Every student in America knows how highschool works. You have homecoming, prom, annoying freshmen, and yes, class too. Throughout our country it’s the same, technology prioritized lives. Social media based social lives. It makes me wonder about if it is like this all over the world. It makes me ask the question, what is highschool like in different countries? Here’s what I found.

Japan

There are two different types of high schools. A school year system and a credit system. “ In the school year system, each year has a prescribed set of subjects (a student may select their own set of subjects). Many absences, failure to submit requirements, and getting low grades on tests will result in failure to advance to the next level, and the student will have to repeat the entire year. In the credit system, there is no school year and no repeating of levels. In order to graduate, there are a fixed number of necessary subjects. Passing these subjects earns you units. Getting the necessary number of units enables you to graduate.” (http://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/jidoseitoshien/shugaku/g_english/shu_2_8.html_) Something different is they have cleaning time, where there is a set time for student to clean the classrooms, halls, bathrooms etc! Their school also starts in April and ends in March. Japan’s education system has some similarities to ours, but is still extremely different.

London(England)

I found that London is extremely different than the US in many ways. You cannot wear your own clothes, almost all schools are uniform based. They don’t have any free periods. What would I do without academy!? In London there is no middle school or high school, it’s called secondary school and extends from 7th grade to 12th. In the US we can legally drop out at the age of 16, but in London you can’t until you’re 18. Those are just a few of the things we differ from. In year 7, the year is divided in half. One half does german in year 7 and the other does french. Then in year 8, you still do your first language that you started last year, but you pick up another one too. You can either start spanish or you can do the other language that the other half of the year do.

Italy

In America, students flow seamlessly from elementary to middle to high school. There’s a set path every student must take with little to no room for deviation. In Italy, high school is carefully tailored to each student’s specific interests, how awesome it that?? After two years of general studies in lower secondary school, students are allowed to pick which upper secondary school they would like to attend for the next three years. Overall, students spend five total years in high school. Multiple upper secondary schools are offered, and the curriculum for each is different. Here are some of the schools they have!

• Classics School: Students take courses in literature, philosophy and history.
• Science School: Students take courses in physics, chemistry and natural sciences.
• Fine Arts School: Students take courses in drawing, sculpting and painting.
• Technical Institute: These schools prepare students for a number of specific vocations, including agriculture and commerce.

Though this sounds amazing, the Italian educational system is extremely rigorous. Italian students spend six days a week in the classroom. From 8am to 1pm on Monday through Saturday, they listen to various lectures and work diligently on schoolwork. Something a little odd, Italian schools don’t have sports teams. School is only for learning, and in Italy you must pay for school.

Three very different countries, and three very different education systems. All have their perks and each country has their own perspective on education. What do you say, would you like to have one of their education systems in America? Comment below!