For much of the history of the United States, most people did not go to high school. Today, high school is a normal part of a student’s education. The four years of high school are ninth to twelfth grade. The students are freshmen (ages between 13-15), sophom*ores (14-16), juniors (15-17), and seniors (16-18). Each year has different experiences.
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A Brief History of Education in America
The average student in the United States today goes to school for about thirteen years from kindergarten to twelfth grade. This was not always the case.
In colonial times, few children had many years of schooling. School was important for the basics, the three “rs” of reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Reading was important to be able to understand the Bible. Basic writing and knowing your numbers might be useful at the store. Only a small group, often taught by private tutors, learned more than that. Only a small elite went to college.
In time, a more complete education for each person became an important goal. Education was necessary to thrive in a more complex world. It was also important to be a good citizen. Students of a variety of races, sexes, and beliefs came together and learned together.
Adulthood now came at eighteen when you had the right to vote and it was time to leave school. Many continue their education in college, now much more part of a person’s life.
Education In the United States Today
The United States has a federalist system that divides powers between local and national governments. The states and territories have a lot of discretion over education.
Nonetheless, some general national rules and practices are standard practice. There is no national rule, for instance, that education should begin when a child is about five years old (with many starting earlier) and end when they are between sixteen and eighteen.
But, that is the norm today. Students start in kindergarten (meaning “children’s garden”) and then have twelve more years of school. The first eight years (often split into elementary and middle school or junior high) are the first or primary stages of education.
Students then have secondary (second stage) education, also known as high school. Sometimes, students go to special schools, including vocational schools to learn a trade.
They might go to government-run schools (public schools) or private schools, including religious schools (sometimes known as parochial schools). I went to both. The Supreme Court has held that parents have the right to choose not to send children to public schools.
High School Basics
High school is both an exciting and stressful time for students. They are growing up, experiencing new things, and preparing for college and adulthood.
Students have some flexibility. They have to take certain core courses in English, math, social studies, science, and languages. But, they also can take many electives, play various sports, and join a variety of clubs. Cheers to all the teachers and staff helping them.
High school is usually four years. Students are about 14-18 years old. They go to ninth to twelfth grades also known as the freshman, sophom*ore, junior, and senior years.
9th Grade (Freshman) (13-15)
The age a person starts and ends high school often depends on their birthday. My birthday is in November, so I started high school a bit early. I was 14 in November in my freshman year.
A student begins high school “fresh” and a bit raw to be honest. They are sometimes nicknamed “frosh” and the older students (upperclassmen) might tease them.
The first year in high school is a time for students to adapt and adjust. The school might be bigger and scarier. They need to learn how the study habits necessary to do well. Freshmen also start to examine extracurriculars the school has to offer.
Also, this is a time to determine proper student placement, based on their academic abilities and other needs. Beginnings are a messy but exciting time.
10th Grade (Sophom*ore) (14-16)
Students are now more comfortable with high school. Some might be a bit full of themselves, however, and that is why they are called sophom*ores (“wise fools”).
Sophom*ores continue to take the same basic courses. The subjects usually are broken up so each year has something different. For instance, I took biology, chemistry, and physics in different years. Likewise, you can learn different types of history and math each year.
11th Grade (Juniors) (15-17)
Students are now in the groove of high school. They are not quite done, however, and are preparing for the final stretch. They are “juniors” or younger than the oldest students.
Juniors are starting to decide what is next. They are starting to make college-related decisions, preparing for and taking important tests, and are concerned about the junior prom.
12th Grade (Seniors) (16-18)
Seniors are the oldest. They are the senior citizens of high school.
Seniors are finishing their studies and making the final arrangements for life after high school. There are many options. Not everyone goes to college. Some do not graduate for a range of reasons. Others decide to wait and see what they will do.
After High School
My grandfather started to work and care for his family after eighth grade. He did not go to high school. Meanwhile, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren did not only go to high school, but also college, and in multiple cases, more schooling after that.
High school is an important part of growing up. Why else would so many movies and television shows pay so much attention to it? But, it is not the end of the line.
There is a whole lot more of life to come. Don’t worry. Many reading this will have a ways to go before worrying about that! If so, enjoy the experience and get the most you can out of it.
