Grades: Students attending high school are around age 14 to 18. It starts with grade 9 and ends with grade 12. The classes are arranged by subjects. A student usually has different teachers throughout the day.
School Year: The school year typically starts in August or September and ends in May or June.
School Hours : Most high schools run Monday to Friday, with classes starting around 8:30 a.m. and finishing at 3:00 p.m.
Curriculum : The curriculum includes core subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Students can also choose from a wide range of electives, including Biology, Chemistry, Social Sciences, Visual Arts, Economics, Languages, Geography, and many more. This variety allows students to explore their strengths and discover new interests. American schools place a strong emphasis on extracurricular involvement. Sports, music, theatre, debate, and volunteer work are considered a really important part of education. This focus can be surprising to some expats from nations where schools can be more rooted in academics.
School Holidays : American high schools generally break for:
- Winter Break: Usually from late December to early January, around Christmas and New Year.
- Spring Break: Typically a week in March or April.
- Summer Vacation: Typically from late May or June through August or early September.
These breaks give students time to relax, travel, spend time with family, or explore new hobbies.
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