Grade 12 subjects
May 30th, 2016, 10:48 AM
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Grade 12 subjects
Hi everyone. My name is Alex and I'm new in this forum.
Since I'm aiming to do an exchange year in the US (Boston specifically), I'd like to know all the subjects as well as the electives found in grade 12...
It would be great if you could also give information about what is taught in math, more or less, just to have an idea...
Thank you in advance.
Since I'm aiming to do an exchange year in the US (Boston specifically), I'd like to know all the subjects as well as the electives found in grade 12...
It would be great if you could also give information about what is taught in math, more or less, just to have an idea...
Thank you in advance.
May 30th, 2016, 10:57 AM
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Hello, Alex. This is a travel forum, not really the right place to get your question answered.
The curriculum in US schools is not so standardized that one school in Boston would be teaching the same things as another school in Boston . And some schools seem to have endless numbers of electives, while others have very few options. Talk with your own school - I assume they are the ones who would set up the exchange - and ask them what you should be prepared for.
The curriculum in US schools is not so standardized that one school in Boston would be teaching the same things as another school in Boston . And some schools seem to have endless numbers of electives, while others have very few options. Talk with your own school - I assume they are the ones who would set up the exchange - and ask them what you should be prepared for.
May 30th, 2016, 11:15 AM
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In general, though, if you were on a university track and were attending a good school, you would be taking calculus; physics; English language and literature; a foreign language, probably French or Spanish; a history or government course; and physical education.
Most of these courses will be available as standard courses and as varying levels of Advanced Placement courses, where the pace is faster and material is covered in greater depth. Students then sit examinations in AP subjects. These are important to university admission and may allow students to start at a higher level at university.
Team sports are not required and offerings will differ wildly from one part of the country to another. American football is ubiquitous but taken extremely seriously in Texas as is basketball in Indiana. Soccer is played in all parts of the US now, but lacrosse is popular mostly on the East Coast and in wealthy communities elsewhere. Tennis, golf, gymnastics, track and field, hockey, sailing are popular where available, and many of these sports are played by women as well as field hockey.
These are gross generalizations, of course, but they give you some idea.
Most of these courses will be available as standard courses and as varying levels of Advanced Placement courses, where the pace is faster and material is covered in greater depth. Students then sit examinations in AP subjects. These are important to university admission and may allow students to start at a higher level at university.
Team sports are not required and offerings will differ wildly from one part of the country to another. American football is ubiquitous but taken extremely seriously in Texas as is basketball in Indiana. Soccer is played in all parts of the US now, but lacrosse is popular mostly on the East Coast and in wealthy communities elsewhere. Tennis, golf, gymnastics, track and field, hockey, sailing are popular where available, and many of these sports are played by women as well as field hockey.
These are gross generalizations, of course, but they give you some idea.
May 30th, 2016, 11:27 AM
#5
If you want to go to high school in Boston, this may be a starting point -
http://boston.schoolwires.net/Page/1003
http://boston.schoolwires.net/Page/1003
May 30th, 2016, 05:32 PM
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You need to understand that in the US education has noting to do with the federal government. Each of the 50 states has different standards (some good and some dreadful) and even with a basic curriculum there are very significant changes between various school districts. School districts can be as large an NYC (1.1 million kids) to small towns with perhaps only 1-2,000 kids in all grades.
So you need to get details not just about but about Boston - and which specific school district it is.
Usually 12th graders on an academic track will take English (literature, but work covered differ), social studies (often year 2 of world history), physics, calculus and a 4th year of their foreign language. Brighter kids will take either AP (advance placement meaning university level) or honors versions of these courses and will often take a 6th course - either another academic course or an optional course.
When I was in 12th grade I knew I was not going to study math and science so I dropped those, took 2 foreign languages, honors english and history, plus 2 semesters of journalism and 1 of psychology (both electives for students with B+ or more averages) and then driver's ed.
But the available electives differ a lot from school to school, although the brighter students do tend to take 6 majors versus 5 (looks really good on college applications).
So you need to get details not just about but about Boston - and which specific school district it is.
Usually 12th graders on an academic track will take English (literature, but work covered differ), social studies (often year 2 of world history), physics, calculus and a 4th year of their foreign language. Brighter kids will take either AP (advance placement meaning university level) or honors versions of these courses and will often take a 6th course - either another academic course or an optional course.
When I was in 12th grade I knew I was not going to study math and science so I dropped those, took 2 foreign languages, honors english and history, plus 2 semesters of journalism and 1 of psychology (both electives for students with B+ or more averages) and then driver's ed.
But the available electives differ a lot from school to school, although the brighter students do tend to take 6 majors versus 5 (looks really good on college applications).
May 30th, 2016, 09:12 PM
#7
You will take English and History (which is generally US Government) in every public high school in the US in 12th grade. In all the public schools I know of, these two are required. Then there is some leeway on math, science and elective classes. Math is usually either Calculus or Statistics in grade 12. Science is usually Physics. Like mentioned above there are different levels in all the classes that rank sort of like average, honors or AP (advanced placement) based on past performance strengths and such. One kid can be in AP English, but average math.
Electives are usually Foreign Language, Art, Photography, Theater, Show Choir, Band, and whatever the local high school offers, it varies really.
Public schools and private schools will offer different things and have different requirements for 12th graders and the difference will also be that private schools cost money to attend. Public schools are free to whoever lives in their district at the time and is paid by local taxes.
Yes there are also sports and clubs kids can join in all schools.
Electives are usually Foreign Language, Art, Photography, Theater, Show Choir, Band, and whatever the local high school offers, it varies really.
Public schools and private schools will offer different things and have different requirements for 12th graders and the difference will also be that private schools cost money to attend. Public schools are free to whoever lives in their district at the time and is paid by local taxes.
Yes there are also sports and clubs kids can join in all schools.
May 31st, 2016, 02:10 AM
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Since you do not have access to "The Lounge" part of Fodors (it will not even show up on your drop-down choices since it is closed to new posters) - which is where such questions appear - I'll also try to answer here.
It used to vary much more - but in past decade public schools in MA have more required courses than before. These are requirements of so many years of history, math, literature, etc. What a student has taken to fill these requirements in the prior 3 years of high school partly determines what they choose or must take the 4th and final year.
Also, if a student is applying to a very competitive college, they may take higher level courses.
Almost all high schools of a decent size have different levels of the same subject. And in many cases you may have students of different years in the same course. For example, Calculus may have students who are freshman who had some advanced math prior to entering - or seniors who never took it before.
Electives vary. There may be, for example, 3 different literature classes that fill the "English" requirement and you get to pick. Or only 1 - "honors senior English". Pure electives also exist and you can put maybe 1 or 2 on your schedule - things like art, music, drama and some technology classes.
The larger the school, the more choices.
You asked about math - the path at our local high school is Algebra I; geometry; Algebra II; Calculus: - Statistics is often a graduation requirement. And for each math course, there are different levels - regular, "Honors", and sometimes "Advanced Placement" - which is supposed to be a college equivalent class.
In case of any school, there is a department (usually called Guidance) that would help steer you towards appropriate classes and levels.
It used to vary much more - but in past decade public schools in MA have more required courses than before. These are requirements of so many years of history, math, literature, etc. What a student has taken to fill these requirements in the prior 3 years of high school partly determines what they choose or must take the 4th and final year.
Also, if a student is applying to a very competitive college, they may take higher level courses.
Almost all high schools of a decent size have different levels of the same subject. And in many cases you may have students of different years in the same course. For example, Calculus may have students who are freshman who had some advanced math prior to entering - or seniors who never took it before.
Electives vary. There may be, for example, 3 different literature classes that fill the "English" requirement and you get to pick. Or only 1 - "honors senior English". Pure electives also exist and you can put maybe 1 or 2 on your schedule - things like art, music, drama and some technology classes.
The larger the school, the more choices.
You asked about math - the path at our local high school is Algebra I; geometry; Algebra II; Calculus: - Statistics is often a graduation requirement. And for each math course, there are different levels - regular, "Honors", and sometimes "Advanced Placement" - which is supposed to be a college equivalent class.
In case of any school, there is a department (usually called Guidance) that would help steer you towards appropriate classes and levels.
May 31st, 2016, 07:55 AM
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A_17, please do come back and let us know where you end up and how things are going for you. I was the president of our AFS club in high school, and while I only did domestic exchanges (including one in Boston), several of my friends either went abroad or came here from elsewhere. One friend who went to France even ended up marrying someone she met there.
Good luck to you!
Good luck to you!
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