Private Education: Why we're talking about the centuries-old system

Plus the week's best takes

In partnership with

Good morning. It's Saturday, Sept. 6, and we're bringing you the latest Society & Culture newsletter. Every week, we provide fascinating deep dives into the worlds of art, music, literature, film, food, sports, entertainment, and more.

This week we've teamed up with 1440's Sunday Digest for a special "back-to-school" double issue. Today, we're covering private education—its history, evolution, and place in the larger culture. Tomorrow's Sunday Digest will do the same for public education. (Check here to see if you're subscribed to the Sunday Digest.)

Also, feel free to reach out! You can hit "reply" if you have any feedback, questions, suggestions, or just want to say "hello."

—Kevin Kearney, 1440 Society & Culture Section Editor

Kicking It Old School

Background

Private education is a broad term encompassing schools not managed by the state.

Because they are not publicly funded, private schools have more autonomy—setting their own curriculum, discipline, and culture—than public schools.

Approximately 10% of American K-12 students are enrolled in private schools, with over three-quarters enrolled in religiously affiliated schools. (See a breakdown of the numbers here.)

An Umbrella Term

Private schools come in many different forms. Some are religious, while others are secular. Some serve special purposes, like accommodating special education students or offering military training. They are generally smaller than their public counterparts, with 44% enrolling fewer than 300 students in 2021. (See more data on private school enrollment and tuition.)

Tuition, endowments, donors, and grants often fund private schools. Because they do not rely on federal or state funds, they’re not bound by federal or state curriculum standards. Depending on their state, however, some schools may be required to meet specific requirements and accreditations. Private colleges and universities also charge tuition, but often rely on federal funding for research.

Many private schools value alternative pedagogical approaches (like the student-led Harkness method) and educational philosophies (like hands-on Montessori) that public schools largely avoid. Others distinguish themselves by religious or ethical missions.

General Education

Although there are now legal distinctions between public and private education, there was no dichotomy in early American education. During colonial times, cooperating families and religious groups—including the Jesuits, Puritans, and Quakers—opened schools that blended academic and spiritual instruction.

Massachusetts passed the first compulsory education law as early as 1642, requiring families to instruct children in reading and writing, as well as religious and colonial law. By 1852, Massachusetts mandated that all children ages 8 to 14 attend school. By 1918, every state had a similar law.

A Private Alternative

The early public school system was ostensibly designed for all Americans, but it was also racially segregated and often driven by a Protestant worldview. Private schools—like Catholic parochial schools, named for the parishes with which they were affiliated—expanded as alternatives for Black Americans and European immigrants.

In 1922, Oregon passed a bill banning private education that the state’s Ku Klux Klan spearheaded. The bill eventually made it to the Supreme Court, which deemed it unconstitutional, establishing a federal right for parents to opt out of the public education system. (Read more about the ruling here.)

Following the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education ruling, which desegregated public schools, there was an explosion of segregation academies. In 1976, Runyon v. McCrary outlawed segregation in private schools, forcing the academies to integrate or shutter.

Elite or Elitist?

For its supporters, private education remains a much-needed resource for needs not offered by the larger public education system. Still, scholars note that private schools are often reserved for those who can afford tuition.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many private schools offered in-person learning while their public counterparts remained entirely online. By early 2021, approximately 76% of private schools offered some form of in-person learning compared with 38% of public schools.

That contrast led to higher enrollments at private schools and has spawned a renewed interest in school choice programs.

In partnership with Miso Robotics

“One of the Largest Industries Ever”

That’s what NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang said about robotics. And the numbers back it up: Experts project the robotics market will nearly 4x by 2032. So it’s a big deal that both NVIDIA and Amazon helped Miso Robotics perfect their new, fully commercial restaurant kitchen robot.

Miso’s AI-powered kitchen robots have logged 200k+ hours for major restaurant brands like White Castle. Now, with the launch of their first commercial robot, Flippy Fry Station, Miso’s ready to scale. That’s a $4B/year revenue opportunity.

And after recently announcing a new partnership with Uber AI, Miso is boosting their US-based manufacturing to meet demand for upcoming installations. No wonder 39k+ people have already invested. And you can join them. Become a Miso Robotics shareholder here.*

Please support our sponsors!

Explore Private Education

The most expensive private schools in the US

Private schools can offer students specialized education and one-of-a-kind opportunities, but those often come with a price. For these elite institutions, the price is more than that of most four-year colleges. See the list here.

Why are private schools so popular in San Francisco?

Private education is especially popular in the city, with 30% of students attending private institutions, nearly three times the national figure. This podcast investigates why, speaking with parents and economists about their motivations and the potential long-term impact. Listen here.

The debate over school choice vouchers

Although private school vouchers—which allow families to use public funds to pay private tuition—have been around for decades, they’ve become a popular topic in the national conversation about education. This podcast breaks down the arguments for and against vouchers and untangles what data on them suggests. Listen here.

The private school driven by AI, not teachers

Alpha School, a private school network that uses AI tutors and human “guides” rather than teachers, is expanding across the US. Its founder says two hours a day with AI-powered software frees students up to pursue their passions. Critics, including the Pennsylvania Department of Education, say the methods are untested. Watch a report here.

Can Catholic schools be saved?

Catholic schools, once the best private option for working-class families, have been struggling for decades. This piece on Boston’s Catholic schools explores the reasons for the decline and the potential for a renewal. Read it here.

John Dewey, an American educational pioneer

Dewey is perhaps the biggest figure in American education. He is known for emphasizing active, experiential learning and founding one of the country’s most renowned private schools: the Experimental School, which would later become the Laboratory Schools in Chicago. This detailed history unpacks his legacy, which still influences today’s educators. Read it here.

Cultural Context

Beyond our weekly deep dives, we love finding great takes on the culture currently shaping our lives. Here are some of the best reactions, profiles, and think pieces we encountered this week.

> Inside the $7M Project To Save Frank Lloyd Wright's Iconic Masterpiece

The Washington Post | Ashley Stimpson. Fallingwater's caretakers have pumped nearly 12 tons of grout into its walls to stop incessant leaking. (Yes, they recognize the irony.) Stimpson’s piece details the problems that come with maintaining such an important architectural achievement. (Read)

> How a '90s Goo Goo Dolls Hit Became the Song of the Summer

WSJ | Elias Leight. On paper, it doesn’t make sense: How does "Iris," a 1998 pop-rock song from a Nicolas Cage movie, end up topping the charts in 2025? The answer is a mishmash of TikTok, Spotify, and other nostalgic pop culture enterprises. (Read)

> 'Animal Farm' at 80

Religion and Liberty Online | John P. Rossi and John Rodden. The allegory is one of Orwell’s most widely read books. Rossi and Rodden detail the book’s history—including Orwell’s difficulty in finding a publisher—and explain why so many believe it still resonates today. (Read)

> Is Rotten Tomatoes Still Reliable?

Stat Significant | Daniel Parris. The review aggregator has long been the gold standard in the film world, but a few select titles led Parris to doubt its trustworthiness. The data-obsessed journalist jumped into the weeds to see if the site still has the goods. (Read)

> When Machines Start Calling the Shots

Reboot | Arushi Bandi. The US Open concludes tomorrow, bringing an end to weeks of intense competition, much of it judged by computers. Bandi weighs what that means for the sport and what it implies for automation in other arenas. (Read)

In partnership with Miso Robotics

The AI That Restaurant Brands Are Demanding

Sellouts = good business. Well, Miso sold out initial units of its newest AI-powered kitchen robot in 7 days. Why? The $1T fast-food industry faces 144% employee turnover. So brands like White Castle use Miso to help boost industry profits by up to $24B. NVIDIA and Uber’s AI team even partnered with them.

Invest in Miso today.*

Please support our sponsors!