'Highschool' or 'High School': Is ‘High School’ One Word?

Do you need to know whether 'highschool' or 'high school' is correct? You came to the right place.

Here is the short answer:

• 'Highschool' is not grammatically correct.
• 'High school' is a noun always spelled as two separate words.

Learn why 'high school' isn't one word and how to write other places correctly in this guide with definitions, examples, grammar rules, and usage tips.

Is 'High School' One Word?

Some English words have more than one acceptable format. However, when it comes to 'highschool' or 'high school,' 'highschool' is grammatically incorrect. 'High school' should always be written as two separate words.

Any time you write similar nouns, school is a separate word, for example:

• Elementary school
• Middle school
• Primary school
• Barrington Elementary School
• High schooler
• Austin High School

So, as you can see, you do not combine the words when naming a school.

How to Use 'High School'

Here are some examples of how to use this term correctly.

• Use 'high school' when you are not using a proper name.

For example, you might say:

Do you remember your first day of high school? I was so excited and nervous. 

• Use 'High School' capitalized when you are writing a proper name.

For example, you could write:

One of the best high schools in Houston, TX, is the DeBakey High School for Health Care Professionals. 

• Use 'high school' when referencing a school that includes grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 or 10, 11, and 12.

For example, you might hear someone say:

High school was filled with exciting moments. I got my driver's license and first job when I was in high school, and I fell in love for the first time. 

• Use 'high school' when you are referring to advanced horsemanship exercises.

For example, you might say:

I want to attend an equestrian high school but do not wish to attend a boarding school. Being away from my friends and family for extended periods would be too difficult. 

How to Properly Write Compound Nouns

Compound nouns are those that combine more than one word to make a noun.

They can be combined into one word, for example:

• Cupboard
• Airport
• Gentleman
• Grandmother
• Stepsister
• Moonlight
• Sunbeam
• Beachfront

In most cases, when you are writing location-related nouns, you use two separate words, for example:

• 'High school'
• Sugar Land
• Cottage City
• College Park
• District Heights
• All Heights
• Colorado City
• Fort Worth

Noun names for places are not hyphenated, but some compound nouns are, for example:

• Daughter-in-law
• Well-being
• Check-in
• Editor-in-chief
• Check-up

As you can see, there are some compound noun locations like airport, beachfront, or Watertown that are combined into a single word. But others like 'high school,' Trinity Heights, and Sugar Land are not.

Definition of 'High School'

The definition of 'high school' according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is:

• A school typically in the United States that includes grades 9 through 12 or 10 through 12

It can also mean:

• Advanced horsemanship exercises

Synonyms of 'High School'

• Public school
• Secondary school
• Senior high school
• Trade school
• Primary school
• Training school
• Preparatory school
• Grammar school
• Charter school

Pronunciation: How to Pronounce 'High School'

Learning pronunciation is essential because it helps you become a stronger writer. It can also help you remember how to spell words and what version of a word to use.

So, here is a pronunciation guide that you can follow.

• Use this phonetic spelling to pronounce 'high school':

hī-skül

Sample Sentences Using 'High School'

Now, read through these sentences to ensure that you understand how and when to use 'high school.' Reading them will help to cement the correct spelling in your memory.

• I can't wait until we finish this year. Next year we will be in high school, and there will be so many new experiences. It will be like a whole new world.
• You have to write essays more frequently in high school, so learning how to outline papers is a valuable writing skill.
• I hope to write a best-selling book before I graduate from high school. I am going to take a book outlining class this summer.
• While she was in high school, she started an anonymous blog to share all of her experiences. By her senior year, she was dying to tell her classmates she was the author, but she was also scared to reveal her true identity.
• She is writing a case study on the program designed to help high schools learn to budget grant funds more efficiently. We hope it will show the benefits of implementing the program throughout the district.
• Did you read the article by the horse blogger on equestrian high schools in the United States and Canada?
• After graduating high school, I want to travel and work remotely as a freelance writer. However, I am not sure about how to find high-paying writing jobs.
• Good grades in high school will open more doors for you in the future. For example, it will be easier for you to get into a highly-rated university.
• My high school English teacher was outstanding. She helped us discover our favorite writing niches and get paid writing jobs.
• Did you have Mrs. Wonder when you went to Kempner High School, or had she transferred to Austin High School down the street?

A Final Review of Whether 'Highschool' or 'High School' is Correct

After learning so much information, doing a quick review is a good idea. So, here is a recap of whether 'highschool' or 'high school' is correct:

• 'Highschool' is a grammatical error. It is never spelled as one word.
• 'High school' is the grammatically correct form of the noun for a school that contains grades 9 through 12 or 10 through 12, or the last school students attend before completing their primary education.

Knowing how to compound words to create nouns for places can be confusing. So, if you get mixed up in the future, return to this page for a recap.

You can read about other topics here at Freelance Writing Jobs to help you become a better, more marketable writer and stay up-to-date on industry changes and best practices. You can also find grammar guides, tips for hiring writers, and more.

So, come back often!

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