also: しんがくこう
prep school; college-prep school; school with high university entrance rate
Refers to a high school that sends a large proportion of its graduates to prestigious universities. The focus is on entrance exam preparation.
彼は地元の進学校に通っている。
He attends a local college-prep school.
進学校では、放課後も補習が行われることが多い。
At prep schools, supplementary lessons are often held after school.
school with high rate of graduates entering university or junior college
Dated usage. Historically referred to schools with a high proportion of graduates advancing to any higher education, not necessarily top-ranking institutions. Now largely replaced by the modern sense.
In the Showa era, this high school was known as a school that sent many graduates to university or junior college.
名門校 refers to a prestigious school with a long history and high social status, not necessarily defined by university entrance rates.
Standard kanji spelling. The reading しんがっこう is more common than しんがくこう.
Alternate reading. Less common and may be considered non-standard by some speakers.
Compound of 進学 (shingaku, 'entering a higher school') and 学校 (gakkō, 'school'). The reading しんがっこう is a common contraction of しんがくこう.