the senior pupils in a secondary school, usually those in the fourth and fifth years and above
upper school in American English
noun
a scholastic division, esp. in a private school, including the terminal secondary grades
Word origin
[1620–30]This word is first recorded in the period 1620–30. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: acid, clinic, midshipman, phosphorus, settlement
Examples of 'upper school' in a sentence
upper school
He became head of the upper school in 2012 before the affair came to light.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I started my dream job when my daughter began upper school.
The Sun (2012)
The upper school danced five ballets.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
She progressed from junior associate to both the lower and upper schools and then graduated into the company at the age of 17.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Under the plan, large new upper schools were built, while former grammar schools were enlarged to hold more than 1,400 pupils.