Technology in Private Schools 2025: Trends, Tools & Best Practices

What Is an Independent School?

In the landscape of U.S. K-12 education, the term independent school is often used alongside, and sometimes interchangeably with, private school. Yet, for parents, students and educators seeking clarity in 2025, it’s useful to distinguish what sets an independent school apart and why that matters.

Defining the Term

At its core, an independent school is a private, non-government school that is self-governing and self-funding. According to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), independent schools “provide students with individualized attention … are independent in governance and finance.”
More specifically:

• Governance: Independent schools are governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees or governors, rather than by a church diocese, public school district, state agency, or for-profit entity.

• Finance: They are financially independent of public funding, relying primarily on tuition, gifts/endowments and charitable contributions, giving them freedom in program design and operations.

• Mission-driven: Independent schools typically follow their own mission, curricular design and admission policies rather than public-school or diocesan mandates.

In short, while all independent schools are private schools, not all private schools are independent in this specific sense. This distinction helps families understand what they are choosing.

Why the Distinction Matters

For many parents and educators, what sets an independent school apart is the increased flexibility in curriculum, staffing, facilities and culture. For instance:

In a world where educational options continue to expand and evolve, many families are asking: what exactly is a “private school”? This article defines the term, explains how private schools operate, explores current data and trends through 2025, and offers guidance for parents and students trying to decide whether a private school is the right choice.

1. Defining a Private School

At its core, a private school is a non-public K-12 educational institution that is operated independently of the government’s direct management of public school systems. In the United States, private schools are typically funded through tuition payments, private contributions and endowments, rather than relying primarily on local property taxes and state funding that support public schools. They may be religious or non-sectarian, single-gender or co-educational, day schools or boarding schools.

Unlike public schools, which must admit all students within a district, comply with state board regulations, and offer tuition-free education, private schools often set their own admissions criteria, policies and fee structures. Nonetheless, many private schools still adhere to state accreditation requirements or national independent-school accreditation standards.

2. Key Features of Private Schools

When considering private education, families should know several distinguishing features:

• Tuition and fees: Private schools charge tuition. According to recent data, average U.S. private K-12 tuition in the 2020-21 school year was approximately $12,790.More recent median estimates suggest private elementary tuition

Financial Aid for Community College: What Private-School Families Need to Know

For families coming from a private-school background, entering the world of community-college financial aid can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. This article, aimed at private-school parents, students and educators, explains how financial aid for community college works in 2025, what makes it different from private-school tuition assistance, and what you should plan for.

1. Why this matters for private-school families

Many private-school families assume that their financial-aid experience at the K–12 level mirrors what happens when their student goes to a two-year institution. But community colleges operate under different metrics, funding streams and expectations. Recognizing those differences is crucial if you’re considering a two-year college for your student.

Key distinctions

• Private K-12 schools award tuition assistance based on cost and demonstrated need using proprietary formulas.

• Community colleges rely heavily on federal and state financial-aid programs such as the Federal Pell Grant, which are need-based and standardized.

• If you’ve paid high private-school tuition for one or more children, you may worry: will that reduce your ability to get aid when your child enrolls at a community college? Short answer: yes, it can affect your calculations, but often in less obvious ways (see Section 4).

2. How financial aid at a community college works in 2025

My Child Has Been Expelled for Smoking Pot: A 2025 Update for Parents, Educators, and Students

Facing an expulsion notice because your child was caught smoking marijuana (pot) is deeply unsettling. In 2025, public expectations, legal frameworks, and school policies have evolved—but the core challenge remains: balancing safety and accountability with care, rehabilitation, and a pathway back to education. This article updates the landscape, offers expert insight, and helps you chart a course forward.

1. The Context in 2025: What the Data Tells Us

Trends in adolescent cannabis use

• According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, roughly 6 percent of adolescents aged 12–17 reported past-month marijuana use, with no significant change from 2021 levels.

• In 2024, 25.8 percent of 12th graders reported cannabis use in the past 12 months—down from 29 percent in 2023.National Institute on Drug Abuse

• Meta-analysis of 63 studies (nearly 440,000 youths) links adolescent cannabis use with lower grades, higher dropout risk, and decreased rates of college attainment.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov

While the downward trend in youth marijuana use continues, administrators and parents cannot shrug off incidents as isolated—they remain serious, especially in school settings.

Legal and policy shifts

• In 2025, states are beginning to adopt rehabilitative expulsion policies. For example, California’s proposed AB 1230 would require school districts to create individualized