For the first time, a systematic historical and pedagogical study of the scientific problem of the phenomenon of private secondary schools of the first degree development in Ukraine (1991–2018) was carried out as well as the changes in the progress of this segment of history were characterized.
The sources of research are systematized according to chronological and thematic-problematic criteria; interpretive, legislative and normative, narrative, didactic, published and unpublished documents as well as reference books are singled out and characterized.
The concept of «development of private secondary schools of the first degree in the outlined territorial and chronological» as historical and pedagogical (phenomenon) is specified, which is characterized by the dynamics of quantitative and qualitative changes due to the demands of society and parents for primary education and preparation for life in a changing world.
The legislative and normative regulation of the formation and development of secondary schools of private ownership within the chronological boundaries (1991–2018) is studied; the changes of concepts in the course of history in accordance with the normative acts of that time are specified, namely «secondary school of the first degree» was introduced into scientific circulation in 1991 by the Law of Ukraine «On Education»; «General educational institution of I-III degrees» (2000), Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine № 964 «On approval of the Regulations on general educational institution»; «Institution of general secondary education» (2017), the Law of Ukraine «On Education».
The state of research of various aspects in the context of a scientific problem is clarified; in accordance with the paradigmatic, civilizational, differentiated approaches, the periodization of the progress of the private secondary school of the first degree in the specified period of history is developed as well as two periods and stages in them are substantiated. The period of formation of the legislative and regulatory framework of private secondary schools (1991–2000) has got three stages: (1991–1994) the formation of private secondary schools in the school system of independent Ukraine, (1994–1996) the development of variable models of private secondary schools of the first degree of different types and structures, (1996–2000) the approval of private secondary schools in the education system of Ukraine. The period of development of the network of private secondary schools of the first degree (2000–2018), has got two stages: (2000–2007) the growth of inhibitory factors influencing the development of private secondary schools of the first degree (2007–2018) the diversification of types and structures of private secondary schools of the first degree.
The phenomenon of development of private secondary schools of the first degree in the education system of Ukraine is highlighted. The peculiarities of the organization of general education schools of the first degree of different types and structures are revealed: «First Swallow» kindergarten-school (Ivano-Frankivsk), «Catholic School of St. Basil the Great» primary school (Ivano-Frankivsk), «School of St. Sophia» (Lviv), «Schools of the Free and Caring» (Lviv), «Goldfish» school (Sumy), Odessa private gymnasium «Dream», gymnasiums «Apogee» (Kyiv) and «Renaissance» (Lviv), Poltava private educational complex «Parostok» (ZNZ-DNZ), secondary school in the structure of the lyceum «Grand» (Kyiv), author's school of the first degree «Trivita» (Maria Chumarna, Lviv), as well as numerous network schools, namely: Think Global, Specialized school of I-III degrees «Creative International Children's School», educational complex Kindergarten-school-lyceum «Ekoland».
Productive practices are characterized: introduction of pedagogical ideas of Maria Montessori to provide conditions for individual development of each child; the elements of Waldorf pedagogy – assistance in revealing the abilities and talents of students; Dalton plan – learning on the principles of free choice, independence and cooperation; organization of educational activities on Christian values; technologies of integrated and interactive learning. The semantic and methodological features of the educational process in private primary schools are revealed: the expansion of the palette of humanities (rhetoric, lessons of happiness, theater, Christian ethics, design, healthy eating, thinking), use of author's textbooks. The influence of pedagogical innovations and modern practices on the enrichment of the educational space of primary schools is studied, which can be useful in the development of a new Ukrainian school.
