High School in the USA – Part 1
The other day, someone asked me if I would write more about my life in the United States. As many of you know I live in France now, so I thought I’d write about some of my past experiences in the United States. One of my fondest memories in the USA is high school. It was fun! I was carefree. Life was good!
In the United States, unlike other countries there is really only 1 type of high school. There are not any tech high schools or different routes for students to take. There are a few magnet high schools for arts or sciences, but for the most part there are just regular high schools.
My high school was very small. I think there were about 24 students in my graduating class. It was kind of neat that way because I could take part in many different activities and join lots of organizations. I was a cheerleader, the vice president of my class, year book editor, hurdler, among many other things.
For the most part we all had to take most of the same subjects. 4 years of English literature, 2 years of math, 2 years of science, 2 years of PE (Physical Education), 1/2 year of health, 3 years of history, 1 year of government. The rest we could take electives. I took ‘home economics’ where you learn how to cook, sew, knit, how to raise children. We even had to carry around a 5 pound sack of flour to show us how difficult it was to be a mother. I had fun with it and decorated my flour bag to look like a real baby. I also took Spanish, art, more math, more PE and more science. In my small school there weren’t many options for classes unfortunately.
Now, leave me a comment and let me know about how your high school was. 
Very interesting.
Secondary school in Spain lets you choose between a number of different academic itineraries, so if you are more interested in humanities you will be able to study subjects such as History, Latin, Greek, Modern Languages, etc. The same goes for other itineraries: Science, Arts, etc.
I took humanities at secondary school so I did Latin, Greek, English, History, Literature, etc. Then I studied English at university and I’m currently a supply English teacher.
I really prefer the system in Spain. Here in France it is similar to Spain. I was lucky to take Spanish in high school. To have an opportunity to take Latin and Greek would’ve been amazing. I did manage to take Latin when I went to university though. And I loved it like I knew I would!
Mali is a developping country. We don’t have many choices : either mathematics, physics and biology or modern language, literature, history and geography. After a common year, students choose a path according to the subject they prefer.
There is a tech high school for those who want to learn economics, engineering.
In high school, I took economics first but ended up in literature, modern language. I have studied english for 5 years after my high school diploma. There is more than ten years ago.
This is why I am looking for english speakers to discuss with so I can practice. Who knows? I will also make friends.
It is just cool! Please, let me know if I made any mistake. I am “learning again”
Most Chinnese students would have never described high school life as carefree I guess. Going to a college is the best way to get a job four years later against the cultural background of being in China. On this curcumstance, high school students are under pretty much pressure because around 40 percent students cannot go to colleges and only 20 percent have to chance to a reputable unniversities.
Of course, we have some sort of “after class activities” in high school, like athletic meet, top ten singers and debate contest. A little bit old-fashioned.
I myself had lived in school dormitory in the high school and middle school. We were not permitted to go outside during weekdays. (by the way, that’s because my high school is comparatively large,you can buy the groceries in school market, oh, i had been in the same school from 6 to 18 year old. I don’t know wehther you could underatand me.)
One thing I am very curious about is the “basket boy”. I knew it from the film “flipped”.
Well written Awa Diakite! That is really interesting to read the differences between our two countries. Good luck with your English studies!
Nicole,
What you wrote was very interesting! I cannot believe how different things are. I cannot imagine living at a dorm at such a young age. Best of luck with your studies!
Yvonne