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.
He attends a local college-prep school.
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.
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.