A school which teaches writing or handwriting; spec. a school providing an elementary education in writing, arithmetic, and sometimes other…

An educational establishment or religious institution under the control of a rector. Now historical.

†(a) a building in which spelling is taught; (b) U.S. a contest in spelling.

British. Usually with capital initial(s). Designating any of a number of English schools founded as a charity and whose pupils wear a grey uniform…

a school in a rural area, frequently one including agriculture and other vocational subjects in the curriculum; (in the United States) a local…

The name given to schools established in Ireland by the Charter Society founded in 1733, to provide Protestant education for the Catholic poor. In…

A school located in a private home; the fact of educating children, esp. one's own, in the home.

A school for educating children in the principles of philanthropy, natural religion, and cosmopolitanism; = Philanthropinum, n.

a non-denominational elementary school of a type founded by the British and Foreign School Society (formed in 1814) and run according to the…

(a) Scottish a subsidiary school, typically in an area remote from the main school in a region (now historical); (b) New Zealand a small school…

U.S. A (usually privately funded) school at which pupils are prepared for college entrance.

a school in which practical and vocational skills are taught.

In some European countries (chiefly parts of Germany and Switzerland): a school that prepares pupils for the gymnasium or upper school after…

a school where a pupil's (usually young lady's) education is ‘finished’.

A school in a military camp for the children of soldiers. Now historical and rare.

U.S. = old-field school n. at old field, n. compounds 2. Now historical.

A local school in a community on the North American prairies.

Divided or arranged according to grades of rank, quality, etc. graded school (chiefly U.S.): ‘a school divided into departments taught by…

a school which is intended to be exemplary in organization, teaching methods, etc.

A school founded in 1774 by philosopher and educationist Johann Bernhard Basedow (born Johan Berend Bassedau) (1723–90) at Dessau in eastern…

a school in which, according to the French law of 1850, assistants could be employed who had no certificate of capacity, but only a certificate of…

= graded school at graded, adj. 2.

A school for children of an intermediate age or level of attainment; esp. a school intermediate between a first or elementary school and an upper…

a non-residential school providing education beyond elementary level (cf. continuation-school n. at continuation, n. compounds); spec. such a…

U.S. = prep school, n. 1.

A school in which instruction in Socialist principles is given on a Sunday.

a rural school, typically built by a farmer on his or her own land to provide education up to primary level for the children of local farm workers.

a school held at the weekend; one that gives classes at the weekend.

With lower-case initials. U.S. A school affiliated by charter with others (usually in the same region) for the purpose of athletic competition, etc.

a school of adult education, originating in Denmark, now also in other Scandinavian countries.

A class or set of classes providing supervision and teaching of children not old enough to enrol in kindergarten; the provision of such classes; the…

In the Soviet Union: a school preparing workers for entry to higher education.

a school run by a crammer (sense 2a).

An independently run school based on the principle that children should be allowed to develop without the restrictions imposed by examinations…

colloquial. An institution where pupils are ‘crammed’ for examinations. Frequently in the possessive.

In various technical uses. composite (high) school: in Canada, a secondary school providing courses in academic, commercial, and industrial subjects.

Usually in form Outward Bound. Originally: designating a sea school founded by Kurt Hahn at Aberdyfi in Wales in 1941. Now: of, relating to, or…

(originally) a school characterized by weak discipline and bad behaviour; (subsequently) the profession, or environment, of schoolteaching.

In South Asia: a traditional Hindu school where children are taught in Sanskrit by Brahmins.

In the United States and Canada: a high school specializing in vocational training and technical education.

Used absol. and attributively to designate allusively the characteristic style of hoydenish behaviour, school uniform, etc., of the girls in the…

In Japan: (originally) a private tutoring school run by a single tutor (historical); (now) a private school or college attended in addition to an…

In the People's Republic of China, an office-holder in a Party, governmental, or military organization; also more widely, one who holds a position…

Esp. in Latin America: a school, typically in a remote area, where pupils are taught using educational television programmes. Somewhat rare.

In England: an independent publicly run school (esp. a secondary school) funded by both the government and voluntary or private sponsors. Cf. academy…

= academy, n. 2b.