American high schools

American high schools typically serve students in grades 9 through 12, roughly ages 14 to 18. They focus on a broad education, covering subjects like English, math, science, and social studies, along with electives such as art, music, and foreign languages. Students often participate in extracurricular activities like sports, clubs, and student government. High schools usually operate on a semester system and may offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses for college credit. Graduation often requires completing a certain number of credits and passing state-mandated assessments, culminating in receiving a high school diploma.