semantics of private vs independent i think describing canadian private schools as independent is problematic i think most would agree that there are specific connotations to each word that should be recognized calling something an independent school has positive connotations of independance nobility etc private carries connotations of exclusion elitism and could be seen as a more negative desciption of these schools i personally think private is the more appropriate term for schools existing outside of the public system requiring yearly tuition in excess of i feel terming them independent is white washing their exclusivity and restricted access