What Are Secondary Schools?
Secondary schools are schools dedicated to the education of students beyond the primary, or elementary, grades and prior to college. In the United States and in many other countries, secondary schools are referred to as high schools, although the ages and grades of students in these schools sometimes vary.
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Grade Levels
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Secondary schools generally provide education to children from ages 14 to 18 in grades nine through 12, with grade levels being known as freshman, sophomore, junior and senior. These divisions can vary depending on the district, however. Some districts have junior high schools or middle schools that educate students as young as 11 or 12 in grades five and six and as old as 14 or 15 in grade nine. Others have secondary schools that include students in grades 6 through 12.
History
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In most U.S. states students are required to attend secondary school until they graduate or reach a specific age, usually 18. But this has not always been the case. The earliest high schools were originally formed to prepare boys from wealthy and elite families for college. By 1910, only about 10 percent of U.S. children attended secondary school, according to a Department of Education report. The focus of early schools was to train students in the vocational skills needed to fuel the burgeoning industrial economy. As immigration to the U.S. increased, schools became focused on acculturating students to U.S. society. A 1918 commission stated that the primary purposes of high schools were "health, citizenship and worthy home-membership and, only secondarily, command of fundamental processes." However, college preparatory schools still existed for the elite.
Today, secondary education is compulsory in the U.S. Its role continues to evolve as economic factors drive more students to pursue post-secondary education opportunities.
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Types of Secondary Schools
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Many U.S. schools offer general academic subjects including math, reading, science, history, physical education and a foreign language. Students take certain core required classes in addition to electives such as industrial arts, homemaking, and music. Some schools, known as comprehensive secondary schools, offer specialized training in vocational or technical subjects to prepare students for employment upon graduation. Other alternative high schools meet the special needs of students. They might provide intensive fine arts instruction, additional physical or emotional support or child care for teen parents.
Funding
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Public high schools in the U.S. are funded by federal, state and local government. They are free to all students, though some comprehensive and alternative schools have special admission requirements. To attend a private school, students must apply and be accepted. These high schools are funded through religious institutions and other contributions, as well as tuition. Scholarships are sometimes available.
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References
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