High school is the name used
in some parts of the world, particularly in Scotland
, Northern America and Oceania, to describe an institution that provides
all or part of secondary education. The actual term "high
school" originated in Scotland
with the
world's oldest being the Royal High School
in 1505, and spread to the New
World countries as the high prestige that the Scottish
educational system had at the time led several countries to employ
Scottish educators to develop their state education
systems.
The Royal
High School was used as a model for the first public high school in the United States, the English High School founded in
Boston
, Massachusetts
, in 1821. The precise stage of schooling
provided by a high school differs from country to country, and may
vary within the same jurisdiction.
In all of New Zealand
and Malaysia
along with
parts of Australia and Canada
, high school
is synonymous with secondary
school, and encompasses the entire secondary stage of
education.
Usage by country
Australia
In Australia, the term "High School" refers to Secondary School
near exclusively.Yr 7 - 12. Although this can vary from state to
state, some Secondary Schools starting at Yr 8 instead.Students
have the choice to drop out at Year 10, or continue through Year
11-12. The School Certificate takes place at Year 10, the Higher
School Certificate at Year 12. High schools are split into the
"Junior" years (7-10) and the "Senior" years (11-12).
Brazil
In
Brazil
the term "High School" (also referred to as
"Secondary school" and "Ensino Médio") refers generally to schools
in grades ten through twelve.
The most common subjects taught in Brazilians high schools are:
Physics,
Chemistry,
Biology,
Math,
History,
Geography,
Portuguese,
English,
Spanish,
Literature,
Sociology,
Philosophy,
Physical Education,
Writing.
High school in Brazil is aimed to prepare students for the entrace
process to college or university (private or public) called
"Vestibular." Every year, students are evaluated by
ENEM - Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (High School
National Exam), the grade obtained in this exam is often used as a
part of Vestibular process. The Federal Government of Brasil offers
full (100%) or partial (50%) scholarship in private Universities
for students well graded in ENEM egressed from public high school
in the program called PROUNI - Programa Universidade para Todos
(University to All Program).
Canada
In
Canada
the term "High School" (also designated as
"Secondary school" or "Collegiate institute") refers generally
to schools comprising grades nine through twelve. Although
each
province
has its own system, some provinces have
Junior High, while others have post-eleventh
grade
public
school, also known as Senior High or
Vocational school/Institute. Almost all
high schools schedule classes running from early September to late
May or early June with a two month
summer break.
Most Canadian students are required to continue their education
until at least age eighteen.
After graduating from high school, students
can continue their education at College
(CEGEP in Quebec
) or University, or join the workforce.
Canadian high schools offer many
extracurricular activities, mainly
sports. The most popular sports in Canadian
high schools are
hockey,
football,
baseball,
soccer,
basketball,
track and field athletics, and
cheerleading. Senior
prom is a very popular activity amongst graduating
students.
England and Wales
Despite the term "high school" being created in Scotland, in
neighbouring England or Wales its usage varies:
- In
Leicestershire
, the label "high school" applies to a small group
of middle schools, which accept pupils
between the ages of 10 and 14, before moving on to their final
stage of secondary education.
- In
Liverpool
and its surrounding area secondary schools are
named high schools (e.g., Broadgreen
International School
)
- Most
secondary schools in Manchester
are named high schools (see list of secondary schools in
Manchester)
- Most
secondary schools in Cardiff
are named high schools.
- In
Herefordshire
, many state secondary schools name themselves high
schools.
- In
Kent
and other English
counties which still retain their grammar schools, their non-selective comprehensive schools are often called
high schools.
- The
Isle of
Wight
retains a three-tier schooling system. Its
five state-run 'High Schools' are so named to differentiate them
from secondary schools, which have a different age range.
- In
Northumberland
and some areas in Suffolk,
Somerset
, Staffordshire and
Worcestershire there still exists a
three-tier education system comprising of First, Middle and High
school. High Schools within Northumberland and Suffolk cater
to pupils from Year Nine to Sixth Form (ages 13 to 18). There is currently a
fairly high-profile campaign within Northumberland to save the
three-tier system as it has
been proposed to abolish it and adopt the standard Primary and
Secondary school system as in the rest of England.
Germany
In Germany, the term "high school" generally applies to the
"
Gymnasium" and
Gesamtschulen.
German law considers students from grades 5
through 9 junior high school students (German: "Unterstufler") and
those from grade 10 through 12 high school students (German:
"Oberstufler"). It is in discussion in German whether 9th graders
can be called freshmen and 10th graders sophomores since there is
such controversial law making 9 graders junior high school
students.
A famous example of a school resolving this issue was the
Gymnasium Querfurt which traditionally
divides the junior high school students from the high school
students with classes in two buildings. The school administration
decided in summer 2009 that 9th graders shall join the upper
graders, and 9th graders are now freshmen.
India
In
India
, high school is a grade of education which includes
Standards IX to XII. Standards XI and XII are also called
Senior Secondary School or
Junior college. Some states refer to
Standards IX and
X as High School, while XI and
XII are termed as Intermediate. Other states refer to VI, VII,
VIII, IX and
X (grades 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) as
Secondary school and XI and XII
(grades 11 and 12) as
Senior
Secondary School. Usually, students from ages 14 to 18 study in
this section. These schools may be affiliated to national boards
like
Central Board
of Secondary Education (CBSE) or
Indian Certificate of
Secondary Education (ICSE) or various state boards.
Indonesia
In
Indonesia
, high school is divided into two parts, the junior
high school, known locally as Sekolah Menengah Pertama or
abbreviated by SMP, and the other part which is senior high school,
known locally as Sekolah Menengah Atas and in other terms, Sekolah
Menengah Umum which abbreviated as SMA and SMU. There is
also one institution similar to SMA, but they were focusing on one
specific career major which is known as Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan
or SMK. Unfortunately, citizens of Indonesia currently looking down
of SMK graduates and they were not preferable to be attended by
students. Junior high is a must for all citizens of Indonesia while
Senior high is not a must as Indonesia currently applying nine
years of study to all citizens. It is managed by the
Department of Education in
Indonesia and stated in the
Indonesia constitution where every
citizens have the right to study. Graduate
students from SMP and SMA or SMU and also SMK are achieving
different
educational
certificate. All students of Indonesian high school must passed
in the National Examination held by BSNP (Badan Standarisasi
Nasional Pendidikan), an organization under the Department of
Education of Indonesia.
Iran
In
Iran
, "High school" known in Persian as "Dabirestan". which is for 3
years, after the Secondary school
(Rahnamai) and before the University-preparatory school
(Pishdaneshgahi). After the first year of highschool, the
student should chose his general branch (one of these: Mathematics
and Physics, Experimental sciences, Human sciences and Art).
Israel
In
Israel
, high school
or Tichon (intermediary school, in Hebrew) is a three-year school period, from
the 10th to the 12th grade, yet most pupils in Israel attend high
school. High school prepares the pupil to the
Bagrut examination, which is obligatory in order to
continue to
higher education
institution and in order to be accepted for most jobs.
Japan
The Japanese word for a high school is
kōtōgakkō ( ;
literally
high school), or
kōkō ( ) in short.
High school in Japan covers grades 10 through 12. Although it is
not mandatory, some 99% of
Japanese
people attend high school. The third year of high school in
Japan is allotted for students to prepare for college exams known
as "juken" (受験. Others may wish to settle for a job instead.
High
schools in Japan are referred to by MEXT
as "upper secondary schools." However most
English-language newspapers and sources use the term "high school".
Many
school boards also use "high
school"; for instance the
Tokyo
Metropolitan Government Board of Education uses "senior high
school".
Lithuania
In Lithuanian education system,
aukštoji mokykla, which a
is literary translation of "high school", actually refers to a
college or a university, but not an institution that provides
secondary education. Thus,
universitetas (university) and
kolegija (college) are both covered by the
umbrella term aukštoji mokykla.
Secondary education is provided by institutions that are approved
by the government for this type of education. There are three types
of these institutions:
- pagrindinė mokykla (the general school) - covers ages
7 to 16 (grades 1 to 10)
- gimnazija, licėjus (gymnasium, lyceum) - covers ages
15 to 18 (grades 9 to 12)
- vidurinė mokykla (secondary school) - covers ages 7 to
18 (grades 1 to 12)
Pagrindinė mokykla provides only an incomplete secondary
education as it is not sufficient if one wants to start studies at
a university. People who want to continue their education to obtain
the full secondary education diploma, which would allow them to
join a university upon completing the
pagrindinė mokykla,
must either enter a gymnasium, lyceum, or a
vidurinė
mokykla.
A
vidurinė mokykla is the most universal type of these
institutions as it offers all levels of pre-college education,
starting from elementary level up to the secondary level.
Malaysia
In
Malaysia
, the term "secondary school" is almost always used
in the place of "high school". Secondary education is not
compulsory — unlike
primary
education — and it begins at the age of 13 in Form One
(
Tingkatan Satu) and goes on until Form Five
(
Tingkatan Lima). After completing Form Five, the students
have a choice of entering Form Six (
Tingkatan Enam) before
proceeding to further their studies elsewhere.
A number of standardised tests are taken by students throughout
their schooling years. In order to continue into secondary schools,
primary school students are required to undergo the
Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah
Rendah (Primary School Evaluation Exam) in their sixth and
final year of primary education. At the age of 15 in Form Three
(
Tingkatan Tiga), the pupils sit for the
Penilaian Menengah Rendah exam
(Lower Secondary Assessment). Depending on their results in that
exam, students can choose to enroll in one of several specific
streams available upon entering Form Four (
Tingkatan
Empat). At the end of secondary education, the pupils sit for
the
Sijil Pelajaran
Malaysia exam (Malaysian Certificate of Education). If they
choose to continue to Form Six, they are required to sit for the
Sijil Tinggi
Persekolahan Malaysia examination (Malaysian
Higher School Certificate). Once
the pupils have completed Form Five (or Form Six for certain
students), they have officially completed secondary school.
It is mandatory for students in secondary schools to wear the
school uniforms as allotted
by the government. Boys are required to wear white shirts and olive
green short trousers; or olive green long trousers; or white
trousers (generally for Form Six students alone). Girls are told to
wear turquoise pinafores over white shirts (Form One to Form Five);
or turquoise skirts with white blouses (generally only for Form Six
students); or white
baju kurung (a long tunic that covers
the arms) over long turqouise skirts (Form One to Form Six)
Mexico
The term
"high school" is commonly used as a term for "prep school", it is
mostly used in the northern states, such as Chihuahua
and Nuevo
Leon
.It refers generally to schools in grades ten
through twelve.High school in Mexico requires only three years of
study, all three preparing for enter college called "
Universidad".
New Zealand
The term
"high school" is commonly used as a term for secondary school in
New
Zealand
. "College" is another term often used in the
North
Island
and for private
schools, and unlike the United States, does not refer to a
university.
High school in New Zealand usually begins at Year 9 or 3rd form,
which is for ages 12–14, up to Year 13 or 7th form, which is 17–18
years, though students can leave at the age of 16 (15 with an
exemption). Pupils usually stay at 'High School' for 5 years before
going into a university or the workforce.
The current and most common qualification system implemented
throughout
New
Zealand's secondary schools is the National Certificate of
Educational Achievement (NCEA). NCEA 'standards' or
tests/assignments begin usually in 5th form (NCEA Level 1) and
continue through to NCEA Level 2 at 6th form and NCEA Level 3 at
7th form. Some assignments/tests are completed as early as 4th
form, depending on the school and individual students.
High school students in New Zealand are taught a range of subjects
relevant to both education in general and NCEA specific
requirements. In year 9, the compulsory subjects are Mathematics,
English, Physical Education,
Social
Studies and Science, as well as optional classes, such as
Woodworking, Music, and a choice of
languages, being mostly Maori, Spanish, French, or Japanese,
depending on the
geographic
location of the school and availability of teachers able to
teach the respective subjects.
It is common for students in New Zealand to wear uniforms. Uniform
styles vary widely between schools and are generally more casual
compared to the more 'formal' uniforms worn in Australia's
equivalent schools. It is common for Year 13 students of public
schools to be allowed to wear 'Mufti' or everyday clothing of their
choice. Although many schools require students of all year levels
to wear a uniform with upper years often having a different uniform
than the rest of the school.
Pakistan
In
Pakistan
, the term "high school" isn't often used to
describe schools; nevertheless, the term encompasses grades 9 to
11. There are two high school systems prevalent there. First
is the local matriculation system which is administered by both
Federal and Provincial Boards of Education and includes grades 9
and 10 after which pupils may be admitted into college.
The
second major education board there is the Cambridge
International Exams GCE Ordinary Level conducted by the
British Council. Many wealthy
and/or educated parents are distressed by the lack of
standardization and poor quality of education provided by their
local systems and therefore enter their children into schools which
provide training for these exams. These exams are taken in grade 10
and 11, after which the students may enter college.
Philippines
High
school in the Philippines
refers to education after grade school. It
normally spans four years of schooling. Children normally enter
high school from age 12 or 13 and completes it when they reach age
15 or 16. Everyone who finishes high school normally receives a
high school diploma and a
transcript of records (DECS Form 137-a) and oftentimes participates
in a
graduation ceremony. Except for a
few exceptions granted by law, a high school diploma is a
requirement in entering college.
Scotland
Secondary institutions are usually called high schools or academies
in Scotland. School names are often officially abbreviated to
H.S. (e.g.
St. Modan's H.S.). Unofficially,
school names are abbreviated in one of two ways: generally the
school is dropped from the full name (
Stirling High
School->
Stirling High,
Wallace High
School->
Wallace High) but where the school name
consists of two words,
high school may be dropped in its
entirety (
St. Modan's High School->
St.
Modan's). Other high schools drop the "high school" entirely,
and replace it with "academy" (Prestwick Academy was formerly
called "Prestwick High School").
Singapore
In
Singapore
, schooling for those in the age range of 13 to 16
takes place in a secondary school,
in accordance with the British
system in England
and Wales
.
Certain
schools are known as high schools such as the Dunman High
School
and Singapore American School
. This suggests that the school follows a
U.S.
curriculum and syllabus in addition to British
"O"-levels or incorporate core elements of U.S. education system,
such as equal emphases in both the sciences and the arts, offering
a variety of subject options. Due to the intensely
competitive nature of the education system, graduates of top high
schools, excluding the other public schools known as "secondary
schools", students would have attained all the elements required
for U.S. college admission as their counterparts in the States, as
early as 16. In order to be admitted into a U.K. university,
however, the students need to matriculate in a "junior college" for
preparation for the university
entrance exams
known as "A-levels" and "S-levels" (for advanced placement in first
year of university, applicable for Oxbridge entrants). These
studies are extremely specialized and typically last 2 intense
years, some completing it in three years, and is equivalent to
academic work of a standard freshman or sophomore in a U.S.
college. The most difficult academic routes are the Humanities
program (offered to only 100 top scholars nationally destined for
Ivy League and Oxbridge universities) and
the triple science program (a pre-med track). The easiest routes
are those offering Mathematics and
Commerce
subjects, as these produce a glut of distinctions and/or are
unpopular due to perception of quality.
South Africa
In
South Africa, high school begins in
grade 8. Students study for five years, at
the end of which they write what is known as
"
matric". The system used to be based on Higher or
Standard grade. As of 2008, students
must attain a pass in their
Home
Language, Additional Language, Mathematics or Mathematical
Literacy and Life Orientation to progress on to university.
Officially the Senior Certificate is to be changed to the
National Senior Certificate in
2008 and the system of higher and standard grade has been
dropped.An alternative examination is possible in the
Independent Examinations
Board (
IEB)
exams. They are set up by a board, representing many private
schools.
South Korea
In
South
Korea
, students from grades 10 through 12 attend high
schools. A student may choose, however, the class he or she
wishes to take for
liberal arts. High
schools in South Korea may also have subject specialty tracks. For
example, students who have a talent for science,
foreign language,
physical activity, art, etc.. may choose
to go to an academic science or foreign language and other
specialty high school (
Hangul:특수목적고등학교,
Revised:
Teuksu-Mokjeok
Godeung Hakgyo)These high schools are often hard to get into,
especially Science and foreign language, which creates competition
to go to a good high school.
Unlike most
developed countries,
high schools in South Korea are neither free nor compulsory.
However, 97 percent of Korean students do complete high school,
according to a 2005 OECD study.
Most Korean students may choose to go to common high school
(
Hangul:인문계 고등학교;
Revised:
Inmungye godeung
hakgyo) ; and other students may choose a vocational track
high school which emphasizes agriculture, commerce, or technical
trade curricula (
hangul:전문계 고등학교;
Revised:
Jeonmungye
godeung hakgyo)
High schools are called 고등학교 (
Revised:
Godeung
Hakgyo,
McCune–Reischauer:
Kodŭng
Hakkyo).
Taiwan
The secondary education in Taiwan includes junior high school,
senior high school, vocational high school,
military school and complete high school.
The traditional secondary education institutions were established
during the
Japanese colonial
era (1895-1945)." Today, they include many features from the
United States.
After six years in elementary school, the rules typically state
that children must enter junior high school, or their parents may
be fined. There are three grades in junior high. Children who
achieve the
third grade can choose to
enter senior high school, vocational high school or complete high
school. If children want to continue their formal education, they
must sit for an exam. Generally speaking, the grade to enter high
school and complete high school is highest, while it is lower to go
on to vocational high school and military school.
Senior high school has three grades. Graduates from senior high
school often continue on to university. Vocational high school has
three grades as well. Children who complete vocational high school
can then enter a technological university. Complete high school is
like that of American high schools, in that it has grades seven to
grade twelve.
There are
also international schools such
as Taipei
American School
(TAS), Taipei Adventist Prepatory
Academy (TAPA), Taipei Adventist American
School (TAAS), National Experimental High
School (NEHS) and Taipei
European School (TES). These schools offer grades from
Kindergarten to grade 12. English is
instructed for all courses. Since the curriculum concurs with the
corresponding country's curriculum, graduates from these
international schools generally do not stay in Taiwan for their
undergraduate degree.
Thailand
The present Government of Thailand has adopted a policy of
bureaucratic reform so as to have in place an efficient
administrative system with a lean structure. The new system is
suitable to the prevailing situation and responsive to the needs
for national economic and
social
development. Urgent measures have therefore been taken for
enactment of the legislations for streamlining the different
ministries and agencies to attune to global trends as well as the
national economic and social changes. The recent bureaucratic
reform focuses on obtaining a leaner organization and attaining
higher efficiency. It allows greater participation of the people as
well as the society. New budgeting techniques are availed of,
serving as tools for moving forward the bureaucratic reform. The
remuneration system which also includes salaries has been improved
so as to attract professional
civil
servants of integrity who are entirely devoted to the common
interest.
Regarding the Ministry of Education, the 1999 National Education
Act and its 2002 Amendment as well as the 2003 Act for Streamlining
of Ministries and Governmental Agencies mandate the amalgamation of
the 3 ministries and agency responsible for education,namely,
Ministry of
Education, Ministry of University Affairs, and Office of the
National Education Commission into a single Ministry of Education
with a new administrative structure.
Turkey
In
Turkey
, high
schools are called "Lise"(comes from the French
word Lycée). At the
middle school, students have three
exams and they're separated to different high schools according to
their success. There are plenty of high school types in Turkey:
private schools, private foreign schools (German, French, American,
Italian Schools; preferred to learn language and live in that
country), occupation schools and the one who needs more success;
Anatolian High Schools. Some Anatolian high schools offer one extra
year to teach a language very well like the private foreign
schools. If you have this extra year, high school lasts 5 years. If
you don't, it lasts 4 years, including 9, 10, 11, 12th grade +
Preparation Class (one extra year, depends on the school you
chose). After that,students have an exam again called
ÖSS (shortening of "Exam of Student Placement") and
go to
University.The duration of lise has
been extended from 3 years to 4 years in 2005-2006 educuation
year
United States of America
In the
United States a high school is an upper secondary school which educates children
from grade nine or ten through grade twelve, in other words, from the age of 14 or
15 to 17 or 18 (in some states, such as California
, many students begin the ninth grade at age
13). Prior to attending high school, many children in the
United States attend a
middle school
or a junior high school (usually grades 5-8, 5-6, 6-8, 6-9, 7-8,
7-9 or 8-9).
Individual states, counties, and
school
districts have considerable leeway in how they choose to divide
their school levels.
Students will generally graduate from high
school in the year of their 18th birthday if they were born between
January 1 and August 31, but this varies by state depending on the
kindergarten cut-off date, which ranges
from August 1 in Missouri
to January 1 in Connecticut
and December 1 in California
A few American schools still incorporate grades 7
through 12, but it is usually either grades 9-12 or grades 10-12
although some states split grades 9-10 and 11-12 into a high school
and senior high school. For purposes of the
Grade Point Average (GPA) and subject
requirements used for college admission, grade 9 is usually
considered the first year of high school regardless of whether the
student is in the last year of a 7-9 junior high program, or the
first year of a 9-12 high school program. While high school is
generally defined as being grades 9-12, there are some senior high
schools that cover only grades 10-12, and typically accept students
from a junior high school that includes grades 7-9. Some states
consider grades 7-12 to be
secondary
education, while others consider grades 6-12 to be
secondary education.
As a practical matter, while laws in most states mandate school
attendance at least until graduation or age 16, many require
attendance until age 17 or 18 (unless the student earns a diploma
earlier, usually around age 16). Conversely, students who have
failed a grade may remain in high school past the age of 18. In
general, students over 19 attend remedial classes to receive a high
school diploma or
General Educational
Development (GED) certificate. State laws vary on the cut-off
age for students to receive
free public
education services. Many states have adult high schools for
people generally 18 and over. Students can stay in high school past
the age of 18 if it is deemed appropriate. They cannot stay past a
certain age depending on the state.On average 71% of American
students graduate from high school. A high school diploma or
GED certificate is
usually required for entrance into a two or four-year
college or
university and
to other post-secondary education programs.
High schools can usually be sub-classed as general high schools,
vocational schools (VoTech
schools), and
college
preparatory high schools (prep schools) and
special high schools or
alternative high schools. Most high
schools are general high schools. These schools offer a wide range
of educational opportunities intended for the widest range of
students possible. These general population schools offer college
preparatory classes for advanced students, general education
classes for average students and remedial courses for those who are
struggling. Students can "mix and match" course levels according to
their own abilities or interests.
In some school districts exceptionally high-performing students are
offered enrollment at a district
college preparatory high
school. Traditionally "prep schools" in North America were
usually private institutions, though most medium or large public
(state) school districts now offer
university-preparatory schools
for advanced students. Public prep schools draw the top students
from their district and have strict entrance requirements. All
academic classes offered in these schools are classified as
honors,
International Baccalaureate, or
Advanced Placement.
Vocational high schools offer
hands-on training to students that prepares them for careers in
fields such as
information
technology, marketing, business, engineering and the medical
professions. While some graduates of vocational or career and
technical education high
schools will go directly into a trade, others will pursue
post-secondary education. The
Association for
Career and Technical Education is the largest national
education association dedicated to career and technical
education.
Special high schools are catered for
students who have
special
educational needs, e.g. because of
learning difficulties or physical
disabilities. Some special high schools are offered for students
who have major disciplinary or
mental
health difficulties that make it problematic to educate them in
traditional high school settings. Some special high schools are
assigned as security risks, where the school houses students who
are not yet old enough to legally leave school and are considered a
danger to other students or teachers, but have not been convicted
of a crime. Some special high schools are dedicated to students
with drug or mental health difficulties and have medical and
psychological staff on site. A few of these schools include a
nursery and a
child care staff so that
teen parents can finish their
education without having to find child care during the school day.
Special high schools have their own campus, but sometimes are
located in a section or wing of a general high school.
Another recent form of high school that has emerged is the online
high school. Stanford University's own
Education Program for Gifted
Youth recently received a generous donation and used it to
create the first truly complete online high school, with an
interactive and advanced program for advanced learners.
High School in the United States usually begins in late August or
early September of each year, and ends in late May or early June.
During the excess two and a half months, the students are given
summer vacation to rest from the
school
year. In some cases schools use
a
year round schedule.
See also
References
- James J. Trotter, The Royal High School, Edinburgh
(London: Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons, 1911), p. 186.
- J. B. Barclay, The Tounis Scule: The Royal High School of
Edinburgh (Edinburgh: Royal High School Club, 1974), p.
137.
- http://fbise.edu.pk/
- Definition of junior high school accessed
August 17, 2007. Archived 2009-10-31.
- Definition of intermediate school accessed
August 17, 2007
- Kindergarten cut-off dates
- Government Education Dept. article on High school
dropout rates
- Manhattan Institute article on High school dropout
rates
- Manhattan Institute article on High school dropout
rates / Value of GED certificate
- United Health Foundation article on High school
dropout rates