American Dictionary

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Definition public school in American English

public school noun

[countable/uncountable] noun

Differences between American and British English: public school

In the U.S., a public school is paid for from taxes and provides free education to local children between the ages of about five and 18. The usual British word for this is a state school. In the U.K., public school refers to a private institution for young people between the ages of 13 and 18, whose parents pay for their education. American speakers usually call a school that people pay for their children to go to a private school.

1

a school that is controlled and paid for by the government

Synonyms and related words
Definition public school in American English