If you are wondering whether to write high school or highschool, the correct spelling is high school.

High school is the standard two-word form in American English. It refers to a secondary school where students usually study before college or entering the workforce.

Highschool is generally considered incorrect in standard American English. It is sometimes seen online or in informal writing, but it is not the accepted spelling.

The simple rule:

✅ Correct: high school
❌ Incorrect: highschool

Examples:

• She attends a local high school.
• My high school graduation was in June.
• He played football in high school.

When referring to the school level or institution, always write high school as two words.

Quick Answer: High School or Highschool?

The correct choice is high school.

Word	Correct Usage	Meaning
High school	Standard	A secondary school or the period of education before college
Highschool	Nonstandard	An incorrect one-word spelling

Use high school in:

• School documents
• Articles
• Essays
• Emails
• Professional writing
• Everyday conversation

Examples:

• My brother starts high school next year.
• The high school offers advanced classes.
• She met her best friend in high school.

Why People Confuse High School And Highschool

The confusion happens because English has many compound words that are written as one word.

Examples:

• classroom
• textbook
• homework

Because high and school are closely connected in meaning, some people assume they should combine into one word.

However, high school has remained a standard two-word phrase in American English.

The fact that two words work together does not always mean they should be joined.

Compare:

Correct:

He graduated from high school.

Incorrect:

He graduated from highschool.

What Does High School Mean?

High school refers to a secondary school for teenagers, usually after middle school and before college or career training.

In the United States, high school commonly includes grades:

• 9th grade
• 10th grade
• 11th grade
• 12th grade

Examples:

• She is a student at Lincoln High School.
• He played basketball during high school.
• They graduated from high school last year.

The phrase can refer to both the physical school and the period of education.

How To Use High School Correctly

High School As A Noun

High school is most commonly used as a noun.

Examples:

• I went to high school in Texas.
• The high school has a new library.
• She graduated from high school.

High School As A Describing Phrase

High school can describe another noun.

Examples:

• high school student
• high school teacher
• high school football
• high school diploma
• high school course

Examples:

• She is a high school student.
• He teaches high school English.
• The team won the high school football championship.

Meaning And Usage Difference

The difference between high school and highschool is not meaning. The issue is standard usage.

Context	Best Choice	Why
Education level	High school	Standard American spelling
School building	High school	Correct noun phrase
Student description	High school	Used before another noun
Informal misspelling	Highschool	Avoid in edited writing

There is no situation in standard American English where highschool is preferred.

Tone, Context, And Formality

High school works in all types of writing.

Examples:

Formal:

• The high school announced new academic programs.

Casual:

• I saw my old high school friend yesterday.

Academic:

• High school students often prepare for college applications.

Because it is the standard spelling, it is appropriate for professional and personal communication.

Which One Should You Use?

Use high school every time.

Correct:

• high school student
• high school teacher
• high school graduation
• high school education

Incorrect:

• highschool student
• highschool teacher
• highschool graduation

A simple memory trick:

Think of it like:

middle school
high school

Both are written as two words.

When One Choice Sounds Wrong

Using highschool can make writing look informal or unedited.

Incorrect:

My highschool years were memorable.

Correct:

My high school years were memorable.

Incorrect:

She is a highschool teacher.

Correct:

She is a high school teacher.

The one-word form may be understood, but it does not follow standard spelling.

Common Mistakes And Quick Fixes

Mistake 1: Combining The Words

Incorrect:

He attends highschool.

Correct:

He attends high school.

Mistake 2: Using Highschool In Job Titles

Incorrect:

She is a highschool teacher.

Correct:

She is a high school teacher.

Mistake 3: Using Highschool In Formal Writing

Incorrect:

The highschool program improved student performance.

Correct:

The high school program improved student performance.

Everyday Examples

School Examples

• My daughter starts high school this fall.
• The high school offers music classes.
• He graduated from high school in 2025.
• The high school football team won the game.

Work And Education Examples

• Many employers ask for a high school diploma.
• She teaches high school science.
• He is applying for college after high school.

Conversation Examples

• Where did you go to high school?
• My old high school is being renovated.
• I still talk to my high school friends.

Dictionary-Style Word Details

Verb

High School: Not commonly used as a verb in standard American English.

Highschool: Not commonly used as a verb in standard American English.

Noun

High School: A noun phrase referring to a secondary school or the period of education at that level.

Examples:

• She attends high school.
• The high school opened a new building.

Highschool: Not a standard noun form in American English.

Synonyms

High School:

Closest plain alternatives:

• Secondary school
• High school education
• Secondary education

Note: The exact term can vary by region.

Highschool:

No separate synonyms apply because it is not a standard form.

Example Sentences

High School:

• She graduated from high school last year.
• The high school offers many activities.
• He teaches high school math.
• They met during high school.

Highschool:

The standard form is high school.

Incorrect:

• I went to highschool in California.

Correct:

• I went to high school in California.

Word History

High school developed as a phrase for a higher level of schooling. Over time, it became the standard term for secondary education in American English.

The one-word spelling highschool is not the accepted standard form.

Phrases Containing

Common phrases include:

• high school student
• high school teacher
• high school diploma
• high school graduation
• high school football
• high school education

Examples:

• She earned her high school diploma.
• The high school graduation ceremony was held in June.
• He is a high school student.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is high school one word or two words?

High school is two words. It is the standard spelling in American English.

Is highschool ever correct?

In standard American English, no. The accepted spelling is high school.

Why is high school not written as one word?

English does not combine every phrase into a single word. Some common phrases remain two words, and high school is one of them.

Is high school capitalized?

Usually no, unless it is part of a proper school name.

Examples:

• I attended high school in Ohio.
• I attended Lincoln High School.

Is high school the same as secondary school?

In the United States, high school is a type of secondary education. The exact grades can vary by location.

Conclusion

The difference between high school vs. highschool is simple.

Use:

High school for the correct standard spelling.

Avoid:

Highschool because it is not accepted in standard American English.

Whether you are writing an essay, application, article, or everyday message, always write it as two words: high school.