High School in the United States

By Hannah BeltranMoreau Catholic ‘12

What is high school?

Introduction to High SchoolHigh school is the American form of secondary education.

It consists of grades 9 through 12. It is the last leg of compulsory education in the United States. There are a myriad of schooling options available to fit each student’s needs,

including private schools (ex. Moreau Catholic), public (government-subsidized) schools, and online distance education, among many others.

SNAPAshot of the High School Experience

• Monday through Friday, typically between the hours of 8:00 A.M. to 3 P.M.• A mid-morning break• One mid-day lunch break around 12:00 P.M.

School is in session…

• Begins August/September• Various holidays throughout the year, both school and government-mandated

(Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.)• Winter break from late December to early January• Spring break around April• Exception: Year-round schools, rare as they are, follow a different schedule

When’s break?

• Although this varies by school and year, high school students take between five and seven classes each year

A day in the life?

Moreau Catholic H

igh School Schedules

Moreau Catholic H

igh School Schedules (continued)

Timeline of the High

School Experience

9th Grade:

FRESHMAN

10th Grade: SOPHOMORE

11th Grade:

JUNIOR

12th Grade:SENIOR!

9th Grade and 10th Grade9th grade is the freshman year of high school.

For many high school students, this is a period of great transition – a new school, new teachers, new classes, and new peers with which one becomes acquainted.

10th grade is the sophomore year of high school. While there are not many striking differences between the freshman and

sophomore years of high school, the sophomore year of high school is a great year to begin charting one’s course for the rest of his or her high school years.

11th Grade11th grade is the junior year of high school.

Congratulations! You’ve made it through half of your high school journey! This is where high school gets a bit more challenging, in particular for those intending to pursue a college education. Everything you do begins to matter just a little bit more…

12th Grade (my grade)12th grade is the senior year of high school.

Congratulate yourself once more! You’re nearly finished with your high school career. Fulfill your remaining graduation requirements, confirm your post-graduation plans, and head off to the rest of your life!

The Academic Side

A Screenshot of My School’s Graduation

Requirements (taken from their

website)

Classes I’ve Taken in Previous Years

Freshman Year

Physical Science

Spanish I

Freshman Honors English

Girls’ P.E./Health

Freshman Theology

Chorus

Algebra I

Sophomore Year

Honors Spanish II

Concert Choir

AP Biology

Honors Geometry

Honors World History

Sophomore Honors English

Christology (Semester 1), Moral Theology (Semester

2)

Junior Year

AP Statistics

Major Religions of the World (Semester 1), Prophecy and

Apocalyptic Literature (Semester 2)

AP Chemistry

Junior Honors English

AP U.S. History

Honors Choir

Honors Spanish III

Semester 1

• AP Physics B• Catholic Social Teaching• Film/Video Arts I• AP English Literature• AP Spanish Language• Honors Choir• Intermediate P.E.• AP Calculus AB

Semester 2

• AP Physics B• Intermediate P.E.• AP Macroeconomics• AP English Literature• AP Spanish Language• Honors Choir• AP U.S. Government• AP Calculus AB

My study routine varies by the subject I’m studying and my mood at the moment. These are a few things I’ve noticed about my study habits. Doing all my assigned homework is

usually enough to get me through a test or quiz.

Studying with resources posted on the Internet by both my teachers and other teachers helps me immensely.

Reading through my textbooks to capture main ideas is a great way to review for my exams.

Since I take a lot of AP classes, review books are also helpful.

My classmates and teachers are usually a great help.

Grades…

[Out]side the

Classroom

School is great, but your high school years involve so much more than academics.

Some of the things I do outside of the classroom…(=

Choir!

Community Service!

Write!

There are so many other things high school students can do outside of the classroom. Sports: There are sports teams both in your school and outside your school that you

can join. All levels are accommodated in some way. Clubs: Most high schools have teacher-moderated clubs focusing on various

interests, from cultures (French, Filipino, Chinese, etc.) to chess to anime. ANYTHING: The possibilities are endless. I can’t even begin to tell you their extents,

for there are none. ^^

Other things students can do…

What happens after high school?

The world is at your fingertips!

(No, really.)

Post-Secondary EducationWhile education beyond high school is not mandatory in the United States,

it is a path chosen by about 68 percent of recent high school graduates. America provides various options for students wishing to enroll in an

institution of higher learning.

College is not something to be afraid of, however.

Tips for the College-Bound Student:

How to Maintain Your Sanity and Avoid Getting Lost in the

Shuffle:D

Assess your strengths (and weaknesses), then plan a junior year schedule to reflect these strengths. If you feel exceptionally talented in a certain subject, such as mathematics or history, consider taking the advanced levels of those respective courses when you find them available to you:

- Honors: The most similar to a regular high school course, but with a lot more in-depth study- Advanced Placement (often seen abbreviated as AP): A

selection of 34 courses and respective exams intended to introduce high school students to introductory college-level material. Depending on the intended college’s policy, a student who passes one or more of these exams may be eligible to earn college credit in the respective courses. Very popular and widely available in America.

- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (often seen abbreviated as IB Diploma Programme): An internationally

recognized program requiring students to take six higher-level courses, a minimum of one in each of five subject areas, and pass their respective exams. Less popular and not as widely available in America.

Kitty says:

Ask Yourself:“What do I want to do

with my life?”

This is a crucial question that all high school students, college-bound or otherwise must face before graduating and moving on to the real world. For college-bound students, it helps to consider these points.

–> Think about your interests and goals for the future. It is best to choose a path that in some way combines these two. After all, you are making a decision that will remain with you for the rest of

your life.–> Now consider possible majors that match your interests and goals. What careers do you see yourself doing with these majors?–> A note about pragmatism…

• Choosing a career for the money and lifestyle it appears to promise may seem tempting, but do beware. As articulated above, this decision will affect the rest of your life. At the same time, don’t go completely on a

whim with your life in the balance.The point? Regardless of what you do, be prepared to work for your success.

Get Standardized Testing

in Order

Although it has been the occasional subject of controversy among more progressive groups, standardized testing is still a requirement for many schools, and for good reason. Since the American college admissions system involves so many different factors, quantitative data allows admissions officials to get an idea where each student falls in the prospective pool of applicants. While an admission decision does not solely rest on these test scores, they are nonetheless important.

There are two types of standardized tests typically required for college admission: the SAT (Standard

Achievement Test) I and the ACT (American College Test). While colleges generally require one, it is

common for students to take both tests and use their better score. On the next slide is a chart outlining the

differences between the two tests.

An SAT-ACT Comparison Chart

More Tests to Be Aware

OfPSAT• The PSAT, or Preliminary Standard Aptitude Test, tests some of the same

content as the SAT. While it is generally not required by colleges, it gives one a good idea how the real thing will be like and how one will likely perform on it.

SAT II Subject Tests• The SAT II Subject Tests are just what their name implies – tests on various high

school subjects (20, in fact). Some colleges require them, mainly for course placement in the freshman year of university.

TOEFL• If you are an international student applying to college in America, you will

likely need to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) to test your aptitude in English. Some exceptions are made, mostly for students who come from a country in which English is already widely spoken, such as England or Canada.

Disclaimer! :O

Before proceeding with

your college applications and entrance exams, make sure you’re

aware of your prospective

school’s policies. While there is a

general consensus in

regards to what each college requires for

admission, many schools have

slightly different requirements.

Institutions of Higher Education in the United States

Trade School

2-Year Community

College/Junior College

4-Year College/Uni

versity

Trade School• Seeking a vocational career in a career like

cosmetology (hairdressing, makeup artistry, etc.), automotive technology, or the like? This is the school for you.

Community College/Junior College• Didn’t do so well in high school? No need to worry! You can

redeem yourself with two years at a community college (which will grant you an Associate’s Degree) and then transfer to a university for the remainder of your degree.

4-Year College/University• You’ve worked hard and made it to the start of your collegiate career.

Take advantage of all your college’s resources, and, most importantly, make good use of your time here. Before you know it, you’ll be receiving your Bachelor’s Degree, which will grant you access to a multitude of professional opportunities.

A Closer [Look] Into Four-Year Colleges and Universities

There are different types of colleges and universities in America.• Private

• Private schools are just what their names imply – privately owned schools. Some are nonsectarian (not religiously affiliated), and some are religiously affiliated.

• Public• Public schools are institutions that rely on

government funding. Most are big universities, but a select few are liberal arts colleges, which will be discussed below.

• University• Universities are often giant institutions

offering every level of higher education, from the undergraduate level to the graduate school level. There are both private and public universities.

• Liberal Arts Colleges• Liberal arts colleges are generally small and

focused on the undergraduate (bachelor’s degree-earning) population. They are usually private.

Baylor University UC Riverside UC Santa

Barbara

UC Santa Cruz Fordham University

Indiana University,

Bloomington

Loyola Marymount University

Marquette University

University of Massachusetts,

Amherst

Michigan State University

Purdue University

University of San Diego

Temple University

Texas Christian University

I chose these colleges because…

• They all have at least one of majors in which I am interested (criminology/criminal justice, psychology, and journalism)

• They are located in lively areas good for university students

• They have an abundance of resources (study abroad, internships) at my disposal

• They are schools at which I feel I have a fair chance at admission

• They are schools I believe would feel happy attending ^^

Funding your college dreams also should not drive you to such extreme measures.

Money Matters, But Should Not Determine Your Future

Do the numbers above scare you? They shouldn’t.

Money Matters, But Should Not Determine Your Future

In reality, not many students pay full tuition. Why? Not many families can realistically afford college.

o Scholarships/Grants: Both colleges and outside organizations grant scholarships to deserving students. These scholarships can range from as little as $500 to full tuition.

o Financial Aid: All colleges have financial aid programs that take into account each student’s financial situation and merits. There are even scholarships and financial aid available to international students!The bottom line? Don’t let money stop you from

fulfilling your dreams. If there’s a will, there’s a way. (=

Things You May Not

Have Been Told About Choosing

and Applying

to a College

• Don’t let anyone influence your college choice. You’ll be the one attending college, so make a decision you can live with for four years (or more).

• Grades and test scores are important, but they are not everything. You’ll literally be competing against thousands of students with the same grades and test scores as you. In short, give colleges a reason to choose you. Make yourself stand out in a positive way!

• Even with the horrible economy, there are still so many opportunities at your disposal to obtain money for college. Do your research (the Internet or a person who is knowledgeable about the subject are great ways to start) and you will be surprised at what you find.

• Be mindful about where you apply. There are plenty of schools that, while not Ivy Leagues, may fit you perfectly, if not better than a big-name school.

Closing

NoteAnything I didn’t cover that you’d

like to know? Please contact me at:School E-Mail:

hbeltran@moreaucatholic.orgPersonal E-Mail:

koala_calamity@yahoo.com Hope you enjoyed my presentation!

Have a wonderful day!:D