| 100% | PRINCIPAL | 9 | First and foremost, this person runs a high school |
| 40% | PROM | 4 | High school dance with a king and queen |
| 39% | PROM | 4 | High school event that often elects a king and queen |
| 39% | PROM | 4 | High school dance where a king and queen are crowned |
| 38% | ELECTION | 8 | 1999 rom-com set in a high school featuring Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick |
| 37% | AFTERPARTY | 10 | "The ___," series about a high school reunion, starring Tiffany Haddish and Sam Richardson on Apple TV+ |
| 37% | VERONICA | 8 | This TV detective was a high school student |
| 37% | CLUELESS | 8 | 1995 coming-of-age rom-com set in a high school featuring Paul Rudd and Alicia Silverstone |
| 36% | SLOPPYJOES | 10 | School cafeteria fare ... and a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 36% | ABOVEALL | 8 | First and foremost |
| 36% | PRINCIPAL | 9 | First and foremost |
| 36% | PRIMARILY | 9 | First and foremost |
| 36% | TENORS | 6 | High guys ... and a two-part hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 35% | HATE | 4 | "10 Things I ___ About You," 1999 rom-com set in a high school starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger |
| 35% | ALLTHAT | 7 | "She's ___," 1999 rom-com set in a high school featuring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Cook: 2 wds. |
| 35% | SEMICIRCLES | 11 | First- and third-quarter moons, e.g. … or a hint to this puzzle's theme |
| 35% | FEBRILE | 7 | Running a high temperature |
| 35% | OPERATOR | 8 | Person running a machine |
| 35% | HOST | 4 | Person running a party |
| 35% | CRIMEA | 6 | In Dec. 2018, Russia completed a high-tech security fence between the Ukraine and this territory |
| 35% | DAY | 3 | First ___ of school, new chapter with school bells and classroom adventures for a child |
| 35% | TEEN | 4 | A high school junior, usually |
| 34% | HELEN | 5 | ___ Keller, first deaf and blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts |
| 34% | JUDDNELSON | 10 | Actor who played a high school delinquent in "The Breakfast Club" and a yuppie politician in "St. Elmo's Fire": 2 wds. |
| 34% | EMILIOESTEVEZ | 13 | Actor who played a high school jock in "The Breakfast Club" and a law student in "St. Elmo's Fire": 2 wds. |
| 33% | CAFETERIA | 9 | Eatery in a high school |
| 33% | ESSAY | 5 | Many a high school test |
| 33% | PROM | 4 | High-school dance with a king and a queen, typically |
| 33% | RYUN | 4 | Jim ___, athlete who was the first high school junior to run a mile in under four minutes |
| 33% | ABOVE | 5 | With 4-Down, first and foremost |