Definition

Noun: A school that is operated, governed, or affiliated with a religious organization or body. Its curriculum and environment typically incorporate the teachings, values, and practices of a specific faith alongside standard academic subjects.

Usage

A "religious school" is an institution where education is provided under the auspices of a religious group. It is used as a countable noun. - The community decided to establish a new religious school to provide faith-based education. - Parents chose the local religious school for its strong academic program and moral framework.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term can function attributively to describe other nouns (e.g., , ).
  • The debate focused on religious school funding.
• Distinction from "Sunday School": A "religious school" typically refers to a full-time primary or secondary institution, unlike a "Sunday school" or "madrasa" which is often part-time, though context is key.

Variants and Related Words

• Faith-based school: A near-synonym emphasizing the foundation in a particular faith.
• Parochial school: Often specifically denotes a Christian, especially Catholic, school.
• Madrasa: An Arabic-term for an Islamic religious school.
• Yeshiva: A Jewish institution for religious instruction and study.

Synonyms

• Denominational school
• Church school
• Sectarian school

Related Phrases

• Private religious school: Specifies independent operation, often distinct from public school systems.
  • They enrolled their children in a private religious school.
• State-funded religious school: Refers to such schools that receive government financing, a subject of legal and policy debate in some regions.

Noun

1. a school run by a religious body