* Academic rigor: Schools with extremely demanding coursework, high expectations, and intense pressure to achieve top grades. These often have highly selective admissions processes.
* Discipline: Schools with very harsh punishment systems for rule violations, ranging from dress code infractions to academic dishonesty. Some might use corporal punishment (though this is illegal in many places).
* Social rules: Schools with highly restrictive rules on student behavior, social interaction, and personal expression. These might have limitations on things like dating, hair styles, or clothing.
* Religious affiliation: Some religious schools have very strict codes of conduct based on their faith.
To find a school considered "strict," you'd need to specify which aspect of strictness you're interested in and then research schools known for that characteristic. Many military academies, some boarding schools, and certain religious schools are often cited as examples of stricter environments, but even within those categories, there's significant variation.