Originally published in NAIS • April 20, 2016
More than 2,000 independent private schools across the United States provide high-quality education to more than 700,000 students from pre-K through high school.
Independent schools are close-knit communities that provide students with individualized attention. They challenge students to stretch their minds and go beyond academics to develop responsible, independent, and community-oriented students.
What makes independent schools independent? Independent schools are independent in:
- Philosophy: each is driven by a unique mission.
- The way they are managed and financed: each is governed by an independent board of trustees and each is primarily supported through tuition payments and charitable contributions.
They are accountable to their communities and are accredited by state-approved accrediting bodies.
Independent schools come in all shapes and sizes. Independent schools include elementary and secondary schools; day and boarding schools; single-sex and coeducational schools. Some independent schools are religiously affiliated and others are not. They vary in size and educational approach.