Private Education in the United States

I

Introduction

Private Education in the United States, programs of instruction in the United States that are created, controlled, operated, and principally financed by private individuals and groups rather than by governments. About 11 percent of American elementary and secondary school (high school) students attend private schools, and 24 percent of all elementary and secondary schools in the United States are private. Private education is also offered at many American preschools as well as at many colleges, universities, and technical institutes.

Unlike public elementary and secondary schools, which are free, nearly all private schools charge some form of tuition. The amount of private school tuition varies widely according to the type of school and the level of education offered. Although the cost of private education is beyond the reach of many American families, most private schools offer some form of financial aid to low-income applicants. In addition to revenue generated by tuition payments, private schools are supported mainly by funds from other private sources, such as religious organizations, endowments, grants, and charitable donations.

This article focuses on American private education at the elementary and secondary levels. For information about private higher education in the United States, see Colleges and Universities: Independent Colleges and Universities.

II

Types of Private Schools

Private schools in the United States may be broadly classified as either religious or nonsectarian (nonreligious) institutions. The most common types of religious schools in the United States are supported by various branches of the Catholic Church. Some private schools are known as boarding schools because they offer lodging to students in addition to academic instruction. Private schools that do not offer lodging are often called day schools. Private schools that focus on academic preparation for college are sometimes called preparatory schools or prep schools. Both religious and nonsectarian private schools may feature other distinguishing characteristics, such as single-sex enrollment or residential facilities.

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The term independent school refers to any private school that is independently governed by a board of trustees, rather than by a church or religious organization. Independent schools may have a religious or nonsectarian orientation. They are financed primarily by tuition, fees, charitable contributions, and income from investments, rather than by tax or church funds. The main organization representing independent schools in the United States is the National Association of Independent Schools.

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Religious Schools

Approximately 85 percent of all private school students attend schools affiliated with religious organizations, and about 50 percent of all private school students attend Catholic schools. However, private religious schools in the United States encompass a remarkable diversity of religious affiliations, educational objectives, and curriculums. Some religiously affiliated schools operate under the principle that religious instruction should be a key element in the daily education of children. Other schools attempt to provide some religious content but emphasize traditional academics. Many private religious schools primarily strive to offer an alternative to the relatively secular (nonreligious) spirit of public schools.

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1

Catholic Schools

The majority of Catholic schools are parochial schools, which are supported and controlled by individual parishes (local administrative units of the Roman Catholic Church). Most Catholic parochial schools provide only elementary level instruction. Aside from Catholic parochial schools, entire systems of schools are operated by Catholic dioceses (large districts under the jurisdiction of a bishop). These school systems are generally known as diocesan schools. The organization of these institutions often has features that resemble those of large public school systems, such as a district superintendent and a central administration. Tuition at Catholic parochial and diocesan schools is generally low compared to other private schools because parishes and dioceses subsidize part of school expenses.

Other Catholic schools are controlled by independent religious orders of the Catholic Church, such as the Jesuits, Benedictines, and Christian Brothers (see Brothers of the Christian Schools). These schools usually offer only high school level instruction, and their academic programs are typically more demanding than either parochial or diocesan schools. They also often charge higher tuition than parochial or diocesan schools because they receive less in church subsidies. The National Catholic Educational Association is the largest national group representing Catholic schools in the United States.

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