The education system has been divided into three main categories around the world. First comes the primary education, which involves the basic education and includes the first 6 to 7 years of schooling, afterwards comes the secondary education which is also the last stage of the compulsory education in many countries. The duration of compulsory education varies from one country to another. In few countries the secondary education falls under the compulsory education category whereas in few it is categorized under non compulsory education. Secondary education is the bridge between the primary education and collegiate education or tertiary or post secondary education. There are different names given to the schools offering secondary education depending upon the regions and the education systems. They are known as High Schools, Middle schools, Secondary Schools , Colleges, Gymnasia, preparatory schools etc. and the meaning also varies according to the educational systems followed.
In the education system followed by the United States, the secondary schooling starts from the sixth grade and ends after the twelfth grade. The secondary schooling is further divided into middle school which comprises of grades six to eight, the junior high schools from grade seven through nine and the high school from the ninth grade till the twelfth grade.
The curriculum offered in the secondary education includes college prep curriculum and vocational curriculum. The students can choose either of them. The vocational programs include technical specializations to a high level and also includes work program making it possible for the students to get employment without the college degree. The college prep curriculum includes courses in the core areas of language, mathematics, science and social studies.
There are also additional optional courses known as honors classes for students who are highly motivated in certain areas other than the basic curriculum taught and the quality of education obtained by the students enrolling for the honors classes will be much more than that of a regular student.