parochial school

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "parochial school" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a school that is typically affiliated with a specific religious group or denomination. Example: "My mom enrolled me in a parochial school, where I received a well-rounded education with a strong emphasis on Catholic teachings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Education meant the neighborhood parochial school, then Archbishop Molloy High School followed by Fordham University.

The New York Times

When a parochial school is closed, everyone is laid off.

The New York Times

There is no more money for parochial school tuition.

The New York Times

Christine also moved her to a parochial school.

The New York Times

News trucks were stationed in front of the parochial school.

The New York Times

Then St. Hyacinth decided to reopen its parochial school.

The New York Times

Jake, 9, and Dylan, 6, attend parochial school in Westchester.

The New York Times

The preschool operates nearby in a former parochial school.

The New York Times

Parochial school parents should not be parochial in their outlook.

The New York Times

Her daughter, Catherine, will stay enrolled at parochial school.

The New York Times

But a parochial school has to meet all the educational standards of any French school.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about education, use "parochial school" to specifically denote a school associated with a church or parish, providing clarity and avoiding ambiguity with general terms like "private school".

Common error

Avoid using "parochial school" interchangeably with "private school". While all parochial schools are private, not all private schools are religious. "Parochial school" specifies a religious affiliation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "parochial school" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It identifies a specific type of educational institution affiliated with a religious parish. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it commonly appears in contexts discussing education, religious upbringing, and school closures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "parochial school" correctly denotes a school affiliated with a religious parish and is very commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a noun phrase to identify a specific type of educational institution, primarily in news, encyclopedic, and wiki contexts. While grammatically sound, it should not be used interchangeably with "private school". Alternatives such as "church school" or "religious school" can be used depending on the desired level of specificity. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its diverse applications, from personal anecdotes to discussions of educational policy and community issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

church school

This alternative highlights the religious affiliation of the school.

religious school

This is a broader term, encompassing schools of various religious denominations.

denominational school

This term emphasizes the specific religious denomination associated with the school.

faith-based school

This phrase focuses on the school's foundation in religious faith.

sectarian school

This term refers to a school associated with a particular religious sect.

private religious school

Highlights both the private and religious aspects of the school.

religious academy

Uses "academy" as a more formal alternative to "school".

church-affiliated school

Explicitly states the school's affiliation with a church.

private confessional school

Confessional emphasizes adherence to a particular religious confession or doctrine.

diocesan school

Refers specifically to schools under the authority of a diocese.

FAQs

What exactly does the term "parochial school" mean?

A "parochial school" is a school that is affiliated with a religious parish or church, typically offering religious instruction as part of its curriculum.

How does a "parochial school" differ from other private schools?

While both are tuition-based and independent of public funding, a "parochial school" is specifically associated with a religious institution, whereas other private schools may have secular or non-religious orientations.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "parochial school"?

Depending on the context, you could use "church school", "religious school", or "faith-based school" as alternatives.

Is it correct to use "parochial school" when referring to schools of any religion?

While the term is most commonly associated with Catholic schools, it can technically apply to any school affiliated with a religious parish or congregation, regardless of denomination. However, specifying the denomination might provide more clarity.