As the name implies, independent schools are private institutions that are not part of any larger organization or network.

Some independent schools are secular, while others are affiliated with religious denominations. Many pride themselves on fostering distinctive academic cultures and affording their pupils individualized attention. Usually relatively small in size, they often expect faculty members to contribute extensively to extracurricular activities and, in the case of boarding schools, to residential life. As private schools, they do not generally require teacher licensure.

Their main hiring season is in the late winter and early spring, as schools fill vacancies created by resignations and retirements, though some positions are filled year-round. Independent schools may advertise their own job applications, but the most common way of finding open positions is through placement agencies or clearinghouses that aggregate job postings.

Finally, St. Andrew's-Sewanee School offers the Father Flye Fellowship, "a one-year, paid opportunity for aspiring independent school educators to gain experience in the classroom, outdoor opportunities, on the athletic field, and in residential life." Many Sewanee graduates have begun their teaching careers through this program.