high school

Meaning

High school is a school for students typically aged 14 to 18, representing the final stage of compulsory education before college or university. It is widely used in the United States, Canada, and several other countries to refer both to the institution and the years spent studying there.

Examples

• My brother is fifteen years old, so he is currently in high school.

  My brother is fifteen years old, so he is currently in high school.

• We first met when we were students in high school.

  We first met when we were students in high school.

• She wants to play basketball for her high school team this year.

  She wants to play basketball for her high school team this year.

• After I finish high school, I plan to study engineering at university.

  After I finish high school, I plan to study engineering at university.

• What was your favorite subject when you were in high school?

  What was your favorite subject when you were in high school?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I graduated from the high school last year.

  ✓ I graduated from high school last year.

  We do not use the definite article 'the' when talking about graduating from or attending high school in a general sense.

• ✗ He is studying in a high school.

  ✓ He goes to high school.

  Native speakers rarely say 'studying in a high school.' Instead, they use 'go to high school' or 'be in high school'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• In the US, teenagers usually start ___ when they are fourteen.

  💡 The school level before university.

  Show answer

  high school

• I still have many close friends from my ___ days.

  💡 The years spent studying as a teenager.

  Show answer

  high school