I find it strange that you listed high school as being distinct from high class, when both have the same non-literal meaning of "high". Maybe it's a cultural t

I find it strange that you listed high school as being distinct from high class, when both have the same non-literal meaning of "high". Maybe it's a cultural thing, but I pronounce both high class and high school without a pause, and with emphasis on both the high and the class / school.