Free Schools

Published January 11, 2009
There are only a few free private schools in the United States. Most of them were founded by visionary businessmen who believed that children from working class and poor families should have the same educational advantages as children from families with money.
 
 
De Marillac Middle School, San Francisco, CA
De Marillac is an example of the very best sort of educational initiative sponsored by the Roman Catholic Church. Established by Daughters of Charity and De La Salle Christian Brothers the school provides tuition free schooling for middle school age children in one of San Francisco's poorest neighborhoods.
 
Epiphany School, Dorchester, MA
Like De Marillac on the west coast, Epiphany serves middle school age children from Boston neighborhoods. This is a ministry of the Episcopal Church.

The Gilbert School, Winsted, CT
 William H. Gilbert founded the school which bears his name in 1895. The Gilbert School serves the residents of Winchester and Hartland, Connecticut.
 
Girard College, Philadelphia, PA
Stephen Girard was one of the richest men in America when he founded Girard College. The school is unique in that all students board at the school from 1st grade through 12th. For free.
 
The Glenwood School, Glenwood, IL
Established in 1887 The Glenwood school operates day and residential programs for disadvantaged children. Basically you pay what you can afford to attend Glenwood.
 
Milton Hershey School, Hershey, PA
Yes, that Hershey. The founder of the chocolate company which bears his name also established a school in 1909. The Milton Hershey School provides tuition education for children from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
 
Regis High School, New York, NY
Regis was established in 1914 by an anonymous benefactor. It educates boys from 9th through 12th grade in the Jesuit tradition. This is a highly competitive school.
 
If you are reading this article, chances are you are doing so from the comfort of your own home. Why not be proactive in letting others know about these wonderful free schools? You also can probably afford to send any or all of these schools a gift. Keep the vision of Stephen Girard and Milton Hershey alive by supporting schools like these. Your generosity can be a positive, life changing force.

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About Schools

Associations

National, state and regional association of private schools

  • National Associations
    As you research schools, check the national and state associations. Is the school you are considering a member? If not, why not?
  • Regional Associations
    Some states do not have their own private school associations. Schools band together across state lines forming regional associations. These associations have the same purpose as state associations. More here.
  • State Associations
    Do the schools you are researching belong to state independent school associations? If not, find out why not!

Directories

Guides and web sites with lists of schools

  • Directories
    A list of directories of private and independent schools.
  • Guides To Private Schools
    Do you prefer to peruse a book rather than going online to find private schools? If so, there are some excellent guides to private schools available.

Kinds of Schools

Various kinds of schools

  • Alternative Schools
    Sometimes a regular school is not the right fit for a child. Perhaps she needs an alternative school.
  • Classical Christian Schools
    Classical Christian schools combine strict adherence to Christian beliefs with classical principles of education.
  • Semester Schools
    A semester school allows you to experience new surroundings, new environments, different ways of life and much more.
  • Hockey Schools
    Got an aspiring hockey player in your family? Many American private schools enjoy a great reputation for excellent hockey teams as well as superb academics.
  • Progressive Schools
    Progressive schools have been around since the early 1900's. Some educators think that progressives are rebels against traditional rote learning. The progressive educators like to think of themselves as reformers. The truth is somewhere in the middle.
  • 5 Clues That It Might Not Really Be Montessori School
    Of the approximately 8,000 Montessori schools in the U.S. only 1,100 schools are members of the American Montessori Society. Does this matter? What else should you look for to determine if a Montessori school is the real thing?
  • International Schools
    Sending your children to an international school might make sense if you plan on being in the U.S. only for a few years.
  • Lab Schools
    What is a lab school? It's a K-12 school or school with some variation of those grades which is operated by a university or college.
  • Military Schools
    Military schools offer structure and discipline as well as a top-notch education.
  • Montessori Schools
    Montessori schools are popular world-wide with parents of children in the primary grades.
  • The Oldest Schools
    The oldest American private school is Collegiate School in Manhattan founded in 1628.
  • Religious Schools
    Religion is important to you. You want your children to be educated in a school where your religion matters.
  • Schools For The Arts
    Schools for the artistically gifted child are in short supply.
  • The PG Year
    A PG or Post Graduate year offers time to mature and time to perfect a sport or other interests.
  • Special Needs Schools
    Do you think your son has a learning disability? Not sure what to do? A special needs school might be the way to go.
  • Waldorf Schools
    Waldorf schools offer a well thought out approach to K-12 education.

Locations

Schools in major cities

  • Boston Area Schools
    The metropolitan Boston area offers a wide range of academic and cultural activities. Just as impressive is the area's selection of private schools.
  • Litchfield County Schools
    Litchfield County, Connecticut, is home to a couple of dozen excellent schools catering to just about every need. The setting about 90 miles north of New York City is convenient to one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.
  • Seattle Area Schools
    The Seattle area is home to many fine private schools as well as to Microsoft and Boeing.

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