preparatory school
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A private school that prepares students for higher education, typically for entry into a university or college. It is a secondary-level institution, often with a rigorous academic focus.
Usage
- Used to refer to a specific type of independent, fee-charging school for students usually of secondary school age.
- Often implies a school with a strong academic tradition and a focus on preparing pupils for university entrance exams and future studies.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- The term is often shortened informally to "prep school".
- In some contexts, especially in the United Kingdom, a preparatory school (or "pre-prep") may specifically refer to a school preparing younger children for entry into older, more established private secondary schools (often called "public schools" in the UK context).
Variants and Related Words
- Prep school (n): The common abbreviated form of "preparatory school".
- College-preparatory school (n): A term sometimes used to emphasize the specific goal of university preparation.
Synonyms
- Private school: A broader term for any school not administered by the government, which may or may not have a university-preparatory focus.
- Independent school: Similar to private school, emphasizing its operational and financial independence from the state.
Notes on Meaning
- The core meaning centers on the school's function: preparation for the next academic stage.
- It is distinct from a general public (state) secondary school, as it is private and often selective.
- While commonly associated with secondary education, the specific age range can vary by country.
Noun
- a private secondary school