Public high school
A
public high school is a
high school that is funded by the government using income from
taxes. Most high schools in the
United States are for students between the 9th and 12th grades, or approximately 14 to 18 years old. In the USA, most grade levels are referred to with pet names, instead of by number. These are generally:
freshman for 9th grade (though some schools are changing this for more
gender-neutral alternatives),
sophomore for 10th grade,
junior for 11th grade and
senior for 12th grade.
Public education encourages an acceptance of diversity less common in privately funded schools, because no one can be denied education in public schools (although challenges to this have been made in the past, the most famous being that of
segregation). Curriculum guidelines are determined by the
state and
county government, though each school determines their own curriculum based on these guidelines.
The stated purpose of public high schools is to prepare students for post-secondary education (i.e.
vocational school or
technical school,
community college or
junior college, and
university). Schools also provide open forums for communication between students, teachers, administration, and parents. The format of these schools can provide for
interaction between students and teachers, thus teaching adolescents how to deal with adults beyond their immediate family.
Public schools also allow for variation in programs, including
magnet programs (which allow students to study the basics of a given career or career field) or
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (a rigorous academic program). There are several levels of coursework, as well, including regular or average coursework (taught on the high school level), advanced or
honors coursework (taught on an advanced high school level),
Advanced Placement (college-level work taught in a high school-level setting. Tests are administered over the course of two weeks at the end of the academic year that give high school students the opportunity to earn college credit),
dual enrollment (college courses available to high school students for free; a passing grade ensures both college and high school credit), and remedial classes (for students that need extra attention to meet benchmarks).
Public high schools also provide many extra-curricular activities for students to participate in. These allow students to form friendships with people they might not otherwise meet, and to pursue or further develop interests. Some national clubs and activities available to most schools include:
*
Band*
DECA*
FBLA*
National Honor Society*
Orchestra*
National Forensic League *Speech and Debate
*
Science Olympiad*
Student Council*
Public school
