This work talks shortly about the American high school and explains how that system is structured. Then it focuses on Lakeside High School, s High School in Ashtabula, Ohio. In the end it compares a German Gymnasium, the Antoniuskolleg, and Lakeside High School.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 U.S. educational system introduction
1.2 U.S. educational system in general
1.3 High School
1.3.1 Graduation in Ohio
1.3.2 Classes
2. Lakeside High School
3. Is Lakeside High School or Antoniuskolleg better?
4. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this paper is to provide a personal reflection on the American high school experience by using Lakeside High School in Ohio as a concrete case study, while simultaneously comparing its educational framework with that of the German Antoniuskolleg.
- Structure and challenges of the U.S. educational system.
- Graduation requirements and credit systems in Ohio high schools.
- Daily life, scheduling, and logistical operations at Lakeside High School.
- Comparative analysis of teaching styles, school atmosphere, and student-teacher relationships between the two institutions.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Is Lakeside High School or Antoniuskolleg better?
There are many differences between both schools. Of course, they both have their ups and downs. However, it is difficult to just say yes to one and no to the other.
The Antoniuskolleg is a much older school. Since Lakeside High was opened 2004 after it was just built, the Antoniuskolleg (AK) cannot compete with Lakeside High. Naturally, the equipment of the AK is good. Nevertheless, everything in Lakeside is new. Likewise, the teachers have their own rooms and every room in Lakeside has computers, an overhead projector and the book sets for the class so students do not have to bring their books to their periods. However, the AK started to upgrade and, even though it will take them a while, they already got some equipment Lakeside does not have, e.g. Smart Boards.
Still, Lakeside’s students have their individual lockers where they can put things they do not need for that period. This makes their backpacks much lighter. Students at the AK have to have all their belongings they need for the day with them. This makes their backpacks quite heavy.
Nevertheless, at the AK students can go outside to breathe some fresh air and walk in between a period, which helps them to get focused for the next period. Also, they have longer breaks and fewer periods, helping them to learn more within a week. A student that has to make haste to every period and does not get breaks still has his mind set on the last period. They spend the first fifteen minutes focusing on the new period and it only leaves them thirty minutes of quality working time.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author outlines the motivation for the paper, rooted in their personal experience as an exchange student, and introduces the focus on comparing American and German schooling.
1.1 U.S. educational system introduction: This section explains the decentralized nature of the U.S. education system, noting that responsibilities are largely handled at the state level.
1.2 U.S. educational system in general: An overview is provided regarding the progression of schooling from kindergarten through senior high school.
1.3 High School: This chapter defines the general structure of the American four-year high school model and the path toward obtaining a diploma.
1.3.1 Graduation in Ohio: A detailed breakdown of credit requirements, electives, and the specific Ohio Graduation Test (OGT) is presented.
1.3.2 Classes: The diversity of course offerings and the impact of school funding on individual student schedules are discussed.
2. Lakeside High School: This chapter provides a profile of the specific institution, detailing daily schedules, period structures, and campus rules.
3. Is Lakeside High School or Antoniuskolleg better?: The author provides a comparative analysis of facilities, social atmosphere, testing methods, and pedagogical approaches between the two schools.
4. Bibliography: A comprehensive list of the academic and government sources referenced throughout the paper.
Keywords
Lakeside High School, Antoniuskolleg, U.S. educational system, Ohio, Graduation, Credits, High school, School comparison, Student experience, Exchange student, Curriculum, School facilities, Testing, Teaching methods, Academic environment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this document?
The document is a student research paper (Facharbeit) that examines the American high school system through the lens of the author's personal experience as an exchange student at Lakeside High School in Ohio.
What are the central themes discussed?
The main themes include the structural differences between U.S. and German education, the credit-based graduation system in Ohio, and a comparative evaluation of school culture and learning environments.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The goal is to analyze Lakeside High School as a representative example of American secondary education and to compare its pedagogical and social advantages and disadvantages against the German Antoniuskolleg.
Which scientific method is utilized in this paper?
The author utilizes a qualitative, observational approach, combining personal experience, secondary research on educational systems, and comparative analysis of institutional features.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The body covers the U.S. education system structure, specific graduation requirements in Ohio, the daily routine at Lakeside High School, and a point-by-point comparison with the German school system.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The paper is best characterized by terms such as Lakeside High School, educational comparison, student life, graduation credits, and American high school system.
How does the credit system at Lakeside High influence students?
The credit system allows students to select their own classes, resulting in personalized schedules, though it also mandates specific core subjects in English, social studies, science, and mathematics for graduation.
What are the author's primary findings regarding the school spirit?
The author observes that Lakeside High School fosters a significantly stronger sense of school spirit through mascots, fight songs, and widespread student support for extracurricular events compared to the German school.
What distinction does the author make between the two schools regarding student-teacher relationships?
The author notes that teachers at the Antoniuskolleg maintain a more neutral and distant professional stance, whereas relationships at Lakeside High are typically more informal and friendship-based.
- Quote paper
- Jan Zähler (Author), 2012, Lakeside High School - A foreigner's experience with Lakeside High School as example of American High School, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/192877
