in any particular subject. Classes vary widely in quality and rigidity; for example, some states consider 70 (on a 100-point scale) to be a passing grade, while others consider it to be as low as 60 or as high as 75.
通常来说，美国的中学生学习的课程非常广泛，没有说某一学科是特殊重点课，但在学生学习的质量和考核的严格度方面，美国各州的学校的相关规定的差别却很大。举个例子，有的州规定70分就算及格（总分为100分），而有的州却只要求学生考60分就算及格，有的却要求学生考到75分才算及格通过。
The following are the typical minimum course sequences that one must take in order to obtain a high school diploma[citation needed]
; they are not
indicative of the necessary minimum courses or course rigor required for attending college in the United States:
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Science (usually two years minimum, normally biology, chemistry)
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Mathematics (usually two years minimum, normally including algebra, geometry, algebra II, and/or precalculus/trigonometry)
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English (usually four years minimum, including literature, humanities, etc)
Social Science (usually three years minimum, including various history, government/economics courses)
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Physical education (at least one year)
美国中学生获得中学毕业文凭必须学习的课程及时间要求见下文。但是，一名美国中学生完成这些课程的学习并通过相关考试拿到中学毕业文凭并不代表这名学生可以获得大学的入学资格。
? 科学-通常至少要学两年，主要课程为生物和化学
? 数学-通常至少要学两年，主要课程包括代数，几何，代数二，和/或学习微积分前必修的(课程)/ 三角函数
? 英语（通常最少学四年，课程包括文学，人文学科等）
? 社会科学（通常最少学三年，课程包括各种历史，政府/经济课程） ? 体育（至少一年的学习）
Many states require a \course in which students learn about anatomy, nutrition, first aid, sexuality, and birth control. Anti-drug use programs are also usually part of health courses. In many cases, however, options are provided for students to \out\or perform independent study in order to complete this requirement. Foreign language and some form of art education are also a mandatory part of the curriculum in some schools.
美国许多州还要求学生学习健康课程，而健康课包括解剖学，营养学，急救，性，生育控制课，以及反对服用麻醉品课程。 不过，学校允许学生选择“考试通过”或者独立学习/自学这些课程来完成这些课程的学习。有的学校也将外语和一些艺术课作为学生的必修课要求学生必须完成这些课程的学习。 Electives 学生的选修课
Many high schools offer a wide variety of elective courses, although the availability of such courses depends upon each particular school's financial resources and desired curriculum emphases. 美国许多中学为学生提供各种选修课，虽然说这些选修课得取决于学校财务状况和学校设计的课程重点：
Common types of electives include:
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Visual arts (drawing, sculpture, painting, photography, film)
Performing arts (drama, band, chorus, orchestra, dance)
Technology education (\woodworking, metalworking, automobile repair, robotics) Computers (word processing, programming, graphic design)
Athletics (cross country, football, baseball, basketball, track and field, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, water polo, soccer, wrestling, cheerleading, Volleyball)
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Publishing (journalism/student newspaper, yearbook/annual, literary magazine) Foreign languages (Spanish, French are common; Chinese, Latin, Greek, German, Italian, and Japanese are less common)
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美国中学生一般的选修课包括：
? 视觉艺术（素描，雕刻，油画，摄影，拍电影）
? 表演艺术（戏剧，乐队，合唱，管弦乐队，舞蹈表演）
? 技术教育课（木工，金属加工，汽车修理和机器人技术）
? 计算机课（字处理，程序设计，图像设计） ? 运动课（越野，足球，棒球，篮球，田径，游泳，乒乓球，体操，水球，英式足球，摔跤，带领啦啦队，排球）
? 出版课（新闻/学生报纸，年鉴，文艺杂志） ? 外语（西班牙语，法语为所有美国中学都选的选修课，中文，拉丁语，希腊语，德语，意大利语以及日语只是部分中学的选修课）