A pervasive myth surrounds American private schools. Some schools have religious affiliations, others don't, but they all share the characteristic of skimming the best students and pandering to the wealthy.
Few myths are more unfair.
Private schools in America and in Utah are a diverse group of institutions ranging from expensive preparatory academies to tiny, inexpensive religious schools. They are housed in historic buildings, churches, new campuses, homes, and even in shopping centers. They are for high academic achievers, for students with special needs, for students of particular religious backgrounds, and for students who share none of these characteristics. The only broad characteristic private schools share is that they are privately owned and operated, and thus are not bound by many of the restrictions that apply to public schools. The most common myth about private schools is that they are only available to the wealthy.