secondary school
"Secondary schools" bridge the gap between primary education and higher education, preparing students for advanced studies or the workforce.
Definition
B1General
(common)An institution where students receive education after primary school and before higher education, usually covering grades 6 or 7 through 12.
Example
- After finishing primary school, she enrolled in the local secondary school.
B1UK and Ireland
(regional)A state school attended between the ages of 11 and 16 or 18.
Example
- In the UK, secondary school students typically take their GCSE exams at age 16.
B1Canada and US
(regional)An educational institution covering grades 9 through 12, typically for students aged 14 to 18.
Example
- In the US, secondary school often includes both middle and high school.
B1Hong Kong
(regional)A school providing education between primary school and university.
Example
- Students in Hong Kong attend secondary school after completing their primary education.
B1Singapore
(regional)A school attended between the ages of 12 and 17, equivalent to middle school or junior high school in North America.
Example
- In Singapore, students transition to secondary school at age 12.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "secondary school":
high schoolmiddle schoolupper schooljunior schoolpublic schoolprep schoolgrammar schoolboarding schoolfirst schoolhome schoolseparate schoolconvent schooljunior collegeindustrial school