Righteousness over words in play in high school (8)
I believe the answer is:
holiness
'righteousness' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'words in play in high school' is the wordplay.
'words in play' becomes 'olines' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'high school' becomes 'hs'.
'olines' put inside 'hs' is 'HOLINESS'.
'over' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for holiness that I've seen before include "State of spiritual excellence" , "State of sanctity" , "Goodness!" , "Piety" , "purity" .)