The term 鈥減rivate school鈥� is an umbrella term for any school that charges tuition fees and is operated by individuals and groups outside of the public education system. Many private schools are for-profit organizations.
The term 鈥渋ndependent鈥� classifies a private school that is run as a non-profit organization and is often overseen by a board of trustees. In many provinces,independent schools receive a certain amount of public funding and are accredited either by a government body or an affiliated organization. Accreditation provides a third-party reference that the school meets certain standards.
Some accreditation organizations for independent and private schools include:
- The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), an organization serving boarding schools in the US, Canada, and abroad
- Canadian Accredited Independent Schools () is a national organization for independent schools in Canada. It was formed in October 2009, as the result of a merger between the Canadian Educational Standards Institute and the Canadian Association of Independent Schools.
- The Round Square, a worldwide association of more than 70 schools in Canada and abroad with a curriculum emphasis on community service and exchange programs
- The Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA), an organization of Montessori schools across Canada
- The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), an accrediting organization for Christian schools in Canada, the US, and abroad
- The Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario (CIS) and the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools (OFIS), two organizations serving independent schools in Ontario