In some countries, “high school” signifies a post-primary or post-junior high education period. And the major high school courses are built in such a way that prepares you for advanced studies in any field.
High school is generally seen as an academic level that provides an education more progressive than elementary or middle school but less refined than college grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
The accepted age range of students in high schools varies based on state or country. However, the most common age range is 13- 18.
High school is a time of increasing independence and responsibility as opposed to lower levels of education. However, upon gaining entry into high school, one major worry students have is finding out the required major subjects, extracurricular activities, etc., to participate in or offer.
As believed, there is a new structured way of choosing courses to offer, although the work in high school builds on what you have learned in middle school, giving you more advanced knowledge of many academic subjects.
This article will discuss the major list of courses/classes you need in high school.
Table of contents
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Full List of High School Classes
Below is a full list of classes/courses offered in American high schools, including the major ones:
English
- American literature
- British Literature
- Contemporary literature
- Creative writing
- Communication skills
- Debate
- English language and composition
- English Literature and Composition
- Humanities
- Journalism
- Literary analysis
- Modern literature
- Poetry
- Popular literature
- Rhetoric
- Technical writing
- World literature
- Works of Shakespeare
- Written and oral communication
Foreign Languages
- American Sign Language
- Ancient Greek
- Arabic
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Hebrew
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Latin
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Spanish
Science
- Agriculture
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Earth science
- Electronics
- Environmental science
- Environmental studies
- Forensic science
- Geology
- Marine biology
- Oceanography
- Physical science
- Physics
- Zoology
Math
- Algebra 1
- Algebra 2
- Calculus
- Computer math
- Consumer math
- Fundamentals of math
- Geometry
- Integrated math
- Math applications
- Multivariable calculus
- Practical math
- Pre-algebra
- Pre-calculus
- Probability
- Quantitative literacy
- Statistics
- Trigonometry
Business
- Accounting
- Business law
- Business management
- Consumer education
- Entrepreneurial skills
- Introduction to business
- Marketing
- Personal Finance
Social Studies
- Cultural anthropology
- Current events
- European history
- Geography
- Global studies
- Human geography
- International relations
- Law
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Modern world studies
- Physical anthropology
- Political Studies
- Psychology
- Religious studies
- Sociology
- US Government
- US History
- Women’s studies
- World History
- World Politics
- World religions
Computer Science/Information Tech
- Animation
- App development
- Audio Production
- Computer programming
- Computer Repair
- Film production
- Graphic design
- Media technology
- Music Production
- Typing
- Video game development
- Web design
- Web programming
- Word processing
Physical Education
- Aerobics
- Dance
- Gymnastics
- Health
- Lifeguard training
- Pilates
- Racket sports
- Specialized sports
- Swimming
- Weight training
- Yoga
Vocational Education
- Auto body repair
- Auto mechanics
- Building Construction
- Computer-aided drafting
- Cosmetology
- Criminal justice
- Driver education
- Electronics
- FFA (Future Farmers of America)
- Fire Science
- Heating and cooling systems
- Hospitality and tourism
- JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps)
- Metalworking
- Networking
- Plumbing
- Production technology
- Refrigeration fundamentals
- Robotics
- Woodworking
Visual Arts
- 3-D art
- Art history
- Ceramics
- Digital media
- Drawing
- Film production
- Jewelry design
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
Performing Arts
- Choir
- Concert band
- Dance
- Drama
- Guitar
- Jazz band
- Marching band
- Music theory
- Orchestra
- Percussion
- Piano
- Theater technology
- World music
Family and Consumer Science
- Chemistry of foods
- CPR training
- Culinary arts
- Early childhood development
- Early childhood education
- Family studies
- Fashion and retail merchandising
- Fashion Construction
- Home economics
- Interior design
- Nutrition
What are The Major Courses Offered in High School?
In every school, irrespective of the department you choose to belong to, some major subjects are inevitable and compulsory.
It is important to note that classes taken in various high schools are determined by the curriculum of one’s school and the school’s requirements for graduation.
That is, subjects offered in each school might be entirely different. However, some courses are commonly offered worldwide.
The most common major classes offered in high school include:-
- English Language.
- Maths.
- Science.
- Social Studies.
- Foreign Language.
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#1. ENGLISH LANGUAGE
During your stay in high school, they require a lot of English courses, some of which will help you fulfill the college’s requirements that you plan on going for after high school.
However, studying the English language and literature is a vital part of high school for every student, irrespective of their post-school plans. In addition to reviewing significant pieces of literature, English classes teach teens about writing and speaking.
English language, being the language of the Englands, is a major class in high school because it enables one to communicate effectively, that is, express oneself successfully, write creatively, and think critically; it also increases one’s level of understanding and also reading effectively.
Its study also teaches the students literature and other arts like research, drama, etc.
English courses in high school include:-
- • Vocabulary and Grammar.
- • Literature.
- •Writing.
English language study is critical irrespective of one’s future ambition and is a major high school class.
Most curriculums request that English be studied for at least four years in high school.
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#2. MATHEMATICS.
Mathematics is required by the high school for graduation for a duration of about 3 to 4 years.
Basically, mathematics is a class that is cumulative in nature. That is, it progresses and unfolds in a sequential format. What would be learned in a new class utterly relies on what has been known.
According to Common Core standards for maths, whose aim is to make an improved standardized maths curriculum.
This standard states that six(6) maths courses must be attempted during high school. They include:-
- Algebra.
- Functions.
- Modeling.
- Geometry.
- Statistics.
- Probability.
This standard is widely known but is not followed as it should be. Instead, most high schools offer the following classes in a progressive nature:-
- Algebra l.
- Geometry.
- Algebra lI.
- Trigonometry.
- Pre-calculus.
- Calculus.
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#3. SCIENCES
Science is any field or department of systemized knowledge considered a distinct field of investigation or object of study.
In most high schools, it often includes laboratory components that enable students to learn to perform experiments and especially on their own. They also follow a sequential format like maths.
Its study is widely required for 3 to 4 years.
Its main courses include:-
- Elementary science.
- Earth science/physical science.
- Biology.
- Chemistry.
- Physics.
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#4. SOCIAL STUDIES
Social studies, a social science, studies human behavior, relationships, resources, and institutions.
Basically, social studies cover various fields of study in conjunction with culture, government, and general interactions of people within a complex national and worldwide context.
The main goal of learning social studies is to help students become good citizens wherever they find themselves, understand Economics, have a good sense of politics, and respect History.
Due to the admission requirement of colleges for social studies, the following social studies courses are important in high school:-
- Histology.
- Government.
- Civics.
- Culture.
- Psychology.
- Economics.
- Geography.
Its study is required for about 2 to 3 years in high school.
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#5. FOREIGN LANGUAGE
While studying a foreign language, you tend to enable and ease worldwide communication; it also provides job opportunities, boosts your confidence, and gives room for studying in foreign nations.
Most high schools offer several years of a foreign language; some of which include:-
- Spanish.
- French.
- Germany.
- Mandarin Chinese.
Other possible language offerings include Russian, Latin, American Sign Language, and German.
Most colleges require about 2 to 3 years of high school foreign language study.
Major College Elective Courses
Asides from your major classes, there are usually abundant opportunities to take electives in various areas of study. All of which would help build or equip the child for the future.
Sometimes, a student may be free to choose one class from a preferred group of options required in the school’s curriculum. In others, a student may be opportune to be less occupied, and he or she would choose to study something based on their interests and aspirations.
Instances of elective classes may include:
- Physical education
- Business, law
- Cooking and other life skills
- Arts, such as music, photography, or ceramics
- Computer applications, graphic design, or web design
- Psychology
- Trade field studies such as auto mechanics or nursing
- Personal finance etc.
Other Common Electives
Other major common high school courses include the following:
- Journalism/publishing (yearbook, school newspaper, television production)
- Vocational education
- Foreign languages (French, German, Italian, and Spanish)
- Family and consumer science/home economics
- Computer science/information technology
- Business Education
- Performing arts
- Visual arts
- Some high schools in the US offer drivers’ education. In certain schools, students can take it during school as a regular course for a credit. Meanwhile, some schools provide drivers’ education courses only after school.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It is highly advisable to see the school guidance counselor when making these critical subject decisions; however, note that whatever elective you will pick should be based on the following:
Which Electives Your School Offers: The elective you could offer would depend on your school’s elective courses, as no school could provide all the electives in the world.
The Electives You’ll Be Able to Take: The elective you can take can be identified on your own or with your guidance counselor by drawing up a rough plan of the classes you need to take to graduate or the ones you need to get your preferred college requirements.
How Rigorous You Want Your Electives to Be: To enter some top colleges, you need rigorous electives however, do not allow the coursework to overweight your grades.
Electives Related to Your Academic Focus The elective you would select should largely depend on what you want to focus on.
Electives that interest you or that you know you would enjoy.
The number of elective classes in high school is determined by each high school. While most colleges typically expect between 5-7 elective credits during high school, students are certainly not limited by these averages. Students can explore any interests, skills, and career paths through elective studies if it doesn’t affect their grades.
Many colleges ask for a final transcript after you finish your senior year of high school. Colleges require your final transcript as confirmation that you graduated from high school, which is usually an admissions requirement. Colleges also want to see that you’ve maintained (or improved!) your grades during your senior year of high school. Evidence that you’ve continued to work hard in your classes tells colleges you’re ready to work hard at their university.
Conclusion
While deciding on the courses to take in high school, one needs to be very careful as it is a cardinal point of achieving one’s future ambition.
One may require to put some factors into consideration.
They include:
- One’s future ambition.
- Or one’s abilities, talents, and areas of strength.
- One’s school’s requirement for graduation.
In essence, it is important to first go through the subjects needed to graduate, and then one can go ahead and choose subjects that interest you and contribute to fulfilling your future ambition.
To a large extent, many of the classes you are to study are decided by the high school’s requirement for graduation as they allow a set curriculum needed to be treated to proceed to college.
If you need the advice of an expert as you don’t still seem to know what you would offer, you can consult your school’s guidance and counselor as this decision, if chosen right, can help succeed on the SAT and other standardized tests and even get you into your dream college for your dream course.
Decisions about classes to take are to be pondered upon and taken before one resumes school as this gives time to think wide and hard and not take those decisions whilst under pressure.
The major classes in high school are those courses that, irrespective of your field or area of specialty or even future ambition, must be offered.
These classes differ slightly from school to school, but the adore presented information is based on a lot of research before collation, and the following conclusions were made. Meanwhile, we hope you found our list of high school classes very insightful.
References
blog.prepscholar.com – Which Foreign Language Should You Take in High School?
thoughtco.com – How Many Years of Social Studies Do You Need?
blog.prepscholar.com – The High School Science Classes You Should Take
varsitytutors.com – What are the High School Science Courses?
mathnasium.ca – What Are Great Math Classes You Can Take in High School?
blog.prepscholar.com – The High School Math Courses You Should Take
theclassroom.com – Why Is English Class Important?
varsitytutors.com – What are the High School English Courses?
blog.collegevine.com – A Complete List of all High School Classes
blog.prepscholar.com – The Complete List of High School Classes
ohe.state.mn.us – Recommended High School Classes & Graduation Requirements
alleducationschools.com – What Does the High School Core Curriculum Include?
uopeople.edu – Why Is Social Studies Important? 8 Reasons To Study
testive.com – Testive – High School Classes: The Complete List
verywellfamily.com – What School Subjects Do You Need in High School?
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