For a large percentage of 14-18 year old students, the next step after high school is college. Adolescents spend four rigorous years in high school attending AP classes, electives and core classes like math, science, history and English. Yet with all this consumption of knowledge, is it enough? How prepared really are students for college?
There is no doubt that at least some of what is learned in high school doesn’t “stick.” Confirmed by a survey by H&R Block, 84% of 2,000 high school graduates said they’ve learned things in high school that they haven’t used since graduation. This raises concerns about the relative usefulness of what we learn in grades nine through 12.
Much of high school math and English classes are meant as preparation for college tests like the SAT or ACT. Fundamental skills in these types of classes help students get high scores on standardized tests that benefit their college application. In terms of preparation for college, these tests can help students become more knowledgeable in some areas, but depending on their intended major, it may not be useful for their long-term futures.
“My senior year of high school, we were able to choose electives and I decided to take an additional science class knowing I had an interest in the area,” college student Elle Cimilluca said. “My school offered anatomy and it was my favorite class and inspired me to pursue my major and future career. Having the ability to choose which courses I was interested in showed me what I enjoyed and wanted to learn more about.”
Cimilluca attends the Northeast College for Health Science and is studying chiropractic therapy. She says that her exposure to high school classes that aligned with her major helped her discover that she wanted to continue it through college. These kinds of classes are especially helpful for students who may be undecided about their major. Knowing your career path options is very valuable in planning your future.
While high school does help guide students toward possible occupations of interest, it also follows a curriculum in which conformity is often prioritized and creativity is smothered. SPFHS Senior Rachael Pinsky speaks about this.
“I think there’s a big lack [in] creativity sometimes,” Pinsky said. “I understand, but I think sometimes we need to have a little bit of freedom and to have fun with things, because that’s what keeps the joy, the passion and the drive.”
In terms of soft skills such as problem solving, communication and hard work, high school does foster these in its students, but the extent to which varies by facility and location. Many schools offer classes that push students to be their best, like honors or AP level courses. This kind of challenge can prepare students for what to expect in college and in their future professions.
Just under half (47%) of high schools in the United States rate themselves as doing a very good or excellent job at preparing their students for college, according to a study by Forbes. This number, however, isn’t high enough to make the claim that the majority of high schools are preparing their students well enough for college.
AP courses mimic college-level rigor and are an effective way for students to adjust into college life starting in high school. According to the College Board website, 80% of high schools across the country offer at least five AP-level courses for students.
Vocational high schools, or high schools that teach specific skills geared towards careers, are beginning to rise in popularity. While regular high schools focus on core classes like English, math, history and science, a vocational school is more occupation-focused, allowing students to study what interests them. Vocational schools develop specific abilities in students early which ultimately allows them to be better at their chosen profession.
Overall, high schools across the country seem to equip students with mass amounts of information centered around curriculums and future student careers. There is always room for improvement, but high school more so acts as a stepping stone to a young person’s future and gives adolescents crucial tools, social skills, communication, teamwork, problem solving and perseverance.
