The A to Z of Private Schools in 2025

So Many Choices

(Updated for 2025)

Choosing a private school for your child is one of the most significant decisions a family can make. The landscape of private education in the United States is changing—tuition levels are shifting, enrollment dynamics are evolving, and new programs and policies are influencing how families select schools. This article refreshes our earlier take with 2025 data, expert commentary, and real-world examples to help parents, students, and educators navigate “so many choices.”

1. The Big Picture: Tuition, Enrollment & Choice

Tuition Trends

In 2025, the cost of attending a private K-12 school remains highly variable. According to PrivateSchoolReview’s most recent figures, the national average private school tuition is about $14,999 per year for the 2025-26 school year, with elementary tuition averaging approximately $14,018, and high school tuition around $17,954.

Other sources point to a somewhat lower average—roughly $12,790 nationally—though with wide variability by region and type of school.
For example, in California the average private school tuition in 2025 is reported at $17,931 per year, with elementary at $17,293 and high school at $23,273. Private School Review

When boarding schools or highly selective independent schools come into play, costs can be far higher—day school peers report tuition above $30,000 in many cases, and boarding campuses commonly charge $55,000 to $70,000 + per year. Coursmos

Enrollment Trends

Enrollment growth in the private school sector continues, but the pace

Technology in Private Schools: 2025 Insights

In 2025, technology in private schools is no longer simply an add-on—it is central to institutional strategy, pedagogy, campus operations and student wellbeing. For families, educators and administrators considering or working in private school contexts, understanding how technology is being deployed, regulated and leveraged provides critical insight. This article offers an updated look at technology in private schools—drawing on recent data, expert commentary, best practices and real-world examples of innovation and challenge.

The Landscape: Private Schools and Technology

Private schools in the U.S. enroll approximately 5.47 million students, representing roughly 10 per cent of K–12 enrolment.The sector comprises around 29,730 schools nationwide.
As private schools contend with rising tuition, tight budgets (industry revenue estimated at ~$79.3 billion in 2025) and growing competition, technology is rapidly seen as a differentiator.

At the same time, technology in private schools means more than devices—it means orchestration of infrastructure, data governance, pedagogy, student support and digital citizenship. Recent research shows that 59 per cent of independent and private K–12 schools are exploring generative-AI or adaptive-learning tools in some form.
And according to an EdTech Magazine article, major concerns for schools include student data privacy, the use of generative AI, and school-safety technology.

In short, the role of technology in private schools in 2025 is far more strategic than it has been in the past.

Why It Matters for Families and Educators

For prospective parents and students, understanding how a

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:

What Is a Private School? An Updated Guide for 2025

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