high school

USAGE SUMMARY

"high school" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a school typically attended by students aged 14-18. For example: "After graduating from high school, I decided to pursue a college degree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

High school education.

The New York Times

I'm in high school".

The New Yorker

Or high school?

The New Yorker

So was high school.

The New York Times - Science

I finished high school.

The New York Times - Sports

"From?" "high school".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

High-school students cannot.

The Economist

A great high-school quarterback.

The New York Times - Magazine

Play high-school football.

WikiHow

Patrick High School, Est.

The New York Times - Sports

It is Leon High School, not Leon County High School.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about education, specify the type of "high school" if relevant (e.g., public, private, vocational) to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "high school" when you actually mean college or university. "High school" refers to secondary education, not post-secondary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "high school" primarily functions as a noun, referring to an educational institution or the period of secondary education. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, evidenced by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "high school" is a common and grammatically correct term referring to an institution providing secondary education. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears frequently in news, wiki, and formal business contexts, as well as in informal conversations when talking about formative years. When using "high school", ensure clarity by specifying the type of institution if necessary and avoid confusing it with higher education. Alternative phrases include "secondary school" or "senior high school". The phrase maintains a neutral tone and its use is widely understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secondary school

Broader term referring to the stage of education following primary school; encompasses "high school".

senior high school

More specific term emphasizing the later years of secondary education; often synonymous with "high school".

secondary education

Focuses on the educational system during the "high school" years rather than the institution itself.

prep school

A private school preparing students for college; implies a different environment than a typical "high school".

grammar school

Term used in some regions for a secondary school, though historically refers to a different type of school.

academy

Can refer to a specialized "high school" focusing on particular skills or subjects.

boarding school

A school where students live on campus; a specific type of "high school" experience.

comprehensive school

A "high school" that admits students of all abilities.

vocational school

A school focusing on job skills; a different track than a traditional "high school".

finishing school

Historically, a school for young women focusing on social graces; a very different context than a typical "high school".

FAQs

How to use "high school" in a sentence?

"High school" is used to refer to the institution or the period of secondary education. For instance, "She graduated from "high school" last year" or "My favorite subject in "high school" was history".

What can I say instead of "high school"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "secondary school", "senior "high school"", or simply "secondary education".

Which is correct, "high school" or "highschool"?

"High school" (two words) is the correct and commonly accepted spelling. "Highschool" (one word) is less common and generally considered incorrect.

What's the difference between "high school" and "prep school"?

"High school" is a general term for secondary education. "Prep school", or preparatory school, is typically a private school that prepares students specifically for college or university.