High school students typically take a variety of academic subjects during their four years of education. The main subjects that students take can be broken down into core subjects, electives, and other requirements.
Core Academic Subjects
There are usually 4-5 core academic subjects that all students must take in order to graduate from high school. These are considered the most essential topics that every high school graduate should have exposure to. The core subjects include:
- English/Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies/History
English/Language Arts focuses on developing reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Students take English classes all four years of high school. Common English classes include literature, composition, speech/debate, and journalism.
Math courses aim to provide students with essential quantitative reasoning abilities. Common math classes are algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, calculus, and more. Students typically take math all four years of high school, progressing to more advanced levels each year.
Science aims to teach students core scientific concepts and methods. Typical science courses include biology, chemistry, physics, Earth science, and computer science. At least two years of science are usually required.
Social Studies encompasses history, geography, government, economics, and other social sciences. Common social studies classes are world history, U.S. history, government, and economics. Students generally take social studies for three or four years.
Elective Subjects
In addition to the core subjects, high school students get to choose electives, which are subjects that appeal to their interests. Electives provide students a chance to explore additional topics outside of the core academic curriculum. Common high school electives include:
- World languages – Spanish, French, German, Latin, Chinese, etc.
- Music – band, orchestra, choir, music theory
- Art – drawing, painting, ceramics, photography
- Theater/drama
- Business – accounting, marketing, entrepreneurship
- Technology – computer science, web design, auto shop, woodshop
- Physical education/health
The number of elective credits required varies by high school, but students are generally able to choose multiple electives in areas matching their interests and career goals.
Other Course Requirements
In addition to core subjects and electives, high schools usually have other course requirements students must meet for graduation:
- Physical Education – Most schools require 1-2 years of PE courses focused on fitness, team sports, strength training, etc.
- Health – Health education may be its own course or combined with PE. It covers nutrition, fitness, sexuality, drug awareness, first aid, and more.
- Fine Arts – Some schools require a year or semester of a visual or performing art like music, drama, art, dance, etc.
These extra course requirements help ensure students receive well-rounded instruction in core subjects, electives, fitness, health, and the arts.
Sample High School Course Plan
Here is an example of a typical course schedule for each year of high school:
| Grade | Core Courses | Electives | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th Grade | English 9, Algebra I, Biology, World History | Spanish I, Art I | PE/Health |
| 10th Grade | English 10, Geometry, Chemistry, U.S. History | Spanish II, Drama I | PE/Health |
| 11th Grade | English 11, Algebra II, Physics, Government/Economics | French I, Accounting | PE |
| 12th Grade | English 12, Statistics, Environmental Science, Psychology | French II, Web Design | Fine Art |
This shows a typical progression of core courses moving to higher levels each year. Electives allow students to explore new interests like languages, arts, and career/technical skills. The additional requirements like PE, health, and fine arts round out the curriculum.
Choosing Courses
When planning their course schedule each year, students will select:
- The next level of their core subjects – English, math, science, social studies
- Any electives that interest them or align with career goals
- Classes needed to fulfill graduation requirements in PE, health, fine arts, etc.
School counselors can help students decide which courses to take based on their abilities, interests, and future plans. Parents and teachers may also provide input about course selection.
Academic tracking is when students are placed on different academic paths depending on their performance. For example, students may be tracked into basic, honors/accelerated, or Advanced Placement (AP)/International Baccalaureate (IB) levels for core courses like English, math, science, and social studies. This allows them to learn material at an appropriate challenge level.
Course Credits
Students earn credits for each high school class they pass. A typical class is worth 5 credits per semester or 10 credits for a full year-long course. Honor and AP classes may be worth more.
Most schools require around 20-30 credits per year for a total of 120-150 credits to graduate. This equals an average course load of 5-7 classes per semester. Requirements vary between schools and states.
If students fail a required course, they will need to retake it in summer school, online, or the following year to earn the needed credits.
Scheduling Classes and Homework
With 5-7 different class subjects per semester, managing time and homework can be challenging. Most high schools schedule an academic year into two semesters of approximately 18 weeks each.
Classes typically meet for 50 minutes per day, around 5 days a week. Some courses like math and science may meet daily while others like electives may meet every other day. Advanced classes may be longer like 90 minutes.
Juggling homework and studying for 5-7 courses requires organization. Students should use planners, calendars, and technology to schedule homework time. Time management, note taking, and planning skills are essential for high school success.
Preparing for College
High school course selection is important for preparing for college admissions. Competitive colleges want to see that students challenged themselves academically in high school.
It’s recommended to take honors or advanced level courses available in core subjects. Taking AP or IB classes shows colleges a student can handle college-level work. Most colleges require applicants to complete certain academic coursework in high school including:
- 4 years of English
- 3-4 years of math (through Algebra II)
- 2-3 years of lab science
- 2-3 years of social studies
- 2-3 years of a single foreign language
Following a college prep curriculum maximizes opportunities for admission to selective universities. Earning good grades in rigorous courses also helps demonstrate a strong work ethic.
Conclusion
High school subjects lay both an academic and developmental foundation for students transitioning to adulthood. The curriculum seeks to educate the whole student through core academics, electives for personal growth, fitness requirements, and exposure to the arts and humanities.
Balancing challenging courses with activities, sports, friends, and family teaches crucial life skills too. With smart planning, students can make the most of their high school subjects to gain knowledge in favorite areas while meeting graduation and college entrance requirements.
