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"Escuela secundaria" is a noun which is often translated as "high school", and "preparatoria" is a noun which is also often translated as "high school". Learn more about the difference between "escuela secundaria" and "preparatoria" below.
la escuela secundaria(
ehs
-
kweh
-
lah
 
seh
-
koon
-
dah
-
ryah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. high school
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Formamos la banda cuando aún estábamos todos en la escuela secundaria.We formed the band when we were all still in high school.
b. secondary school
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Adela trabaja de profesora en una escuela secundaria.Adela works as a teacher in a secondary school.
c. senior high (grades 9 to 12)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Lucy y yo nos conocimos en la escuela secundaria.Lucy and I met in senior high.
d. middle school (grades 6 to 8)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Mi hijo está todavía en la escuela secundaria.My son is still in middle school.
e. junior high (grades 6 to 8)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Cuando termine la escuela secundaria, iré a un instituto público.When I finish junior high, I'll go to a public high school.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
la preparatoria(
preh
-
pah
-
rah
-
toh
-
ryah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
1. (education)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
(Central America)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
a. high school
Me gradué de la preparatoria y empecé a trabajar cuando tenía dieciocho años.I graduated from high school and began working when I was eighteen.
b. secondary school
Comencé a estudiar francés cuando iba a la preparatoria.I began studying French when I was in secondary school.
c. college
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Ya terminas la preparatoria. ¿Qué vas a estudiar en la universidad?You're finishing college soon. What are you going to study at university?
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.