Parochial & Private Schools
Parochial and private schools are educational institutions operated by religious or private groups which are funded in whole or in part by the students’ tuition in contrast to public schools which are administered and financed by the local, state or national government. However, some parochial schools are also subsidized by government funds depending on the country or the institutions’ affiliations. Private schools, on the other hand, are independent institutions that have their own programs and requirements in selecting students. However, they still follow the rules and regulations appropriated to them by the Department of Education.
Parochial schools in the United States were, in the past, non-public. In fact, Catholic elementary schools were often attached to local parish churches. But nowadays, parochial schools are no longer just Catholic parochial schools but also refer to schools operated by different religions. These include Protestant, Jewish and Muslim, among many others. Parochial schools are independently established and operated by a religious institution and run by lay trustees or the members of the religious order. These institutions may or may not operate under public school standards depending on the differences of laws which differ from state to state. Parochial schools include religious education into their curriculum that aim to teach students their beliefs, doctrines, rituals, customs, rites, and personal roles.