preparatory school

noun

1
: a usually private school preparing students primarily for college
2
British : a private elementary school preparing students primarily for British public schools

Examples of preparatory 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.
According to its website, Preston High School is an all-girls private Catholic college preparatory school founded in 1947 by the Sisters of the Divine Compassion. Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025 Mauldin allegedly committed these offenses while a teacher at Nathaniel Greene Academy, a Christian, K-12 college preparatory school in Siloam, approximately 80 miles east of Atlanta. Chris Spargo, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025 The Catholic college preparatory school is hoping the addition of new national corporate partners and an enhanced game day experience at Santa Ana Stadium will ease pressure in its ongoing fundraising efforts. Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 19 Mar. 2025 Founded in 2007, Pacific Ridge School serves over 660 students as an independent, nonprofit, college preparatory school for grades six through 12. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for preparatory school

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of preparatory school was in 1822

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preparatory school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preparatory%20school. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

preparatory school

noun
1
: a usually private school preparing students primarily for college
2
British : a private elementary school preparing students primarily for public schools

More from Merriam-Webster on preparatory school

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!