a district and from different backgrounds. See more, are funded with public money.
Is a homeschool group a private school?
Not in NCES's private school counts, which leave out organizations that support homeschooling without giving classroom instruction. Your state's rules decide how a homeschool is treated legally.
Who regulates private schools?
Mainly your state and local government, according to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Non-Public Education, which keeps a state-by-state summary of the rules.
Do It in Buhata
Calendar, Countdown, Budget
Add each private school's open house and application deadline to your Buhata Calendar, with a Countdown to the earliest deadline.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Charter school
A tuition-free public school run under a charter, a contract with a state, district or other authorizer, that families choose rather than being assigned to.
- Magnet school
A public school with a special theme or teaching approach, such as science or the arts, built to draw students from across a district and from different backgrounds.
- Montessori school
A public or private school using Maria Montessori's method: mixed-age classes, Montessori materials, child-chosen work and long stretches of uninterrupted work time.
- Public school
A school run by publicly elected or appointed officials and paid for mainly with public money, including district, charter and magnet schools.
Sources
National Center for Education Statistics, "Private School Universe Survey (PSS): Overview"; National Center for Education Statistics, The Condition of Education, "Private School Enrollment"; NCES, Condition of Education glossary, "Private school"; U.S. Department of Education, Office of Non-Public Education, "Frequently Asked Questions: Non-Public Education"; U.S. Department of Education, "State Regulation of Private Schools"
- nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss
- nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cgc/private-school-enrollment
- nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/glossary#privateschool
- www.ed.gov/birth-grade-12-education/education-choice/frequently-asked-questions-non-public-education
- www2.ed.gov/admins/comm/choice/regprivschl/regprivschl.pdf
Last updated .