20 Journals to Publish Your Research in High School

February 29, 2024

By Eric Eng

20 Journals to Publish Your Research in High School

Are you a high school student looking to showcase your research and academic achievements? Exploring opportunities to publish your work in reputable journals tailored to high school researchers can be an invaluable step in your academic journey. In this blog, we’ll delve into 20 prominent “journals to publish your research in high school,” providing insight into their focus areas, submission processes, and impact within the academic community.

1. Young Scholars in Writing

Cost: free
Submission Deadline: April 16, 2024
Area/s of Expertise: writing, rhetoric, discourse, language, and related topics
Research Type: Original research, peer-reviewed

Young Scholars in Writing: Undergraduate Research in Writing and Rhetoric is dedicated to publishing research articles authored by undergraduates exploring themes within rhetoric and writing. They aim to showcase papers that blend secondary sources with primary research conducted by the author(s), or that ground their inquiries within a specific theoretical framework. Ultimately, they prioritize articles that offer substantive intellectual contributions to their respective fields.

Young Scholars in Writing, one of the best journals to publish your research in the country, actively encourages collaborative manuscripts and research focusing on historically or presently marginalized or underrepresented communities and cultures.

Their peer-review process involves undergraduate students from various two- and four-year colleges nationwide, as well as past contributors to the journal. Additionally, the journal undergoes faculty review by members of the editorial board hailing from institutions of higher education throughout the United States.

2. The Concord Review

Cost: $50 for submission and $200 for the publication cost
Submission Deadline: August 1 (Winter), November 1 (Spring), February 1 (Summer) and May 1 (Fall).
Area/s of Expertise: all academic concetrations
Research Type: all types of academic research

The Concord Review, one of the most popular journals to publish your research, is a quarterly publication showcasing history essays authored by high school students. Renowned as the foremost journal for high school students in the social sciences, its esteemed reputation stems from its exceptional selectivity (presently below 5%), unwavering commitment to quality, and a distinguished history of contributors being admitted to top-tier universities.

The caliber of published papers is notably superior, with an average length of 9000 words over the past year. A qualitative evaluation of these papers underscores the considerable time and effort invested, coupled with a remarkable standard of writing.

3. High School Journal of Science

Cost: $250 as publication cost
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: Science and Social Science
Research Type: Original research and literature-reviewed

The National High School Journal of Science (NHSJS) operates under the oversight and peer-review of high school students globally, complemented by a scientific advisory board comprised of adult academics. Typically, the journal requires 1-2 months to evaluate submissions for acceptance, followed by an editing process lasting up to 1 month. NHSJS welcomes submissions across a broad spectrum of science and social science disciplines on an ongoing basis.

Considering its comparatively higher acceptance rate, NHSJS is often recommended as a secondary option for publication. Based on our experience in assisting students with submissions to NHSJS, we estimate an acceptance rate of approximately 70%.

4. International Journal of High School Research

Cost: $200
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: Science and Social Science
Research Type: Original research and literature-reviewed

The International Journal of High School Research (IJHSR) features research conducted by high school students across disciplines such as behavioral and social sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics, encompassing both original research and literature review articles. With a publication frequency of six issues per year, IJHSR operates on a rolling submissions basis and offers open access to the public. The journal is administered by the nonprofit organization Terra Science and Education.

A distinctive requirement of IJHSR is that authors must solicit and secure the agreement of three professors or post-doctoral scholars to review their paper. Given the time-intensive nature of this process, we recommend initiating contact with potential reviewers early in the research phase if aiming to publish in IJHSR.

5. Journal of Student Research

Cost: $50 for submission and $200 for the publication cost
Submission Deadline: February 29, 2024
Area/s of Expertise: all academic concentrations and disciplines
Research Type: all types of academic research

This journal, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a multidisciplinary publication subject to faculty review. It showcases research contributions from high school, undergraduate, and graduate students across a diverse range of disciplines. The journal welcomes submissions covering applied and theoretical research in any field.

The Journal of Student Research (JSR) enjoys popularity among high school students owing to its inclusive approach to research topics. High school students can submit various forms of research projects, articles, posters, review articles, and even AP Capstone Research to JSR.

While we typically advise students to aim for more selective journals as primary targets, JSR serves as a reliable backup option for journals to publish your research. Drawing from our experience guiding numerous students through the submission process, we consider JSR best suited for this role due to its comparatively high acceptance rate. However, it’s important to note its extended publishing timeline, which typically spans around 6-7 months.

6. Journal of High School Science

Cost: free submission
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: science and social sciences
Research Type: original research, peer-review

The Journal of High School Science (JHSS) is a peer-reviewed STEAM publication that highlights the inventive ideas and contributions of high school students across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) disciplines. The Journal publishes original research and experiments featuring quantitative results. These results must stem directly from experimental observations, supported by thorough statistical analysis and a sufficiently large sample size.

While it offers a relatively high acceptance rate, making it a suitable backup option, it falls slightly below alternatives like the STEM Fellowship Journal and Journal of Emerging Investigators. Based on our experience, for students seeking a more dependable backup, we suggest considering NHSJS over JHSS. NHSJS holds a marginally higher level of selectivity compared to JHSS, enhancing its reliability as a secondary choice.

7. Young Scientist Journal

Cost: free submission
Submission Deadline: to be announced (typically every December)
Area/s of Expertise: all scientific fields
Research Type: original research, peer-review

Young Scientist is a publication aimed at acknowledging the remarkable accomplishments of high school scientists. It is a venture of the Vanderbilt Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach, a dedicated group committed to enriching scientific and technological literacy by fostering distinctive collaborations among Vanderbilt University scientists, K-12 educators and students, and the broader science community, both locally and globally.

YSJ stands as yet another of our selective recommendations for students who want to right high quality research in the field of science.

8. STEM Fellowship Journal

Cost: CAD 400 for publication
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: STEM
Research Type: original research, peer-review

The STEM Fellowship Journal welcomes original research and review articles authored by individual or group contributors, with or without mentorship input. This encompasses research spanning all domains of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), conducted by high school, undergraduate, and graduate students alike. Serving as the flagship platform for STEM Fellowship, the journal plays a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s core mission of fostering scholarly writing and publication among the emerging cohort of STEM researchers.

Although SFJ presents a valuable option, our observations suggest that the journal may sometimes experience delays in communication with submitting students. Additionally, while the review process previously operated on a 2-month timeline, this duration has lengthened to 4-5 months throughout 2022-2023. It’s essential to bear these factors in mind, particularly if you’re working within a tight deadline.

9. Hope Humanities Journal

Cost: $100 for publication
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: Social Sciences, Humanities
Research Type: original research, peer-review, literary pieces like reviews/critiques, poems, essays

HOPE, one of the easiest journals to publish your research in, serves as an online humanities platform accessible to all with an interest in the humanities. It offers an international, nonprofit academic forum to champion the humanities and celebrate the accomplishments of young writers. HOPE welcomes submissions of literature (including poetry and prose), research papers, art such as illustrations and photography, and editorials.

Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis, with issues published every two months. Accepted works are considered for inclusion in at least the subsequent two issues.

HOPE stands as another preferred choice for students in the humanities, following Schola.

10. Journal of Emerging Investigators

Cost: free
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: STEM
Research Type: original research, hypothesis-based research

The Journal of Emerging Investigators typically ranks as our top recommendation for students engaged in original STEM research. Notably affiliated with Harvard, JEI is renowned for its thorough review process, which may extend up to 7-8 months.

It’s crucial to note that JEI exclusively accepts original hypothesis-driven research. Furthermore, while the JEI website predominantly showcases STEM research, submissions from other disciplines are also welcomed. For example, if you conduct original research on topics such as financial markets or political preferences based on demographics, you can still submit to JEI.

JEI employs a review process akin to that of many professional scientific journals. However, we have tailored it to prioritize the educational journey of our student authors, who are likely navigating the intricacies of scientific writing and publishing for the first time. For further details on our review process, please refer to the following information.

11. Schola

Cost: $120 for publication
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: Social Science, Humanities
Research Type: original research, peer-review, literary pieces like reviews/critiques, poems, essays

Schola is a quarterly journal showcasing humanities and social sciences essays penned by high school students worldwide. Covering an extensive array of subjects within humanities and social sciences, Schola accepts essays exploring topics spanning philosophy, history, art history, English, economics, public policy, and sociology.

Essays submitted to Schola must address academic, answerable, and specific topics conducive to thorough examination within a 4,000-5,000-word format. Published essays and their respective authors are announced during the first week of each issue month, which occurs in March, June, September, and December. Subscribers gain access to all journals within the Archives.

Schola, another one of the journals to publish your research, stands out as one of our foremost recommendations for students keen on exploring social sciences and humanities, owing to its rigorous review process and discerning selection criteria. The journal consistently upholds a standard of publishing high-quality work.

12. Journal of Research High School

Cost: $100 for publication
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: mainly science and humanities but other concentrations are accepted
Research Type: Original research, peer-review, literature-review

The Journal of Research High School (JRHS) is an open-access online research journal dedicated to showcasing academic work crafted exclusively by high school researchers. With a focus on nurturing the future scientific community, JRHS provides a platform for high school students to share their research and writing expertise through quality journals and articles. Additionally, it encourages student engagement in disseminating research papers under the guidance of research advisors.

By serving as a stepping stone, JRHS facilitates the development of research skills among high school authors, setting them on a path toward becoming experienced researchers early in their academic journey. Moreover, it fosters an interactive environment where students can connect with peers and access their academic contributions.

JRHS welcomes original research and insightful literature reviews across various fields, including Engineering, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Social Sciences, among others, for potential publication.

13. Stanford Intersect

Cost: free
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: mostly STEM and humanities
Research Type: Original research, peer-review, book reviews and essays

Intersect, one of the journals to publish your research, is a globally recognized research journal in Science, Technology, and Society, managed by undergraduate students at Stanford University with support from the Program in STS at Stanford. It serves as a platform for publishing research and scholarship focused on the social dynamics that influence, support, or hinder research and innovation, while also exploring how these social forces are influenced by evolving science and technology.

Welcoming submissions from undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students, Intersect encourages interdisciplinary work at the intersection of disciplines such as history, culture, sociology, art, literature, business, law, health, and design with science and technology. While the journal’s submissions are not restricted to Stanford affiliates, they typically represent diverse perspectives from various continents.

Intersect publishes quarterly online at intersect.stanford.edu and is widely referenced in Google Scholar. As an open-access journal, it offers free access to its content to foster global knowledge exchange. Intersect aims to publish three times per academic year, typically at the conclusion of Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, and accepts submissions on a rolling basis.

14. Open Journal of Business and Management

Cost: $299 for publication
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economics
Research Type: Various forms of academic articles, including reviews, original research papers, and short reports

OJBM stands as an international journal dedicated to advancing the study of business and management. Its objective is to serve as a forum for scholars and educators worldwide to foster, exchange, and deliberate on emerging issues and developments across various domains of business and management.

We recommend OJBM, one of the best journals to publish your research, as a valuable resource for students with an interest in business studies and management. It is among the select few journals that welcome research contributions in these fields from high school students.

It’s worth noting the distinction we make between business and economics; certain economic concepts may not fall within the purview of business. Therefore, if your research pertains to financial markets, you may find IJHSR or JEI (mentioned in this blog) to be more suitable options.

15. Curieux Academic Journal

Cost: $159 for publication
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: STEM, Natural Science, Social Science, and Humanities
Research Type: This includes a range of scholarly works, such as research papers, review articles, and contributions in the humanities and social sciences.

Established in 2017, the Curieux Academic Journal is a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to publishing research by high school and middle school students. While based in California, they boast editors from across the nation.

Submitting your paper to Curieux presents an excellent opportunity to hone your skills in academic writing. They welcome submissions from all academic subjects, spanning the sciences and humanities.

Curieux embraces various forms of academic writing, including research papers, review articles, and contributions in the humanities and social sciences. With a monthly publication schedule, they release twelve issues annually. We often suggest Curieux as a secondary publication option for students engaged in research within the social sciences and humanities, given its comparatively higher acceptance rate.

16. Walt Whitman Journal of Psychology

Cost: free
Submission Deadline: March 20, 2024
Area/s of Expertise: Psychology and
Research Type: Original Research and Analysis writeups

The Whitman Journal of Psychology is a fully student-led publication that highlights research and literature reviews conducted by high school students in the field of psychology. With a global reach, the journal connects with hundreds of schools and psychology enthusiasts worldwide. It is electronically published and freely accessible to all readers.

Authors are required to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). The Journal retains the right to make adjustments to accepted submissions to ensure compliance with APA style. Manuscripts should not exceed 20 pages and must include a reference list and parenthetical citations following APA style guidelines.

17. The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal

Cost: free
Submission Deadline: rolling admissions
Area/s of Expertise: all academic field
Research Type: Original Research and Analysis writeups

The URJ, one of the journals to publish your research, is a peer-reviewed journal showcasing the research conducted by undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida across various disciplines. Established in 2007, the URJ has published over 100 articles authored by UCF undergraduate students. All undergraduates engaged in faculty-mentored research projects are encouraged to submit their work for potential publication.

Undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida have the opportunity to submit their research to The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal (URJ). Submissions must reflect work completed during the student’s enrollment as an undergraduate, although they may submit research for publication up to six months after graduation. Additionally, undergraduates from other institutions may submit to the URJ if the research conducted at the University of Central Florida is endorsed by a UCF faculty member. UCF undergraduates are also eligible to collaborate on papers with undergraduate and graduate students from other institutions, provided that the main author of the manuscript is from UCF.

18. Youth Medical Journal

Cost: free
Submission Deadline: submission is closed at the moment (typically opens in march)
Area/s of Expertise: medical science
Research Type: Original Research and academic commentaries

The Youth Medical Journal is a nonprofit, Diamond Open Access, and internationally student-run publication catering to students with a medical focus. Our platform consistently publishes peer-reviewed manuscripts across various medical specialties within their respective sub-journals.

Thepublication aims to cultivate the skills of budding researchers by adhering to the standards set by esteemed journals such as Nature, Frontiersin, Elsevier, The New England Journal of Medicine, British Medical Journal, Journal of the American Medical Association, and others. Additionally, they aspire to serve as a platform for students seeking to publish articles even before they have undergone any formal university or college courses. Nevertheless, the publication also welcomes submissions from students with formal research training and experience.

We’ve observed that this journal serves as a valuable starting point for students who are new to submitting research papers. However, during busy periods, they have previously halted submissions.

19. Critical Debates HSGJ

Cost: $10
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: Humanities, Science, and Global Justice
Research Type: Original Research, peer reviews

Emerging young scholars in high school from around the globe are invited to submit original scholarly work and/or well-balanced critical opinion perspectives for this peer-reviewed journal on critical debates facing society. Humanities enable understanding of the human experience, while science involves the pursuit of knowledge of the natural and social world through systematic scientific methodology. Student work may be connected to either area or both. Global justice involves the pursuit of theory and action to better understand the world, transcend borders, and acknowledge responsibilities towards it.

This is one of the journals to publish your research that aims to foster dialogue around critical viewpoints, lenses, and debates concerning pressing global issues. Submissions are encouraged to utilize diverse lenses to analyze pressing world problems, such as using math and science to understand public policy debates and using the humanities and arts to understand justice and human rights.

20. International Youth Neuroscience Association Journal

Cost: free
Submission Deadline: rolling
Area/s of Expertise: Neuroscience
Research Type: Original Research, peer reviews, academic commentary

The International Youth Neuroscience Association (IYNA) is a global, youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the next generation of neuroscientists. The mission of the organization is to introduce students to the excitement of scientific inquiry and enable them to explore the wonders of the brain. This mission involves providing high-quality, open-access opportunities for students to authentically pursue neuroscience. This is accomplished through hosting a variety of open-access, high-quality events, and programs, including Youth Neuroscience (a summer program), the IYNA Annual Ideathon, and Brain Bee Bootcamps. Additionally, young neuroscience enthusiasts have the opportunity to receive special training through a series of webinars and gain experience through publishing in the IYNA Journal.

Since its inception, the International Youth Neuroscience Association (IYNA) has worked to develop, refine, and distribute high-quality, accessible neuroscience resources. The organization particularly aims to address disparities in neuroscience education resulting from socioeconomic and geographic differences.

What are the Publishing Options Available for High School Students?

1. Peer-Reviewed Journals

These journals undergo the peer review process, wherein authors submit their work to the journal, and the journal’s editors forward the work to a group of independent experts in the same field or discipline, typically grad students or other scientists with advanced degrees. These experts, known as peer reviewers, assess the work based on predetermined criteria, including research quality, methodology validity, data accuracy, and findings originality. Peer reviewers may offer suggestions for revisions or leave comments, but ultimately, editors determine which suggestions to provide to the author.

Upon receiving suggestions, authors have the opportunity to make revisions before submitting their final work back to the journal. The editor then decides whether to publish the work or not.

2. Non Peer-Reviewed Journals

Non-peer-reviewed journals refer to publications that do not undergo a formal review process by independent experts in the field before publication. While peer-reviewed journals are often regarded as more credible and prestigious due to the rigorous evaluation process, non-peer-reviewed journals offer advantages such as expedited publishing timelines and greater accessibility for authors.

Although peer-reviewed journals uphold higher standards of quality and validity, the review process can be time-consuming and may delay the publication of your work. In contrast, non-peer-reviewed journals typically offer quicker turnaround times, making them a convenient option for authors who are pressed for time, particularly when preparing college applications or seeking timely dissemination of their research findings.

While the credibility and prestige associated with peer-reviewed journals are undeniable, the choice between peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed journals ultimately depends on the author’s priorities and objectives, balancing factors such as credibility, speed of publication, and the targeted audience’s preferences.

3. Pre Print Archives

Preprint archives, also known as preprint servers, are online platforms where student researchers can freely upload and disseminate their research papers without undergoing any formal review process. These archives provide a means for students to swiftly share their findings with the scientific community, facilitating rapid dissemination of research and enabling scholars to receive feedback on their work.

One of the key advantages of preprint archives is the ability to quickly share research findings while awaiting publication in peer-reviewed journals. Unlike traditional journal submission processes, which often entail lengthy review timelines spanning several months, preprint archives offer a more expedited route for sharing research outcomes.

Importantly, sharing work on a preprint archive does not preclude or hinder subsequent submission to a peer-reviewed journal. Authors retain the option to submit their work for formal review and publication in academic journals after sharing it on a preprint server. This flexibility allows researchers to engage with both the preprint and peer-reviewed publication processes, maximizing the visibility and impact of their research within the scientific community.

How to Submit to Multiple Journals

Developing a strategy for submitting your research paper to multiple journals can optimize your chances of publication and ensure efficient use of resources. It’s important to recognize that a paper can only be published in one peer-reviewed journal; simultaneous submission to multiple journals is generally prohibited and may hinder publication opportunities.

However, if your paper is not accepted by one journal, you retain the freedom to submit it to alternative journals for consideration. As such, it’s advisable to approach the submission process with a thoughtful strategy in mind.

Begin by identifying your ideal publication venue and considering potential backup options. Reflect on factors such as the journal’s scope, audience, impact factor, and prestige to determine your preferences. While aiming for your top choice journal, it’s prudent to have contingency plans in place, including secondary and tertiary journal options.

Preprint archives, such as arXiv and the Research Archive of Rising Scholars, offer an additional avenue for sharing your research before peer-reviewed publication. Posting your work on a preprint server enables you to establish a presence in your research field, solicit feedback from the community, and garner early recognition for your findings. It’s worth noting, however, that reputable preprint servers typically recommend posting your preprint on only one platform to avoid confusion or duplication.

By carefully strategizing your journal submissions and considering preprint options, you can navigate the publication process effectively and maximize the visibility and impact of your research within the academic community.

Sending to multiple journals at one time? Consider this.

Simultaneous submission to multiple journals is generally discouraged because it can lead to ethical issues and conflicts. Most journals have policies against simultaneous submission to prevent duplicate publication and ensure fairness in the review process. Submitting to multiple journals at once can also waste resources and time for both authors and editors, as multiple journals may end up reviewing the same manuscript simultaneously. Therefore, it’s best to follow the guidelines of each journal and submit your manuscript to one journal at a time.

Final Thoughts

Journals serve as vital platforms for disseminating scholarly research and fostering intellectual discourse. For high school students, these journals to publish your research not only validate their research efforts but also offer a gateway to broader recognition within their respective fields. Beyond the intrinsic value of contributing to the body of knowledge, publishing in journals can enhance college admissions prospects by demonstrating initiative, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to academic excellence.

Admissions committees often view published research as a testament to a student’s academic potential and readiness for higher education, setting applicants apart in a competitive admissions landscape. Through this exploration of journals tailored to high school researchers, you’ll discover opportunities to elevate your academic profile and make meaningful contributions to your chosen field of study.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!