separate school: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Educational, Legal
Quick answer
What does “separate school” mean?
A school that is divided from others, often by religion, gender, or ability.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A school that is divided from others, often by religion, gender, or ability.
In Canada, a publicly funded school for a specific religious denomination (usually Roman Catholic). More broadly, any school that segregates students based on specific criteria such as religion, sex, or academic streaming.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'separate school' is a generic term for a school that is not co-educational or is for specific needs. In the US, the term is less common but can refer to racially segregated schools (historically) or, in some contexts, religious schools. In Canada, it has a specific legal meaning referring to Catholic public schools.
Connotations
UK: Often administrative or descriptive. US: Can carry historical weight related to racial segregation. Canada: A standard, legally defined term for a type of public school system.
Frequency
High frequency in Canadian English, particularly in Ontario. Moderate to low frequency in UK English in educational contexts. Low frequency in general US English, except in historical or legal discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “separate school” in a Sentence
[Parents] opted for a separate school for their children.The [province] funds separate schools.The [law] guarantees the right to separate schools.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “separate school” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The local authority decided to separate school children by ability.
American English
- The district voted to separate school funding streams.
adverb
British English
- The pupils were taught separately, school by school.
American English
- The funds are administered separately for school districts.
adjective
British English
- They enrolled their daughter in a separate school for girls.
American English
- The town maintains a separate school board for the Catholic system.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used.
Academic
Used in educational policy, sociology, and history papers discussing school systems, segregation, or religious education.
Everyday
Common in Canadian daily conversation regarding education. Elsewhere, used when discussing school choices or types.
Technical
A legal term in Canadian constitutional law (Section 93 of the Constitution Act, 1867).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “separate school”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “separate school”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “separate school”
- Using 'separated school' (incorrect adjective form).
- Confusing it with 'private school' (separate schools in Canada are public).
- Assuming it always has a negative connotation of inequality.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, especially in Canada. Separate schools are part of the publicly funded school system but are operated by a specific religious denomination.
They originated as a constitutional compromise to protect the rights of Catholic and Protestant minorities in education at the time of Confederation.
Historically and in some contexts, yes, particularly in the US. However, in modern Canadian and UK usage, it primarily refers to religious or gender-based separation.
Not always. While it is a standard administrative term, debates about funding and the value of separation in education can make its usage contentious.
A school that is divided from others, often by religion, gender, or ability.
Separate school is usually formal, educational, legal in register.
Separate school: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsep.ər.ət skuːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsep.ər.ət skuːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To go to a separate school (Canadian idiom meaning to attend the Catholic school system).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'separate' as 'apart'. A 'separate school' keeps certain groups apart based on specific rules.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A DIVIDED PATHWAY. (The system provides different, parallel routes for different groups.)
Practice
Quiz
In which country does 'separate school' have a specific constitutional meaning?