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Though the terms "independent school" and "private school" are essentially synonymous, the latter has elitist connotations for many and the term "independent school" has been encouraged by the backers of such schools, especially since the 1970s.
The term independent school is also occasionally used in the U.S. as a reference to a system of schools operated by a so-called "independent school district". In this case, the term "independent" generally means that the district constitutes its own authority and is not part of another entity of government such a city or a county.
School types