High school is correct; highschool is incorrect when referring to a secondary school or the education level after middle school.
Many English learners wonder if “highschool” should be written as one word or “high school” as two words.
This is a common spelling question because English has many compound words that are sometimes written together and sometimes separately.
The standard form is high school, with a space between the two words. It refers to a school for older students, usually before college or university, or to the period of education at that level.
For example:
My brother goes to high school.
She is a high school student.
I graduated from high school last year.
The form highschool is generally considered a misspelling when used as the noun or adjective referring to secondary education.
In this guide, you will learn the meaning of high school, its origin, British and American usage, common mistakes, everyday examples, and the easiest way to remember the correct spelling.
Highschool or High School : Quick Answer
High school is the correct spelling.
It is written as two separate words:
✅ high school
❌ highschool
Correct Examples
I am in high school.
She is a high school teacher.
He graduated from high school in June.
Easy Memory Tip
Think of it as:
high + school = high school
Keep the two words separate when you are referring to the school or education level.
Highschool or High School: Definition and Meaning
What Does “High School” Mean?
High school is a school or level of education for students who are generally in their teenage years, before higher education such as college or university.
The exact grades included in high school can vary between countries.
Example:
She is starting high school this year.
What Does “High” Mean?
High can describe something that is at a greater level, position, or degree.
In high school, it is part of the established name for a level of education.
What Does “School” Mean?
School is an educational institution where students learn different subjects and skills.
Together, high school forms a standard compound noun.
Is “Highschool” Correct?
Generally, no. When referring to secondary school, standard English writes it as high school, with two words.
❌ I am a highschool student.
✅ I am a high school student.
The Origin of Highschool or High School
The word school has a long history. It comes from Old English scol, which came through Latin and Greek terms connected with education and learning.
The word high has Germanic roots and has been used in English for centuries to describe greater position, level, or degree.
The expression high school developed as a name for a higher level of school education. In the United States, the term became especially associated with schools serving students in the years before college.
Although the two words work together as a single idea, standard English keeps them separate:
high school
This is similar to many English expressions where two words form a common phrase without becoming one word.
British English vs American English Spelling
The phrase high school is written as two words in both British and American English.
However, the education system and the meaning of the term can differ by country.
| English Variety | Common Form | Example |
| American English | high school | I attend high school. |
| British English | secondary school / high school in some contexts | She attends secondary school. |
| Canadian English | high school | He is in high school. |
| Australian English | high school | She goes to high school. |
| International English | high school | He is a high school student. |
In American English, high school is a very common term for secondary education.
In British English, secondary school is often the more usual term, although high school is also used in some regions and school names.
The spelling highschool is not the standard form in either variety.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use high school when you mean the school or education level.
For US English
I am in high school.
For UK English
Depending on the context, secondary school may be more natural.
She attends secondary school.
But when referring to a school officially named “High School,” keep the name as given.
For Canada
My sister starts high school next year.
For Australia
He is a high school student.
For International Writing
High school is widely understood internationally.
If you are writing for a British audience, secondary school may sometimes be the better term depending on the exact education system.
Common Mistakes with Highschool or High School
Mistake 1: Writing “highschool”
❌ I go to highschool.
✅ I go to high school.
Why?
The standard spelling is two words.
Memory tip:
Keep high and school separate.
Mistake 2: Writing “high-school” unnecessarily
❌ I go to high-school.
✅ I go to high school.
As a general noun phrase, high school does not need a hyphen.
Mistake 3: Incorrect adjective form
❌ He is a highschool student.
✅ He is a high school student.
Here, high school works together to describe the student, but it is still normally written as two words.
Mistake 4: Confusing “high school” with “college”
In American English, high school normally refers to education before college.
She graduated from high school and went to college.
The exact education terms can differ between countries.
Highschool or High School in Everyday Examples
In Emails
I am writing about my high school application.
My high school teacher recommended this program.
In News
The high school announced its new education program.
A local high school won the competition.
On Social Media
Missing my high school days!
My old high school friends are visiting.
In Formal Writing
The study examined students from several high schools.
She completed her high school education in 2025.
In Education
He is a high school student.
She teaches high school mathematics.
In Questions
What is your high school called?
When did you finish high school?
Highschool or High School : Google Trends & Usage Data
People search for “highschool or high school” because many English compound expressions can be confusing. Some compound words eventually become one word, while others remain open phrases.
However, search frequency does not determine the correct spelling. A commonly searched form may simply be a common mistake.
For standard English, dictionaries and established usage references are better sources for deciding if a phrase should be written as one word, two words, or with a hyphen.
For the education term, the standard form is high school.
Quick Comparison Table: Highschool vs High School
| Form | Correct? | Meaning | Example |
| high school | ✅ Yes | Secondary school/education | She attends high school. |
| highschool | ❌ No | Nonstandard spelling | Avoid this form. |
| high-school | ⚠️ Usually unnecessary | Hyphenated form | Usually write high school. |
| secondary school | ✅ Yes | Common UK term | He attends secondary school. |
Quick Rule
School for older students = high school.
Always write it as two words.
People Also Ask: Highschool or High School
1. Is it highschool or high school?
High school is correct. It is normally written as two separate words.
2. Is highschool one word?
No. Highschool is not the standard spelling of the education term. Write high school.
3. Why is high school two words?
High school is an established two-word compound noun. Standard English keeps the words separate.
4. Is high school hyphenated?
Usually, no. The standard form is high school, without a hyphen.
5. Is high school British or American English?
High school is used in both varieties, but secondary school is often more common in British English.
6. What does high school mean?
High school generally means a level of secondary education for students before college or university.
7. Do you say “in high school” or “in highschool”?
The correct phrase is in high school.
She is in high school.
8. Is “high school student” correct?
Yes. High school student is the standard phrase.
9. Is “high school” a compound word?
It is a compound noun phrase made from two words. It is normally written as high school, not highschool.
10. What is the British word for high school?
Secondary school is generally the more common British term, although high school is also used in some British regions and school names.
Key Takeaways: Highschool or High School
- High school is correct.
- Highschool is not the standard spelling.
- Write high school as two words.
- High-school is usually unnecessary.
- American English commonly uses high school.
- British English often uses secondary school.
- High school student is correct.
- In high school is correct.
- The exact meaning can vary slightly between education systems.
Conclusion: Highschool or High School?
The correct form is high school, written as two separate words. Highschool is not the standard spelling when you are referring to a secondary school or the level of education before college or university.
For example, you should write, “I am in high school,” not “I am in highschool.” You can also write “high school student,” “high school teacher,” and “high school education.”
The phrase is widely used in American, Canadian, and Australian English. In British English, secondary school is often.
the more common general term, although high school appears in some regions and official school names.
The easiest way to remember the spelling is simple: high + school = high school. Keep the two words separate.
If you are writing an email, school assignment, website, social media post, or formal document, high school is the standard choice.
Once you remember that this phrase stays open rather than becoming highschool, this common spelling mistake becomes easy to avoid.
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I’m Orin Blake, a writer with a passion for making English grammar simple, practical, and easy to understand. I enjoy breaking down confusing words, spelling differences, and everyday language questions into clear, reader-friendly guides. My goal is to help students, professionals, and curious learners write with greater confidence and accuracy.
