A private school, also known as an independent school, is an educational institution not run or funded by the government; instead, it operates independently and is primarily financed by tuition fees, donations, and endowments from private sources, such as parents, foundations, or charitable trusts. Key characteristics include self-governance via a board of trustees, the ability to select their own students, and the freedom to offer tailored educational philosophies, comprehensive curricula, and a wide range of extracurriculars, often with smaller class sizes to provide more individualized attention.