Secondary schools in Nepal cover Grades 9 to 12 and typically serve students aged 13 to 16. This level follows the completion of the Basic Level Examination. It is divided into two parts: Grades 9–10 (often referred to as lower secondary) and Grades 11–12 (also known as secondary or the "Plus Two" level).
According to the latest data from CEHRD, a total of 11,542 schools in Nepal offer secondary-level education. Among them, 6,493 schools provide education up to Grade 10, while 5,049 schools extend up to Grade 12. Of the total secondary schools, 7,131 are community schools, 4,329 are institutional (private) schools, and 82 are religious schools.
These figures show that while community schools make up the majority at the secondary level, institutional schools also have a significant presence—especially in lower secondary (up to Grade 10). This statistic reflects a continued shift in which private schools are expanding their role in preparing students for national-level examinations and higher education opportunities.