EdTech & Innovation

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

How Private Schools Are Setting Up AI & Technology Competency in Students: Not Just Tools, But Skills

In 2025, the conversation in private education has shifted—from simply giving students access to new tools, to equipping them with deeper technology and AI competency. Schools are recognising that knowing how to use AI tools is no longer sufficient: students need understanding, ethics, thinking skills and adaptability. Below we examine how private schools are defining and building technology competency, with fresh examples, frameworks, and commentary from experts.

What Is Technology & AI Competency?

AI competency involves more than being able to operate software or digital tools. It typically includes:

• AI literacy and understanding (what AI is, how it works, where it succeeds or fails)

• Ethical awareness (bias, privacy, responsible use)

• Critical thinking & evaluation of AI outputs

• Prompt-engineering or interaction with generative tools

• Adaptation & lifelong learning — ability to learn new tools or adapt as technologies change

• Soft skills — collaboration, creativity, resilience, communication, problem-solving in a tech context

Schools that push for technology competency aim to balance use of tools with skills about the tools.

Why Private Schools Are Leading (or Pioneering) This Shift

Private schools often have more flexibility in curriculum design, smaller class sizes, and resources

Technology in Private Schools: 2025 Insights

Introduction

Over the last decade, private schools have become incubators for educational innovation, and in 2025, technology sits at the center of that evolution. From artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom to smart campuses and digital wellness policies, private schools are blending tradition with cutting-edge tools. For families weighing the value of private education, understanding how these institutions deploy technology highlights both their adaptability and their commitment to preparing students for a rapidly changing world.

Personalized Learning Through AI

Private schools have long prided themselves on small class sizes and individualized instruction. Today, technology enhances that promise. AI-powered platforms can now monitor student performance in real time, adjusting assignments based on comprehension and engagement.

According to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), more than 60% of private schools reported integrating some form of AI into classroom instruction by 2024, ranging from math tutoring software to adaptive reading programs. Students struggling with concepts receive extra practice before falling behind, while advanced learners access enrichment pathways.

Importantly, teachers remain at the center of instruction. AI tools handle immediate feedback, freeing educators to focus on critical thinking, creativity, and mentoring. This hybrid approach—human-led teaching supported by AI—has become a hallmark of technology in private schools.

Teacher Training and Digital Readiness

Technology is only as effective as the educators guiding it. A 2025 Carnegie Learning survey found that fewer than half of schools offer structured

Podcasts That Will Change the Way You Think About Education

Podcasts have become a powerful tool for educators. They offer insights, inspiration, and practical strategies that shape your classrooms and student experiences.

Whether diving into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education or exploring best practices for supporting neurodiverse learners, these shows provide K-12 educators and parents with valuable perspectives.

Expert interviews, real-world case studies, and innovative teaching strategies serve as a bridge between theory and practice, helping educators navigate challenges and embrace new possibilities in education.

To generate a list of podcasts about a topic of interest to you, ask ChatGPT, Claude, Meta AI, Microsoft Copilot, or Perplexity to list all the podcasts on a specific topic.

For example, this prompt produced the following answer from Copilot: Prompt: "List podcasts about personalized learning that are active."

• The Future of Education - hosted by Michael B. Horn, explores innovative approaches to education, including personalized learning models. Listen here.
• LiberatED Podcast - Kerry McDonald discusses alternative education models, including personalized learning strategies. Listen here.
• L&D In Action: Winning Strategies from Learning Leaders - A podcast for learning leaders focused on creating a culture of learning within organizations, with discussions on personalized learning. Listen here.
• The Learning Geeks Podcast- Hosted by three learning professionals, this podcast covers new science, approaches, technologies, and ideas impacting personalized learning. Listen here.

Finally, some of these podcasts about education

How To Use AI For Research: A High School Student's Guide

As a high school student in 2025, you're at the perfect moment to embrace AI as a powerful research tool.

• Unlike traditional search engines, such as Google or Bing, AI research assistants such as ChatGPT, MetaAI, Perplexity, Microsoft Copilot, and Gemini can understand complex questions and synthesize information.
• They can help you develop ideas in ways that weren't possible just a few years ago.

In this article, I will share with you some of the strategies I have learned about using AI tools in my writing over the past two years.

• I will help you learn how to harness the tremendous capabilities of AI tools effectively.
• I'll also address the issue of academic integrity.
• Finally, I would ask any parents and teachers who have read this far to share this article with some young people and discuss some of my strategies with them.

Getting Started with AI Research Tools

The first thing to understand about AI research tools is that they function differently from search engines like Google and Bing, with which you're familiar.

• Instead of providing links to websites, they generate direct answers by analyzing vast amounts of information.
• As a result, you can ask questions, give commands in natural language, and receive comprehensive responses tailored to your needs.
• It's similar to having a live research assistant working for you.
• Moreover, AI tools are available