The Most Misspelled Words in Yearbooks (And How to Catch Them)
At Remember Me Yearbooks, we know how much heart and hustle go into building a beautiful school yearbook. From senior quotes to spirit week photos, every detail matters. But nothing takes the shine off a page faster than a spelling mistake—especially one that slips through on a student’s name or an important school event.
We’ve seen it all over the years, and we’re here to help you avoid the most common trip-ups. Here’s your go-to guide for the most frequently misspelled words in yearbooks, plus tips to catch them before you hit “submit.”
1. Student & Staff Names
Let’s be honest—this is the #1 most common mistake we see in school yearbooks. Whether it’s a first name, last name, or nickname, even the smallest typo can lead to big disappointment.
Pro Tip: Always verify against an official class list or school database. Don’t rely on memory or last year’s book!
2. Everyday Words That Are Surprisingly Tricky
These words sneak past spellcheck all the time:
Definitely (not definately)
Separate (not seperate)
Embarrass (yes, two “r”s and two “s”s)
Achievement (watch out for acheivement)
Congratulations (not congradulations—unless you're writing a pun)
3. School & Academic Terms
Some school-specific words are just plain tricky:
Superintendent
Valedictorian
Principal (not principle)
Counselor (not councelor)
Curriculum
Extracurricular
Pro Tip: Keep a running list of frequently used school terms with the correct spellings for your staff to reference throughout the year.
4. Clubs & Event Names
Club names and event titles often get personalized, but that can lead to inconsistencies:
Homecoming
Pep rally (not peprally)
Promenade
National Honor Society
Entrepreneurship Club
Double-check spelling with club advisors or event sponsors. Even if it’s a fun theme, the foundation should be spelled correctly.
5. Sports Terms
Whether it's game day or practice, make sure your athletic coverage is just as sharp as your photos:
Athletic
Wrestling (not restling)
Varsity
Basketball (avoid basktball or b-ball in formal text)
Cheerleading
Final Tip: Proof With Purpose
Spellcheck is helpful, but it won’t catch:
Wrong names
Misused words (there vs. their)
Inconsistent event titles
Build a custom proofing checklist for your staff and assign a few eagle-eyed editors to focus just on spelling and names. If you’re using our Creator Studio Lite software, take advantage of the layout preview feature—it’s a great way to catch things that might go unnoticed in edit mode.
At Remember Me Yearbooks, we’re not just about fast delivery—we’re about getting it right.