School Learning The Basic High School Subjects and Classes By Denise Witmer Denise Witmer is a freelance writer and mother of three children, who has authored several books and countless articles on parenting teens since 1997. Learn about our editorial process Denise Witmer Updated on June 11, 2020 Print Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee Table of Contents View All English or Language Arts Mathematics Science Social Studies Foreign Languages Other Classes College Credits Every state has different requirements for obtaining a high school diploma. And each school varies greatly in what type of classes they offer. There are, however, a number of classes that are available, and perhaps even mandatory, in most high schools. The courses your teen takes will also vary depending on his plans beyond high school. Students who plan to go to college may be required to take more years of a foreign language. Or a student who plans to major in engineering may want to take more math and science classes to prepare for college. Students on a vocational track may be able to gain some hands-on learning. Many of them are even able to gain certificates or licenses that will help them in their future careers. It's important to talk to your teen about her aspirations. Help her explore various career options. Also, talk about what courses she plans to take in high school. Discuss her interest areas and review her schedule together. In addition to the basic classes, there are usually plenty of opportunities for your teen to take electives in various areas of study. Back to School in a Pandemic: What Families Can Expect This Fall English or Language Arts Studying the English language and literature is an important part of high school. In addition to studying important pieces of literature, English classes teach teens about writing and speaking. Most states require 4 years of English or Language Arts classes. The main English classes in high school include: LiteratureSpeechWriting or Composition Mathematics Courses In high school, students dig into several different types of math. Algebra and geometry are required at most high schools and students may choose to take advanced math classes. Most states require three or four years of Math coursework in high school. The main math classes in high school include: AlgebraAlgebra IIGeometryStatisticsTrigonometry and/or Calculus Science Classes Basic biology and chemistry are required at most high schools. They often include lab components that allow students to perform hands-on experiments. Most states require 3–4 years of science coursework in high school. These may include: Biology (typically has advanced classes)Chemistry (typically has advanced classes)Earth or Space SciencesPhysics (typically has advanced classes) Social Studies Understanding how the world works is important for young adults. In high school, students will study history and government and learn about how social studies affects their lives. Most states require 3–4 years of Social Studies coursework in high school including: EconomicsGeographyU.S. GovernmentU.S. HistoryWorld History Foreign Languages Learning a second language is important in today's global world. High school students are often required to learn the basics of at least one foreign language and they can choose to take advanced classes to learn more. Common languages offered in high school include: FrenchGermanSpanish Other common languages include Latin, American Sign Language, Japanese, and Mandarin Chinese. Other High School Classes High schools offer a variety of other classes. Some may be required in the school's curriculum and some are electives that students may choose. These classes may include: Arts, such as music, photography, or potteryComputer applications, graphic design, or web designPhysical educationPsychologyTrade field studies such as auto mechanics or nursing classes High School Courses for College Credit Many high schools offer opportunities to gain college credit. Students may take advanced placement classes and if they pass the exam, they may test out of a basic class in college. Some high schools also have programs that allow students to take certain college classes that will also grant them high school credit. These programs help students gain some college credits free of charge. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. American Councils for International Education. The National K-16 Foreign Language Enrollment Survey Report. Published March 2017.