Secondary school (the term "high school" is most often associated with English-speaking countries, though the two are far from synonymous) is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place. It follows elementary or primary education, and may be followed by university (tertiary) education.

There are many different types of secondary school, and the terminology used varies around the world. Children usually transfer to secondary school between the ages of 10 and 16 years, and finish between the ages of 16 and 19 years, though there is considerable variation from country to country.

The following descriptions and definitions pertain to state-funded education unless otherwise stated.

In Australia secondary school is called high school, from Year 7 to Year 12 in every state but Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia, where high school is started in Year 8. In Tasmania, high school consitutes Years 7 to 10 with college (senior secondary) consiting of Year 11 and 12.

Laura Ingersoll Secord (September 13, 1775 – October 17, 1868) was a Canadian heroine of the War of 1812. She is known for warning British forces of an impending American attack that led to the British victory at the Battle of Beaver Dams.

Laura Ingersoll was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, in 1775. Following the aftermath of the American Revolution, her father, Thomas Ingersoll, who had supported the loyalists, moved his family to Canada in 1795, reportedly in hopes of regaining his lost family fortune. In 1797 Laura married a United Empire Loyalist, James Secord, son of an officer of Butler's Rangers. The couple resided in Queenston, Upper Canada (present-day Ontario), while her family went on to settle present day Ingersoll, Ontario.

After helping carry Isaac Brock's body from the battlefield during the Battle of Queenston Heights, James Secord, sergeant of the 1st Lincoln Militia, was later wounded by a musket ball. Laura went searching for James and was tending his wounds when they encountered a trio of U.S. soldiers, two raising their muskets intending to dispatch the prone sergeant. Captain John E. Wool of the 13th U.S. Infantry happened on the scene, preventing the attack. Wool and James Secord would remain life-long friends.