A private school (also called independent school) is a school funded primarily through tuition, donations, and endowments rather than government funding. Private schools operate independently, setting their own curriculum, hiring practices, admissions policies, and governance structures without direct oversight from public education authorities, though many seek accreditation from independent accrediting bodies.

Private schools vary widely: religious schools (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Islamic), nonsectarian independent schools, boarding schools, Montessori schools, Waldorf schools, and schools focused on specific populations like students with learning differences. Tuition ranges dramatically from a few thousand dollars annually to $50,000+ for elite boarding schools. Many private schools offer financial aid to make education accessible to families across income levels.

As of recent data, roughly 5.7 million students attend approximately 34,000 private schools in the U.S., representing about 10% of K-12 enrollment. While private school enrollment has been relatively stable historically, recent trends show growth as families explore alternatives to traditional public schools, particularly following pandemic-era school closures.

For private school leaders, retention is critically important because tuition constitutes 70-80% of revenue. Average private school attrition rates range from 7.8-10.3% according to NAIS, with higher rates during transition years (elementary to middle, middle to high school). Each family lost represents $10,000-$30,000+ in annual revenue, making proactive retention strategies essential for financial sustainability.