Detailed interpretation of high school courses for studying in the United States

American university admissions attach great importance to the course selection information of high school students. Based on what students have learned in high school, they can determine whether the students are qualified for the majors and schools they have applied for. Next, let’s unveil the mystery of American high school curriculum.

The basic courses in high school can be roughly divided into 7 categories, including:

1. English (Language Arts Subject)

This type of traditional English course can be Help students improve vocabulary, reading comprehension and writing skills. Specific courses include British literature, American literature, etc. It is recommended to take an English course every year.

2. Mathematics

Typical mathematics courses include algebra, geometry, trigonometric geometry and calculus. It is recommended that you take these basic math courses early to prepare you for advanced math and science courses in high school. Most universities require students to take three years of mathematics in high school, and better universities may even require students to take mathematics courses in all four years of high school.

3. Science

The university hopes that students will take at least three years of laboratory science courses in high school. It is recommended to arrange two semesters each of biology, physics or chemistry, and earth or space science. Better universities will require students to take science courses for four years. On the basis of the previous basic science courses, it is recommended to add two semesters of chemistry or physics (if they have not been taken before), and advanced physics. , advanced chemistry, advanced biology.

4. Social Sciences

Taking courses in culture and history can help you understand local and world politics. Recommended electives: U.S. History (two semesters), U.S. Government (one semester), World History or World Geography (one semester). It is also recommended to spend another semester taking other social science courses

5. Foreign Languages

Universities will consider that students who take foreign language courses have the desire to improve their knowledge. Many universities require students to take the same foreign language for at least two consecutive years, and some schools even require More.

6. Art

Research shows that students who take art courses generally do better in school and on standardized tests. Many colleges require or recommend one or two semesters of elective arts courses, including studio art, music, dance, or theater.

7. Advanced Placement Courses (AP Courses)

Currently, 60% of the 25,000 public and private high schools in the United States, that is, approximately 15,000 high schools, offer it AP courses. Students can use the AP credits passed in the exam to apply for college credits and exempt college courses, thereby shortening the academic hours and saving tuition.

Credits required for high school graduation:

Subject credits

English 4

Social Studies 4

Mathematics 3

Science 3

Health 0.5

Art 1

Foreign Language 1

Sports 2

Elective 3.5

Total credits 22

Social studies refers to all liberal arts courses except English, and science refers to all science and engineering courses except mathematics. Credit hours are usually one credit per year and half a credit per half year.

Students must pass the following exams: English, mathematics, world history, U.S. history, and science; the last three are state-wide exams. Recipients of the Honors State Diploma must take two subjects in mathematics and two subjects in science (biological environment and physics).

The following is the specific curriculum of an American high school (credits are in brackets):

English: 9th grade English (1), 9th grade Honors English (1), 10th grade English ( 1), 10th Grade Honors English (1), 11th Grade English (1), 11th Grade Honors English (1), English AP: Literature (1), English AP: Language (1), 12th Grade English (0.5), Journalism (1 or 0.5), writing (0.5), poetry (0.5), mass media (0.5), American sports (0.5), foreign literature (0.5).

Social Studies: Global Studies (1), Honors Global Studies (1), Global Studies II (1), European History (1), United States History (1), United States History AP (1), Economics (0.5), AP Economics (0.5), Sociology (0.5), Russian Studies (0.5), Participation in Government (0.5), Law (0.5), Psychology (0.5), Philosophy (0.5), American Civil War ( 0.5), Psychology AP (0.5), American Government (0.5), Women's Studies (0.5), Contemporary History and Political Science (0.5).

Science: Biology (1), Honors Biology (1), Earth Science (1), Honors Earth Science (1), Chemistry Applications (1), Chemistry (1), Physics (1), Honors Physics (1), marine biology (0.5), meteorology (0.5), astronomy (0.5), crime scene science (0.5), human genetics (0.5), scientific research A (1), scientific research B (1), AP Physics (1), AP Biology (1), AP Chemistry (1), AP Environmental Studies (1), AP Geology (1).

Mathematics: Algebra 1(1), Algebra 2(1), Honors Geometry(1), Honors Algebra(1), Mathematics A Part II(1), Mathematics B(1), Mathematics A Part II III (1), Mathematics B II (1), Honors Mathematics B II (1), Pre-Calculus (1), Honors Pre-Calculus (1), Foundations of College Calculus (1), Calculus (1) , AP Calculus (1), Computer Program I (1), Computer Program II (1), Computer Production (1), AP Computer Science (1), Internet (1).

Foreign languages: Spanish 1 (1), French 1 (1), Spanish 2 (1), French 2 (1), Spanish 3 (1), French 3 (1), Spanish 4 (1), French 4 (1), Honors Spanish 3 (1), Honors French 3 (1), Honors Spanish 4 (1), Honors French 4 (1), Honors Spanish 5 (1), Honors French 5 (1), AP Honors Spanish 5 (1), AP Honors French 5 (1), Latin 1 (1), Latin 2 (1), Latin 3 (1), AP Latin 4 (1) ), Honors Latin 4(1), Ancient Greek Heritage (0.5), Ancient Roman Heritage (0.5), Introduction to Ancient Greece (0.5).

Business: Typing (0.5), Career and Financial Management (0.5 or 1), Business Law (0.5 or 1), Accounting (0.5 or 1), Finance and Markets (0.5), Sports and Entertainment Markets ( 0.5 or 1), Justice (1).

Music: Concert Band (1), Marching Music (1), Jazz (1), Symphony (1), Ensemble (1), Music Theory (1), AP Music Theory (1), Music and art in life from a historical perspective (1), concert wind instruments (1), chorus (0.5), female chorus (0.5), male chorus (0.5).

Architecture: Design and production of paintings (1), residential architectural design (1), commercial architectural design (1), architectural model (1 or 0.5), architectural model two (1 or 0.5), interior Decorative design (1 or 0.5).

Art: Interior Art (1), Photography (1), Painting (1), Sculpture and Ceramics (1), Collage Installation (0.5), Personal Work Creation (1), AP Interior Art ( 1), drawing design (0.5), art workshop (1), photography workshop (1), advanced photography (1).

Special Course: Leadership Skills (1).

Sports/health: Sports include archery, water polo, football, golf, volleyball, handball, walking, badminton, softball, hockey, lacrosse, bodybuilding, tennis, rugby, table tennis, basketball, track and field , ice sports (2), health (1).

Laboratory Technology (1), Other Education Use the course knowledge learned to create a project to serve the community and develop life skills (2).

Some high schools also offer some distinctive courses in addition to basic courses. For example, Tabor Academy offers courses in navigation science, including coastal navigation, astronomical navigation, ship design, etc. Thornton Academy offers courses focusing on employment skills, including marketing, law, computer applications, multimedia, web design, etc.