secondary school

noun

1. a high school or a school of corresponding grade, ranking between a primary school and a college or university.

secondary school

noun

1. a school for young people, usually between the ages of 11 and 18

Other Words From

• second·ary-school adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of secondary school¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

"Going into secondary school where nobody knows you, nobody knows your circumstances, it was difficult for me," she said.

From BBC

The majority of suspensions and exclusions - around nine out of 10 - occur in secondary school, but numbers are rising among primary-age children too.

From BBC

After completing primary and secondary school in Ghana, Bawumia moved to the UK for undergraduate study and went on to gain a masters in economics from the prestigious Oxford University.

From BBC

He said more than 1,500 primary school children and just under 1,000 secondary school pupils had been enrolled during the pilot.

From BBC

Two secondary schools could take on 600 extra pupils between them after plans to build a new school became too expensive.

From BBC

Related Words

• high school
• junior high school
• middle school
• prep school
• preparatory school
• senior high school

More About Secondary School

What is a secondary school?

A secondary school is an organization that teaches secondary education, the level of education that follows primary school and occurs before college or university.

In the United States, as elsewhere, the specifics of school systems vary depending on geographic area. A child usually attends a secondary school from around age 11 until age 16 or 18, depending on the state they live in.

A secondary school is usually referred to as a high school or a junior high school in the US, depending on the age or education level of the student. Education at a secondary school builds on what a student has learned already and teaches more advanced subjects, such as biology, chemistry, algebra, geometry, American and world history, and English.

It is technically mandatory for a child to attend secondary school. However, state laws only require a child to attend school until a certain age rather than until a certain education level. So, a child (or adult) is free to quit school upon reaching a certain age, regardless of whether or not they completed their education.

Why is secondary school important?

The first records of the term secondary school come from around 1825. It combines the word secondary, meaning “after the first,” and the word school, meaning an institution where students are instructed. Generally speaking, secondary school is the second learning institution a child will attend, with the first being primary school.

Compared to other countries, American secondary schools can often be very large. Secondary schools located in large cities or in school districts that cover a large geographic area can have thousands of students. Depending on the size of the school and resources available, a secondary school may offer college classes or college counseling to students nearing the end of their education.

In America, the actual curriculum taught at a secondary school (and a primary school) is determined by the state government. Depending on the school district, subjects such as evolution, the history of slavery, and the Civil War will be taught very differently. The presence of Christian religious instruction in American schools is also a highly controversial topic.

Did you know … ?

While secondary school is free in many countries, this is not the case everywhere. Countries that lack necessary funding to provide schooling often require parents to pay for their children to attend secondary school, severely limiting how many children attend and complete secondary school.

What are real-life examples of secondary school?

Secondary school is an important part of education and a big part of a young person’s life.

When you were in secondary school what sport competition did you participate in?

— Valeska🎴 (@Aolajre) September 19, 2020

My son's graduation from secondary school is tomorrow. He has an admission to study Software Engineering in the University but has decided to take a two-year gap before proceeding. I am super excited for him and will wear a smile all day, tomorrow.

— Chief Ofu Ji (@blossomozurumba) September 18, 2020

What other words are related to secondary school?

• school
• education
• high school
• junior high school
• primary school
• college

Quiz yourself!

True or False?

Secondary school typically involves educational instruction that is higher than a primary school and lower than a college or university.