This document provides an overview of the high school experience in the United States. It discusses the different grade levels from 9th to 12th grade and common experiences students have during each year. It also covers options after high school like college, careers, financial aid, and the application process. The document aims to inform students about navigating their high school years and planning for their future.

1. High School in the United StatesBy Hannah BeltranMoreau Catholic ‘12

2. What is high school?

3. Introduction to High SchoolHigh school is the American form of secondary education.

4. It consists of grades 9 through 12.

5. It is the last leg of compulsory education in the United States.

6. There are a myriad of schooling options available to fit each student’s needs, including private schools (ex. Moreau Catholic), public (government-subsidized) schools, and online distance education, among many others.ASNAPshot of the High School Experience

7. Moreau Catholic High School Schedules

8. Moreau Catholic High School Schedules (continued)

9. 9th Grade:FRESHMANTimeline of the High School Experience10th Grade: SOPHOMORE11th Grade: JUNIOR12th Grade:SENIOR!

10. 9th Grade and 10th Grade9thgrade is the freshmanyear of high school.

11. For many high school students, this is a period of great transition – a new school, new teachers, new classes, and new peers with which one becomes acquainted.

12. 10th grade is the sophomore year of high school.

13. While there are not many striking differences between the freshman and sophomore years of high school, the sophomore year of high school is a great year to begin charting one’s course for the rest of his or her high school years. 11th Grade11th grade is the junior year of high school.

14. Congratulations! You’ve made it through half of your high school journey! This is where high school gets a bit more challenging, in particular for those intending to pursue a college education. Everything you do begins to matter just a little bit more… 12th Grade (my grade)12th grade is the senioryear of high school.

15. Congratulate yourself once more! You’re nearly finished with your high school career. Fulfill your remaining graduation requirements, confirm your post-graduation plans, and head off to the rest of your life!The Academic Side

16. A Screenshot of My School’s Graduation Requirements (taken from their website)

17. Classes I’ve Taken in Previous Years

18. My Senior Year Schedule

19. Study Routine?My study routine varies by the subject I’m studying and my mood at the moment. These are a few things I’ve noticed about my study habits.Doing all my assigned homework is usually enough to get me through a test or quiz.

20. Studying with resources posted on the Internet by both my teachers and other teachers helps me immensely.

21. Reading through my textbooks to capture main ideas is a great way to review for my exams.

22. Since I take a lot of AP classes, review books are also helpful.

23. My classmates and teachers are usually a great help. Grades…

24. [Out]side the Classroom

25. School is great, but your high school years involve so much more than academics.

26. Some of the things I do outside of the classroom…(=

27. Choir!

28. Community Service!

29. Write!

30. Other things students can do…There are so many other things high school students can do outside of the classroom.

31. Sports: There are sports teams both in your school and outside your school that you can join. All levels are accommodated in some way.

32. Clubs: Most high schools have teacher-moderated clubs focusing on various interests, from cultures (French, Filipino, Chinese, etc.) to chess to anime.

33. ANYTHING: The possibilities are endless. I can’t even begin to tell you their extents, for there are none. ^^ What happens after high school?

34. The world is at your fingertips!(No, really.)

35. Post-Secondary EducationWhile education beyond high school is not mandatory in the United States, it is a path chosen by about 68 percent of recent high school graduates. America provides various options for students wishing to enroll in an institution of higher learning.

36. College is not something to be afraid of, however.

37. Tips for the College-Bound Student: How to Maintain Your Sanity and Avoid Getting Lost in the Shuffle:D

38. Assess your strengths (and weaknesses), then plan a junior year schedule to reflect these strengths. If you feel exceptionally talented in a certain subject, such as mathematics or history, consider taking the advanced levels of those respective courses when you find them available to you:- Honors: The most similar to a regular high school course, but with a lot more in-depth study- Advanced Placement (often seen abbreviated as AP): A selection of 34 courses and respective exams intended to introduce high school students to introductory college-level material. Depending on the intended college’s policy, a student who passes one or more of these exams may be eligible to earn college credit in the respective courses. Very popular and widely available in America.- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (often seen abbreviated as IB Diploma Programme):An internationally recognized program requiring students to take six higher-level courses, a minimum of one in each of five subject areas, and pass their respective exams. Less popular and not as widely available in America.

39. Kitty says:

40. This is a crucial question that all high school students, college-bound or otherwise must face before graduating and moving on to the real world. For college-bound students, it helps to consider these points. –> Think about your interests and goals for the future. It is best to choose a path that in some way combines these two. After all, you are making a decision that will remain with you for the rest of your life.–> Now consider possible majors that match your interests and goals. What careers do you see yourself doing with these majors?–> A note about pragmatism… • Choosing a career for the money and lifestyle it appears to promise may seem tempting, but do beware. As articulated above, this decision will affect the rest of your life. At the same time, don’t go completely on a whim with your life in the balance.The point? Regardless of what you do, be prepared to work for your success.Ask Yourself:“What do I want to do with my life?”

41. Get Standardized Testing in OrderAlthough it has been the occasional subject of controversy among more progressive groups, standardized testing is still a requirement for many schools, and for good reason. Since the American college admissions system involves so many different factors, quantitative data allows admissions officials to get an idea where each student falls in the prospective pool of applicants. While an admission decision does not solely rest on these test scores, they are nonetheless important.

42. There are two types of standardized tests typically required for college admission: the SAT (Standard Achievement Test) Iand the ACT (American College Test). While colleges generally require one, it is common for students to take both tests and use their better score. On the next slide is a chart outlining the differences between the two tests.

43. An SAT-ACT Comparison Chart

44. More Tests to Be Aware OfPSATThe PSAT, or Preliminary Standard Aptitude Test, tests some of the same content as the SAT. While it is generally not required by colleges, it gives one a good idea how the real thing will be like and how one will likely perform on it.SAT II Subject TestsThe SAT II Subject Tests are just what their name implies – tests on various high school subjects (20, in fact). Some colleges require them, mainly for course placement in the freshman year of university.TOEFLIf you are an international student applying to college in America, you will likely need to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) to test your aptitude in English. Some exceptions are made, mostly for students who come from a country in which English is already widely spoken, such as England or Canada.Disclaimer! :O

45. Institutions of Higher Education in the United StatesTrade School2-Year Community College/Junior College4-Year College/University

47. A Closer [Look] Into Four-Year Colleges and Universities

48. My Prospective College ListI chose these colleges because…They all have at least one of majors in which I am interested (criminology/criminal justice, psychology, and journalism)

49. They are located in lively areas good for university students

50. They have an abundance of resources (study abroad, internships) at my disposal

51. They are schools at which I feel I have a fair chance at admission

52. They are schools I believe would feel happy attending ^^Funding your college dreams also should not drive you to such extreme measures.

53. Money Matters, But Should Not Determine Your FutureDo the numbers above scare you? They shouldn’t.

54. Money Matters, But Should Not Determine Your FutureIn reality, not many students pay full tuition. Why? Not many families can realistically afford college.Scholarships/Grants: Both colleges and outside organizations grant scholarships to deserving students. These scholarships can range from as little as $500 to full tuition.

55. Financial Aid: All colleges have financial aid programs that take into account each student’s financial situation and merits. There are even scholarships and financial aid available to international students!The bottom line? Don’t let money stop you from fulfilling your dreams. If there’s a will, there’s a way. (=

56. Things You May Not Have Been Told About Choosing and Applying to a CollegeDon’t let anyone influence your college choice. You’ll be the one attending college, so make a decision you can live with for four years (or more).

57. Grades and test scores are important, but they are not everything. You’ll literally be competing against thousands of students with the same grades and test scores as you. In short, give colleges a reason to choose you. Make yourself stand out in a positive way!

58. Even with the horrible economy, there are still so many opportunities at your disposal to obtain money for college. Do your research (the Internet or a person who is knowledgeable about the subject are great ways to start) and you will be surprised at what you find.

59. Be mindful about where you apply. There are plenty of schools that, while not Ivy Leagues, may fit you perfectly, if not better than a big-name school.Closing NoteAnything I didn’t cover that you’d like to know? Please contact me at:School E-Mail: hbeltran@moreaucatholic.orgPersonal E-Mail: koala_calamity@yahoo.comHope you enjoyed my presentation! Have a wonderful day!:D