High schools in the United States

High schools in the United States
Name	High schools in the United States
Established	19th century
Type	Public, private, charter, parochial, magnet
Grades	9–12 (commonly)
Country	United States

High schools in the United States are institutions that provide secondary education typically for students in grades 9–12, preparing them for higher education, vocational careers, and civic participation. Their development has been shaped by legal decisions, social movements, and policy reforms involving entities such as the U.S. Department of Education, the Brown v. Board of Education decision, and landmark acts like the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. High schools interact with universities, labor markets, and civic institutions including the Harvard University, Stanford University, United States Senate, Supreme Court of the United States, and state departments of education.

History

The evolution of American secondary schooling traces from early academies such as the Boston Latin School and reformers like Horace Mann toward comprehensive systems influenced by reports from the Carnegie Corporation and commissions like the Coleman Report. The 20th century saw expansion during the Progressive Era and changes following the GI Bill and the Civil Rights Movement, especially after Brown v. Board of Education. Federal legislation including the No Child Left Behind Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act reshaped accountability, while legal rulings by the Supreme Court of the United States on cases related to desegregation, student speech, and disability rights (e.g., matters invoking the Americans with Disabilities Act) further defined high school practice. Influences also came from movements led by figures and organizations such as John Dewey, the National Education Association, and the American Federation of Teachers.

Structure and Governance

Governance of high schools typically involves local school districts overseen by elected school boards and state agencies like the California Department of Education or New York State Education Department. Public high schools operate under funding formulas involving state legislatures (e.g., California State Legislature, Texas Legislature) and interact with federal bodies such as the U.S. Department of Education. Private and parochial schools may be affiliated with organizations like the National Catholic Educational Association or the Association of Christian Schools International, while charter schools contract with authorizers including municipal governments, university systems like the University of California, and nonprofit entities. Accreditation bodies such as the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and standardized testing providers such as the College Board and ACT, Inc. influence curricular and assessment choices.

Curriculum and Graduation Requirements

Curricula in U.S. high schools reflect state standards and frameworks like those promoted by the Common Core State Standards Initiative and state boards such as the Texas Education Agency. Graduation requirements often mandate credits in subjects linked to institutions such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Science Teachers Association; students pursue courses in mathematics, science, English, social studies, and electives including arts tied to organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts. Advanced coursework may include Advanced Placement classes administered by the College Board, International Baccalaureate programs overseen by the International Baccalaureate Organization, and dual-enrollment arrangements with institutions such as the Community College of Philadelphia or the City University of New York. Special education services derive from federal statutes like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and are coordinated with local districts and regional centers.

Types of High Schools

High schools include a variety of models: traditional comprehensive public high schools governed by city or county districts; charter schools authorized by entities like the New York City Department of Education; private independent schools such as those affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools; religious schools tied to dioceses like the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York; and magnet schools connected to universities such as the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. Vocational and technical high schools collaborate with bodies like the Association for Career and Technical Education and community colleges, while specialized schools—performing arts, science and math, or military academies—often partner with organizations such as the Juilliard School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or the United States Military Academy feeder programs.

Student Life and Extracurriculars

Student experiences encompass athletics regulated by state associations like the California Interscholastic Federation and organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association for postsecondary pathways, as well as clubs and activities tied to national groups like Future Farmers of America, Key Club International, and the National Honor Society. Student governments interact with municipal authorities and statewide youth councils, while performing arts programs link to festivals such as the Spoleto Festival USA and competitions including the Scholastic Aptitude Test preparation ecosystems run by entities like the College Board. School counseling services coordinate with higher education offices at universities such as Princeton University and workforce programs sponsored by agencies including the Department of Labor.

Performance, Assessment, and Outcomes

Assessment regimes rely on standardized tests administered by providers like the College Board and ACT, Inc., state assessments guided by departments such as the Florida Department of Education, and federal accountability frameworks from the U.S. Department of Education. Outcome measures track graduation rates reported to entities such as the National Center for Education Statistics and postsecondary enrollment indicators linked to the National Student Clearinghouse. Research on high school effectiveness cites studies from the Brookings Institution, the American Institutes for Research, and the RAND Corporation, and policy debates involve stakeholders including the Gates Foundation, the Spencer Foundation, and labor organizations such as the American Federation of Teachers.

Category:Secondary schools in the United States