a school in which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a school in which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific type of educational institution or to introduce a clause that provides more information about the school. Example: "She attended a school in which students were encouraged to explore their creativity through various art programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

A school in which a large percentage of students takes an exam will likely produce lower average scores than a school in which only top-flight students participate.

The New York Times

I work at a school in which a large percentage of the students live at or near the poverty level.

The New York Times

Or it could be understood as pure expression — a "school" in which every artist had a unique signature.

The New Yorker

Dylan Klebold was a bullied child, attending a school in which bullying was not being adequately addressed.

The New York Times

JP: You would be happy for your child to go to a school in which that was imparted as fact?

The Guardian

No one defends a school in which only 4 percent of the students pass the state exam and only 41 percent graduate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Tim Muffett has been to a school in Barnsley which is using Minecraft in its English lessons.

BBC

Rob and Finn talk about a school in London which has 600 children who speak a total of 42 different languages.

BBC

The BBC's Sophie Ribstein visited a school in Yeoville, Johannesburg, which caters mainly for children of asylum seekers and refugees.

BBC

A school in Devon which had temporary teaching huts for more than 60 years has been celebrating its permanent replacement.

BBC

Reporter Marc Ashdown visited a school in Edmonton which has been tackling the problem with the help of the Magic Breakfast charity.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing unique or specific attributes of a school, use "a school in which" to add detail and context about its environment or practices.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a school in which" can sometimes be more verbose than necessary. Consider using "a school where" or "a school that" for more concise phrasing when the context allows.

Linguistic Context

A relative clause introducing more information about the noun "school". As suggested by Ludwig, the phrase serves to provide context or detail about specific attributes or conditions present in the educational environment. The phrase is often used to elaborate a specific characteristic of the school, like bullying policies or teaching standards.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

18%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a school in which" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to introduce a relative clause providing additional information about a school. Ludwig confirms its validity and applicability in various contexts. While alternatives like "a school where" or "a school that" can offer brevity, "a school in which" allows for more detailed and formal descriptions. Predominantly found in news and academic sources, it serves to specify unique characteristics or conditions within an educational setting. When writing, keep in mind its descriptive power and consider whether a more concise alternative would suffice, balancing detail with clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a school where

Replaces "in which" with the more concise and common adverb "where", indicating location.

a school that

Uses the relative pronoun "that" to introduce a defining characteristic of the school, simplifying the structure.

a school with

Focuses on a specific feature or attribute that the school possesses, using the preposition "with".

a school characterized by

Emphasizes the defining characteristics of the school in a more formal tone.

an institution where

Substitutes "school" with the more general term "institution", while retaining the locative adverb "where".

a learning environment in which

Replaces "school" with "learning environment" and maintains the "in which" structure.

the kind of school that

Emphasizes the type or nature of the school, using "the kind of school" followed by "that".

a place of education where

Uses more descriptive language, replacing "school" with "place of education" and "in which" with "where".

a scholastic setting where

Replaces "school" with the more formal "scholastic setting", maintaining the "where" structure.

within the school that

Changes the sentence structure by placing emphasis on what is within the school.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a school in which" for brevity?

You can often replace "a school in which" with simpler alternatives like "a school where" or "a school that" depending on the context. These options are more concise and frequently used.

Is "a school in which" more formal than "a school that"?

Yes, "a school in which" tends to be slightly more formal than "a school that". Using "in which" often adds a layer of sophistication to your writing.

Can I use "where" instead of "in which" when referring to a school?

Yes, using "where" is a grammatically correct and often preferred alternative to "in which" when referring to a place like a school. It's more concise and natural in many contexts.

What are some common characteristics described after the phrase "a school in which"?

Common characteristics described after "a school in which" include specific teaching methods, student demographics, unique programs, or overall school environment. For example, "a school in which students excel in arts".