United States high schools, I feel, do a pretty good job of supporting the academic, social needs, and interests of today's students. In today's schools, we have so many alternative education programs, extra curricular activities, and other programs that it may even be difficult for a student to decide which ones to participate in.
The main focus of high schools in America, I think, is ensuring the academic progress of each and every individual. I believe that is the way that it should be. There are many programs such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP), which were created to help students with learning disabilities, disorders, or that just learn differently, achieve academic success. There are also alternative education options for students that have been expelled from regular schools, can not, or will not attend regular schools for whatever reasons, or need an alternative due to credit deficiency. These alternative educational programs make it possible for these students to earn some form of education diploma. I believe these facts make it obvious that academic progress of high school students in America is important. Why else would the educational system go to such lengths to help students succeed academically?
As far as interests go, from my experiences, United States high schools do a wonderful job at giving students lots of ways to channel their interests. Today's high schools have many clubs, groups, and extra curricular activities that teach, entertain, and inform students about whatever their focus might be. Many high schools have clubs ranging from race and religion to journalism and poetry. Chances are, if you are greatly interested in something, then your school might have a club for it. I have even seen schools allow students to form their own clubs if the area they are going into is appropriate. Also, nearly all high schools in the United States have an extensive sports program with sports ranging from swimming to football. Yes, most of time there are requirements for participation such as grade point average and sometimes skill or experience, but if he or she wants they should be able to qualify to participate with little difficulty. One other program that lots of students appreciate and participate in is band. Some schools don't have the privilege to have a band program due to a lack of funds, or in most cases, an instructor.
The one area I feel schools could improve in is the area of social needs. I'm not saying that schools don't make an effort because it is clear to me that they do. I just feel that some improvement could be made. Students learn social skills throughout their schooling just by hanging out with their friends and participating in class. However, I feel that students would greatly benefit from further teachings of helpful social skills, such as groups or meetings where students can role play positive social skills and learn how to apply them to their daily lives. As far as the classroom goes, it varies. Some teachers allow students to work together from time to time and others may not. I think that through working together with their peers, students can learn more social and cooperation skills and learn how to see things from other's points of view. One way I feel schools help student's social needs is through clubs, groups, and extra curricular activities providing more socializing in a student's schedule. Another way that I feel that high schools could help student's social needs is by providing personal and maybe even family counseling at request.
Overall, I feel that United States high schools do a good job supporting student's social and academic needs and providing ways for students to pursue their interests. Yes, it may differ from school to school, and state to state, however, from my experiences, Unites States high schools are pretty much doing everything they can.
David Young is 16 years old, and lives in Eugene, Oregon.
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