More and more families are rethinking what kind of education will truly serve their children. Real life doesn’t ask for test scores or college acceptances, but for the kind of people that can meet challenges with insight and endurance. The growing popularity of private schools shows just how important a personalized, values-driven education is. Private education offers something different: schools where students are known deeply and character growth is part of the everyday rhythm.
But if you’ve started exploring private education, you may have noticed that not every private school is built the same way. Some are part of religious organizations. Others follow a more traditional or classical model. And then there are independent schools — places that chart their own course grounded in mission and community, not outside mandates.
Understanding how independent schools differ from other private schools can help you find the right school environment that reflects your child’s needs to be intellectually challenged and nurtured to grow into the person they were meant to be.
Understanding the Differences Between Private and Independent Schools
The terms “private school” and “independent school” are often used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same. All independent schools are technically private education, but not all private schools are independently run.
The key difference comes down to who leads the school and how decisions are made. While private schools can be governed by outside organizations, religious institutions, or even for-profit companies, independent schools operate on their own. They’re guided by an internal board of trustees and funded independently for mission-driven goals.
For families choosing a school, this distinction can shape everything from curriculum and community life to the core values that the school is built on.
What is a Private School?
Private schools are any schools not run by the local, state, or federal government. This broad category includes a wide range of institutions like religious schools, independent schools, and for-profit academies.
Leadership and governance can look very different from one private school to the next. Some are overseen by church organizations while others are managed by individuals or corporate groups. As a result, the values and priorities between private schools may vary widely.
What is an Independent School?
Independent schools are a specific kind of private school. They’re non-profit institutions governed by a board of trustees and fully independent of any religious, government, or corporate body.
That independence gives these schools the freedom to shape their own educational mission. Every decision is made internally toward what’s best for students and aligned with the school’s values. The result is a learning environment that’s deeply intentional and guided by specific tenets.
Exploring the Benefits of Private Education
For many families, the benefits of private school come down to the experience their child has each day. As a parent or guardian, you want the best environment for your child to learn and grow.
Private schools tend to offer smaller class sizes, which means teachers can give more attention to each student. Questions are answered more quickly. Discussions go deeper. Learning becomes more personal, which makes your student less likely to slip through the cracks.
There’s also more room to be flexible. Without the constraints of state-mandated curricula, private schools can adapt their teaching methods and content to meet the needs of their students. That might look like integrating current events into classroom discussions or designing projects across grade levels that connect learning to the real world.
Beyond academics, private education often places a stronger emphasis on whole-child development. Through service opportunities, advisory programs, and community gatherings, character education and social-emotional learning are woven into the school day—not tacked on. Students are invited to reflect on who they are and who they’re becoming.
And because private schools often operate with more autonomy and resources, students typically have greater access to the arts, athletics, and leadership roles. That freedom to try new things and take risks helps students build confidence in what they care about.
What Sets Independent Schools Apart?
Independent schools offer something distinct in how they approach education as a whole. Free from external oversight, these schools have the freedom to stay focused on their mission in ways that reflect their students’ needs and values.
Leadership at independent schools isn’t filtered through layers of bureaucracy. Decisions are made by people who know the school community intimately: Educators, families, trustees—people invested in its long-term success. That independence allows for more thoughtful planning, more responsive changes, and a culture that places students at the center of everything.
It also means the school’s programs can evolve. Whether it’s redesigning culturally-relevant courses or expanding student support, independent schools can adapt to meet the needs of their students without waiting for outside approval. And because they’re accountable to their own mission, there’s a strong drive for excellence and integrity through self-assessment and accreditation processes.
It’s this combination of independent leadership, a shared sense of purpose, and the freedom to live it fully that allows schools like Friends Academy to build a vibrant PreK–12 experience rooted in both academic rigor and enduring values. Here, the education is shaped by the Quaker principles that guide how we learn and live together.
Find Independent Schools on Long Island: Discover an Enriching Private Education at Friends Academy
At its best, education is about more than knowledge. It’s about direction, purpose, and the people who walk alongside your child as they grow. Choosing an independent school is not just an educational decision—it’s a long-term investment in your child’s future.
At Friends Academy, families on Long Island find an exceptional private education built on enduring values and meaningful community. From PreK through 12th grade, students are surrounded by educators who know them well and challenge them to think deeply, act thoughtfully, and lead with integrity.
Grounded in the Quaker commitment to inspiring students to pursue goodness, integrity, and purpose, Friends Academy helps students grow not only as learners but as human beings. The result is a real-world education that prepares them to thrive in college and contribute with purpose far beyond it.
We invite you to experience this approach toward education for yourself, learn about the impact of a Quaker school, and explore your options. Additionally, we would love to discuss your child’s future in person! Visit campus and see firsthand the difference an independent school can make.
