common school

noun

Synonyms of common schoolnext
: a free public school

Examples of common school in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lawyers representing charter school interests argued such funding is constitutional as charter schools are held accountable by the state and fit the Kentucky Constitution's definition of a common school. Hannah Pinski, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2025 Here are the most common schools represented among ASU grads in 2025: Engineering Liberal Arts and Sciences New College Teachers College Design and the Arts Health Solutions Public Service and Community Solutions Helen Rummel covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 12 May 2025 The common school movement also advocated for the right of girls to attend public schools—the first co-educational high school in America only opened in 1840—which became widespread by the 1870s. Richard Stengel, TIME, 15 Feb. 2025 Indiana code requires the court to forfeit the bond of a defendant who fails to appear in court and transfer the bond amount to the state common school fund, according to the audit. Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 11 Dec. 2024 With one sentence, vouchers would become constitutional in Kentucky: The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. Peter Greene, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1503, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of common school was in 1503

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Cite this Entry

“Common school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/common%20school. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.

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