ナンバースクール

noun

prestigious numbered high school (Meiji period)

Refers to one of the eight earliest and most prestigious high schools established during the Meiji period, often designated by numbers (e.g., 第一高等学校). A historical term; not used for modern schools.

wasei-eigo (Japanese-coined English), from number school

• 彼かれの祖そ父ふはナンバースクールの出しゅっ身しんだそうだ。

  I hear his grandfather graduated from one of the prestigious numbered high schools.

• ナンバースクールは明めい治じ時じ代だいのエリート教きょう育いくを象しょう徴ちょうする存そん在ざいだった。

  The numbered high schools were symbols of elite education in the Meiji period.