High school can be a difficult time, full of uncertainty, but the one thing that you can be certain about is the number of credits and the courses required for graduation. One of the most common questions however, is how many different types of high school courses are available. There are many different types, though it often depends on your location and which American high school you are attending.
If you are taking a humanities course, for example you could find yourself engrossed in things like chemistry, fine arts, history, mathematics, and science. Today we’re going to go over some of the basic courses and what they encompass, even if you are taking online high school classes. As always, different schools have different standards when it comes to courses required to graduate, so make sure you inquire before you attend.
American High School Courses on Humanities
We mentioned humanities in a previous paragraph and they might not be called as such at an American High school but they are very present. Sometimes these can include:
- History
- Literature
- Social Studies
While these are most often taught from a textbook, they are sometimes taught through the study of individual works such as novels, poems, treaties, etc. For example, a few courses could be taught over the Magna Carter, while an English class might spend some time studying ‘The Odyssey’ by Homer.
Mathematics/Sciences
When you study mathematics at the best online high school it will include some of these:
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Calculus
The most basic math courses are also available, but some professions that you might want to obtain following high school are going to require you to take the more advanced courses. For example, if you plan to go into the field of medicine, you may need to take advanced algebra or calculus before you graduate, at least if you want to jump into your new career training easily and without taking remedial courses.
On the science side of things you may take biology, chemistry, physics, etc. If you qualify, you can take advanced courses on this side as well, for example there are honors courses that bring more complex problems to the table.
Fine Arts Courses
Almost all high school classes are going to include fine arts, and when you take these courses you can expect to be involved in choir, drama, or theatric. Oftentimes theater classes will involve the application of stage makeup or even set design. In some cases these courses are marked as electives, meaning they are not usually a basic requirement.
Foreign Language
Foreign language classes are offered by most American high schools, and in order to obtain admission to a four year university, they are often required. There are many languages available in high school, most of them incorporating both grammar and vocabulary while focusing on the cultural aspects of the language.
Physical Education Classes
This is a course that online high school normally has to outsource, but some high schools do bring physical education requirements to the table. Sometimes these are bundled in with health classes that teach human sexuality and hygiene, though those are most often separate. Sometimes you may be able to get out of the physical education requirement, assuming that you can show you’re participating in a sports activity.
Electives
Electives are offered by nearly every school, but their nature depends heavily on the establishment in question. Sometimes the electives taper off as the students advance, and in some cases they allow for additional credits that a student may use to graduate early. The one thing that all of these have in common is that they are not a requirement for graduation from the educational institution.
Courses offered and graduation requirements will differ even in online high school classes, but you now have a basic idea of what you are looking at when it comes to your requirements and the amount of credits you will be earning for each class. Every school is different and it’s always a good idea to ask for more information.
