Founded 2026 A Registered 501(c)(3) Nonprofit TISSR

The InternationalSecondary ScholarshipReview

Humanities and Social Sciences

Vol. I No. 1 Spring 2026 Six Papers Scholar-Reviewed

Contents — Volume I, Issue I

  1. Jamie Cho ’27 Westlake High School California, United States

  2. Alexander Carragher ’27 Notre Dame High School California, United States

  3. Sean Desind ’28 Oaks Christian School California, United States

  4. Axel Ostergard ’27 Westlake High School California, United States

  5. Ollie Marquez ’29 Harvard-Westlake School California, United States

  6. Caesar: A New Kind of Leader

    / Ancient History

    Jack Fischer ’28 Notre Dame High School California, United States

The Standard

A paper is not accepted here because a student wrote it. It is accepted because it survives the question a specialist would actually ask.
From the Editors’ Statement, Volume I

On Review

Every submission is read blind by two referees who study or have studied the subject at a top-twenty national university. Neither knows the author’s name, school, or country.

  1. Editorial screen

    An editor confirms the paper makes an argument, cites primary or scholarly sources, and falls within the disciplines we publish. Roughly 15 percent of submissions stop here.

  2. Double-blind referee reading

    Two referees assess the paper independently against the norms of its own field — not against expectations for a student writer. Each returns a written report recommending accept or decline.

  3. Adjudication and decision

    Where the two referees disagree substantively, a third settles it. The reports go to the author in full, whatever the outcome.

The full process

Submissions

Open to any student enrolled in secondary school at the time of submission, anywhere in the world. Submission is $64.99, waived in full for students for whom the fee is a barrier.

Volume I, Issue II is open for submissions in the humanities, social sciences, history, philosophy, economics, and the arts. Issue I ran to six papers; Issue II expands to eight.

Deadline
15 September 2026, 23:59 UTC
Length
2,000–8,000 words, excluding notes and bibliography
Citation
Chicago notes-bibliography, or the standard of your discipline
Eligibility
Enrolled in secondary school on the day you submit
Submission fee
$64.99, with need-based waivers granted in full
Fast-track
An additional $55.00, for a total of $119.99, for a decision within 14 days of submission

Submission guidelines