public school

/ˌpʌblɪk skul/

/ˈpʌblɪk skul/

Other forms: public schools

A public school is a school that runs on public funds, usually government-imposed taxes. It's free for everyone to go to a primary or secondary public school.

The phrase public school is one place where American and British English are completely at odds: in the US, public schools are free and open to everyone, but in the UK, public schools charge tuition and have entrance requirements. Public universities are also sometimes called public schools in the US, and while they're not free, they are less expensive for state residents.

Definitions of public school

1. noun

   a tuition free school in the United States supported by taxes and controlled by a school board
   types:

   charter school

   an experimental public school for kindergarten through grade 12; created and organized by teachers and parents and community leaders; operates independently of other schools

   type of:

   school

   an educational institution
2. noun

   private independent secondary school in Great Britain supported by endowment and tuition
   types:

   Eton College

   a public school for boys founded in 1440; located in Berkshire

   Winchester College

   the oldest English public school; located in Winchester

   type of:

   Gymnasium, lycee, lyceum, middle school, secondary school

   a school for students intermediate between elementary school and college; usually grades 9 to 12