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.