Translation guide
A public high school operated by a prefectural government in Japan. The most common term is 県立高校, but the exact name varies by prefecture type (県, 都, 道, 府).
To refer to a prefectural senior high school in general conversation or writing.
Standard abbreviation for 県立高等学校. Used for schools run by a 県 (prefecture). This is the most common pattern.
I attend a prefectural senior high school.
Full formal name. Used in official documents or formal contexts.
The entrance exam for the prefectural senior high school is next month.
To refer to a prefectural senior high school in Tokyo, which uses 都 instead of 県.
To refer to a prefectural senior high school in Osaka or Kyoto, which use 府.
To refer to a prefectural senior high school in Hokkaido, which uses 道.
To refer to a public high school without specifying the level of government (could be prefectural or municipal).
Means 'public high school' and can include both prefectural and municipal schools. Use when the distinction is not important.
Tuition at public high schools is cheaper than at private ones.
In everyday speech, 高校 (こうこう) is used far more often than 高等学校 (こうとうがっこう). The full form is mainly for official names and documents.
Prefectural high schools (県立/都立/府立/道立) are run by the prefecture. Municipal high schools (市立, しりつ) are run by a city. Both are public (公立). If you're unsure, 公立高校 is a safe generic term.
Look at the list of Tokyo metropolitan senior high schools.
Attend an information session for the prefectural senior high school (in Osaka/Kyoto).
Solve the entrance exam questions for Hokkaido prefectural senior high schools.