An independent school is a type of private school governed by an independent board of trustees rather than by a religious organization, parent group, or for-profit entity. The term "independent" refers to governance structure—these schools are self-governing institutions accountable to their boards, which typically include alumni, parents, community members, and education professionals.

Independent schools are almost always nonprofit, tuition-based institutions. Many are affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), which provides accreditation, professional development, and best practice resources. Independent schools often emphasize college preparatory curricula, small class sizes, experienced faculty, extensive extracurricular programs, and progressive educational philosophies, though approaches vary widely.

NAIS member schools enroll approximately 760,000 students across 1,600+ schools in the U.S. Median tuition for NAIS day schools exceeds $30,000 annually, with many providing substantial financial aid—average NAIS school allocates about 17% of tuition revenue to financial assistance. Independent schools pride themselves on selectivity, academic rigor, and personalized attention.

For independent school leaders, retention is critical given high tuition dependence. NAIS data shows median attrition rates of 7.8%, with elementary/middle schools experiencing higher rates (10.3%) than secondary schools. Each family that leaves represents significant revenue loss—at $30,000+ tuition, losing just 10 students equals $300,000 annually. Early warning systems that identify dissatisfied families before they withdraw are increasingly essential as competition for tuition-paying families intensifies.