secondary school

A secondary school is an organization that teaches secondary education, the level of education that follows primary school and occurs before college or university.

In the United States, as elsewhere, the specifics of school systems vary depending on geographic area. A child usually attends a secondary school from around age 11 until age 16 or 18, depending on the state they live in.

A secondary school is usually referred to as a high school or a junior high school in the US, depending on the age or education level of the student. Education at a secondary school builds on what a student has learned already and teaches more advanced subjects, such as biology, chemistry, algebra, geometry, American and world history, and English.

It is technically mandatory for a child to attend secondary school. However, state laws only require a child to attend school until a certain age rather than until a certain education level. So, a child (or adult) is free to quit school upon reaching a certain age, regardless of whether or not they completed their education.

The first records of the term secondary school come from around 1825. It combines the word secondary, meaning “after the first,” and the word school, meaning an institution where students are instructed. Generally speaking, secondary school is the second learning institution a child will attend, with the first being primary school.

Compared to other countries, American secondary schools can often be very large. Secondary schools located in large cities or in school districts that cover a large geographic area can have thousands of students. Depending on the size of the school and resources available, a secondary school may offer college classes or college counseling to students nearing the end of their education.

In America, the actual curriculum taught at a secondary school (and a primary school) is determined by the state government. Depending on the school district, subjects such as evolution, the history of slavery, and the Civil War will be taught very differently. The presence of Christian religious instruction in American schools is also a highly controversial topic.

While secondary school is free in many countries, this is not the case everywhere. Countries that lack necessary funding to provide schooling often require parents to pay for their children to attend secondary school, severely limiting how many children attend and complete secondary school.

Secondary school is an important part of education and a big part of a young person’s life.

When you were in secondary school what sport competition did you participate in?

— Valeska🎴 (@Aolajre) September 19, 2020

My son's graduation from secondary school is tomorrow. He has an admission to study Software Engineering in the University but has decided to take a two-year gap before proceeding. I am super excited for him and will wear a smile all day, tomorrow.

— Chief Ofu Ji (@blossomozurumba) September 18, 2020

• school
• education
• high school
• junior high school
• primary school
• college

True or False?

Secondary school typically involves educational instruction that is higher than a primary school and lower than a college or university.