High schools in America are very similar to American colleges in general. However, there are some particular features that set them apart and make college and high school experiences quite different. Those differences touch upon such areas as financing, schedule, requirements, extracurricular activities and many others.
In this paper we are going to discuss foundational principles of the American high schools and colleges, in particular, we will discuss such areas as financing, living arrangements, class schedule, curriculum, socialization and maturity issues, physical plant, meals and dining facilities and transportation.
First of all, the administrations run the schools and colleges in different ways. High schools in America require personal finance for every student and each student should prioritize it before joining. Colleges in American are for financially stable students or students with scholarships. Colleges offer scholarship through sports and on academic basis.
In high schools, students are under the responsibility of their parents and guardians. Colleges provide students with freedom to live in hostels. Students are responsible for their own livelihood. Schools offer security and aesthetic environment. Students in colleges are given the responsibility to attend classes at their own discretion.
High school class schedule is fixed and with numerous classes. School students attend about 6 classes per day, while college students have some days with no classes and sometimes a maximum of five classes. In high schools, class work and homework are mandatory. Students are required to attend classes and complete their assignments in time.
Failure to complete assignment is sometimes punishable. In colleges, class work is a compulsory part of the school regulations. However, many high school students do not follow this. Home work is issued in form of assignment, and they are used as part of the evaluation to grade the students.
High schools in America have fewer faculty and staff compared to colleges. The teachers in high schools teach different classes at different levels on the same subject. In colleges, different teachers teach different disciplines. There are more faculties in colleges than in high schools as there is a diversity of disciplines in colleges. Colleges provide a wide range of disciplines with different units at each level. Each unit has a different teacher, whereas in high school if offers about 10 subjects with the same teachers.
High school is mostly dominated by teenagers. Teenagers in high schools are at a critical stage of development, and they display a high level of immaturity and irresponsibility. Students in high schools socialize in different groups. In colleges, young adults behave maturely and responsibly.
They socialize depending on likability and hobbies. High schools provide a variety of extracurricular activities such as soccer, football, basketball, field and ice hockey. Students in high schools are more active in participating in sports as it offers an opportunity to get a quality college scholarship. In colleges, the most popular extracurricular activities are football and lacrosse.
High schools’ Physical Plant team is responsible for operations and maintenance of high school buildings and grounds. High schools and colleges in American have a well laid physical plant plan.
The Physical Plant Division provides and maintains the physical environment for education, research and public service in colleges. Transportation in high school is provided by the school at a fee included in the total fee. This includes daily delivery to school and academic trips. In colleges, some students who stay off school own cars, which they use as a form of transportation to school.
Meals and dining facilities in high schools and colleges are almost the same. The administrations provide a balanced diet for the students. Students in high schools can bring lunch from home. Books and materials are available in the library. Library is accessible only to registered students. This applies to both high schools and colleges.