How can I tell if he likes me or just thinks I'm cute?

Does he talk to you any way besides flirty? Has he asked you any questions about your self so he can get to know you? Has he ever asked you about one of your classes, or about anything about school?

If he is interested in you, he’ll talk to you in an effort to get to know you. Otherwise he is probably just flirting.

Remember though: he may really like you but not be confident enough to get to know you. Boys are just as nervous baout talking to girls, even younger girls, as girls are about talking to boys. Be patient.

Have your friends ask his friends. Isn’t that typical high school protocal? Or have things changed since my high school days?

Maybe he likes you but his parents want him to finish high school first before dating.

I think @Katniss has it right.

One thing to bear in mind about gender realtions is that guys are generally not as subtle nor nearly as complex as gals. There is a lot less, “Does she, or doesn’t she?”, and if he actually does like you but you take too long, he might lose interest and move on. I can appreciate not being too direct, don’t make it overly complicated either. Most guys I know (myself included) like it simpler. I think @zenvelo has it right about possible shyness though, so maybe your best moce would be to talks to him casually and saee what happens. If he’s being shy, seeming approachable will get him to open up and at least give you a better idea of where you stand with him.You wouldn’t have to come right out and ask if he liked you then; it’d be pretty obvious.

What is the age difference here? ‘Cause, you know, even three years can be enough to put you on a sex offender list in some states. At least if you have sex, which I presume most couples do.

He’s finding out. Men tend to act with us the way we do with lipstick. Some you look at, put back, and move on. Some you dab a little on your hand to see if you like it. Some you like enough to take home and give it a shot. When you find one you really like, and your friends are envious, you stick with it. Sometimes you see a color you like, and ask your friend about hers.
He is checking you out on the back of his hand, sort of, and he’ll decide if you appeal enough to him to spend some real time with you.
Flirting is great fun, and a good icebreaker, but if he doesn’t see more in you, he will never think of you as anything but that flirty girl. You need to expose him to some level conversation. Let him see you have more to you than occasional witty comments.
He is older than you, sometime ask him about a teacher or class you have ahead of you. Tell him you are nervous about something being too hard for you, and what did he think of it, that kind of thing.
Whatever you do, don’t be that funny, trendy lipstick which one girl gets, passes around to all her friends, laughs about it, then ditches it. Be more real, more keepable.

Time will tell.

Why are the choices mutually exclusive?