Publishing historical research in high school allows students to demonstrate advanced analytical thinking, master primary and secondary sources, and submit college-level academic writing. By selecting an appropriate journal, refining a focused research question, and engaging in rigorous revisions, students can transform a mere historical curiosity into a polished, publication-ready paper that strengthens both their intellectual development and future academic opportunities.
How to Choose a Research Journal
Choosing the right publication venue is just as important as writing a strong research paper. A well-matched journal increases your likelihood of acceptance. It ensures your work reaches the right audience and strengthens your academic profile. Below are key factors to evaluate carefully before submitting:
Academic Fit
Before submitting any paper, students should evaluate whether their specific type of historical research aligns with the journal’s scope and expectations. Some journals emphasize history, while others publish broader work in the humanities or social sciences.
A journal that regularly publishes papers similar to yours will more likely value your methodology and argument structure. Reviewing previously published articles in research journals can help you assess your tone, scope, and expectations.
Selectivity Level
Some publications are highly selective and expect near-college-level scholarships, while others are developmental and designed to support emerging researchers. Highly selective journals can significantly strengthen a college application, but they also require substantial preparation, revision, and mentorship.
Publication Timeline
For students who are applying to college, the publication timeline is an important point to consider. If their work is published, students want to showcase their achievements in their college application to reinforce their interest in their intended majors. Most of the time, journals take 2-3 months for the initial feedback, then additional months for revisions and final publication. If you are submitting during junior year, plan backward from college deadlines to ensure realistic expectations.
If you are still refining your topic, start by exploring strong ideas in research journals and reviewing sample themes from 40 Interesting Historical Research Topics. Students looking to deepen their academic exposure may also consider structured enrichment through 11 History Summer Programs or gain recognition through 7 History Competitions, which often serve as strong stepping stones to publication.
The strongest submissions typically emerge from sustained mentorship, careful analysis of primary sources, and multiple rounds of revisions. With strategic preparation and thoughtful journal selection, high school historians can successfully contribute to scholarly conversations well before college.
Aralia Students Are 4x More Likely to Publish a Research Paper
1. The Concord Review
The Concord Review (TCR) is the most prestigious journal for high school students in the social sciences. Many TCR authors have also gone to prestigious universities and colleges across the U.S. and worldwide.
In the spring issue, the quarterly journal published 1,362 research papers by authors from 46 states and 41 countries. If you’re interested in being one of them, Aralia published the Guide to the Concord Review to help students submit to the Concord Review.
Competition Format: All essays should be on a historical topic, covering any period from ancient to modern and any area, domestic or foreign. Essay submissions must be 5,000-9,000 words, with Chicago-style endnotes and a bibliography. The student must be the sole author of the submission, and the research paper may not be published elsewhere except for a publication of the secondary school the student attends. Students can submit more than one research paper.
Eligibility: Secondary students from all countries and schools can participate.
Deadline:
- Summer Issue – February 1
- Fall Issue – May 1
- Winter Issue – August 1
- Spring Issue – November 1
Fee: Ranges from $70 to $150, depending on the membership level students choose. Each author who submits a paper and submission fee receives the next four issues of the journal in eBook (or print for $30).
Membership Details (Annual Fee):
- Author – eBook – $70.00: With your essay submission fee of $70, you will receive a complimentary 1-year subscription to the Electronic (eBook) Edition of The Concord Review. You can choose the Print Edition instead for an additional $30 + shipping and handling.
- Author – Print US – $110.00: Your essay submission fee of $100 + includes a 1-year subscription to the Print Edition of The Concord Review delivered to your US address.
- Author – Print International – $150.00: Your essay submission fee of $100 + includes 1 year subscription to the Print Edition of The Concord Review delivered to your address outside the United States.
Journal Website: https://tcr.org/
2. The Schola
The Schola is a rigorous academic journal of high school scholarship in the humanities and social sciences. It is recognized as a leading publication in its niche, thereby considered a meaningful distinction by top-tier college admissions committees.
Submission Guidelines: The essay must be a maximum of 8,000 words, written in English. The student should be the sole author of the paper. Topics may include philosophy, history, art history, economics, political theory, comparative government, public policy, international relations, or sociology. The review process can take up to 7 months to complete, meaning that once students submit their essays, they will be considered for the next three quarterly issues.
Full details on submission guidelines are available here.
Fee: $180
Eligibility: The Schola accepts submissions from high school students around the world.
Deadline: Essays are accepted year-round.
3. Oxford Journal of Student Scholarship (OJSS)
The Oxford Journal of Student Scholarship (OJSS) is a selective, peer-reviewed academic journal that publishes high-quality research from secondary school and undergraduate students. It welcomes original work across a wide range of disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering, medicine, social sciences, humanities, business, and law, with a strong emphasis on rigorous argumentation and original scholarship. By embracing such a broad scope, OJSS seeks to highlight the diversity and depth of student research while encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue.
Submission Guidelines:
- Abstract: 150–300 words summarizing purpose, methods, and conclusions
- Length: 2,000–8,000 words (exceptions possible)
- Citations: Any standard academic style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.), used consistently
Accepted types of papers:
- Original Research Articles (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion structure)
- Literature Reviews (critical synthesis of existing research)
Fees & Timelines:
- Standard APC: $200 (due after acceptance; 8–12 week review)
- Fast Track Review: $125 (2-week initial review; non-refundable; does not guarantee acceptance)
More details here: https://www.oxfordjss.org/
4. Journal of Student Research
The Journal of Student Research (JSR), an academic, multidisciplinary, and faculty-reviewed journal, is based in Houston, Texas. This journal is devoted to the rapid dissemination of current research published by high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Over 2,000 student authors from high schools and universities worldwide have had their work published in JSR.
Accepted Types of Submissions: AP Research Articles, IB Articles, Honors Research Articles, Research Articles, Review Articles, Research Projects, Research Posters
Eligibility: High school students
Fee: $50 at submission for pre-review, and $299 post-review for articles chosen for publication upon notifying the authors.
Students can also choose Fast Track Review for an additional charge, but their work will be reviewed in 5-6 weeks.
Deadline: Rolling basis
Estimated Timeline: 12-24 weeks
Journal Website: https://www.jsr.org/index.php/path
5. The Young Researcher
The Young Researcher is a peer-reviewed journal for secondary school students. The editorial board includes expert researchers – typically academics who serve as professors at universities, or individuals with extensive research and publication experience.
Submission Guidelines:
- Submissions should be no more than 5,000 words, excluding references and appendices (in English).
- The paper can be formatted in any acceptable citation style (MLA, APA, and Chicago).
- Upon submission, at least three expert editors will review the submission and will provide revisions upon selection for publication.
Fee: FREE
Submission Timeline:
- Reading period: January to April 30 (no late submissions).
- Editorial decisions are typically sent by the fourth week of May.
The journal is not currently accepting any new submissions.
6. Critical Debates in Humanities, Science, and Global Justice
Hosted by Adelphi University, The Critical Debates in Humanities, Science, and Global Justice Journal has its doors open for high school students to submit original scholarly work and share academic perspectives on critical topics for debates that face society.
Submission Deadline:
- Spring Issue: April 25, 2026
- Summer Issue: July 30, 2026
- Winter Issue: December 10, 2026
Article Types:
- Research Articles (maximum 5,000 words)
- Academic Blogs (1,500 – 4,000 words)
Critical Debates in Humanities, Science, and Global Justice website.
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7. The Journal of Research High School
The Journal of Research High School (JRHS) is an open-access online research journal that seeks to offer a representation of the future scientific community mainly for high school students. The editors are volunteers with backgrounds as professional scientists, researchers, teachers, and professors in various disciplines. Approximately 30% of submitted papers have been published.
Eligibility: High school students
Accepted research topics: Engineering, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Social Sciences.
Manuscript types: Original Research and Review Articles
Fee: $350 per manuscript
Deadline: Rolling admissions
The general timeline is approximately 3-6 months.
For students who are interested in summer programs, we have also published an article 7 Humanities Summer Programs for High School Students.
8. International Journal of High School Research
The International Journal of High School Research (IJHSR) is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal established in 2019. It welcomes submissions across all areas of science and related disciplines, including behavioral and social sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The journal primarily publishes articles presenting experimental data with novel findings. The publication notes that its literature review process is highly selective, publishing only 2–3 articles per issue (i.e., 6 issues per year).
Submission Guidelines: Students may submit articles to either the research or review sections. Research articles should present original research and new experimental data.
Review articles undergo a highly selective process, with a limit of 2-3 per issue. There is no page limit for submissions.
Fee: Upon acceptance for publication, students will pay $200. A copy of the printed journal will be mailed to the author.
Evaluation Progress: After submitting your paper, the Editor-in-Chief will first check for format, styling, and citations, and may send it back to the author for corrections. Next, your paper will be reviewed for publication by two or more outside experts in the respective field. After review, you will be notified whether your paper is accepted or rejected.
If your paper gets accepted, payment will be requested. Once paid, the paper goes to copy editors and then to production. The whole process may take 2-4 months.
Deadline: IJHSR accepts submissions on a rolling basis.
Publish Your Historical Research Paper With Aralia
At Aralia Education, students work with experienced instructors, including former faculty from leading U.S. boarding schools and universities, to develop original research papers ready for submission to journals such as The Concord Review, The Schola, and other selective publications.
