An independent school is a private, tuition-based educational institution that operates independently. Synonyms for independent school include private school, non-public school, and non-state school. A private school indicates a school that is not funded by the government, while a non-public school emphasizes that the educational institution is not open to the public. Additionally, non-state school gives the impression that the school is not controlled by the state government. Other synonyms include fee-charging school, private institution, and exclusive school. Regardless of the term used, independent schools provide students with an opportunity to receive a more personalized education that caters to their specific needs and priorities.