The modern high school curriculum is misunderstood, even by the teachers. Geometry does not teach math. It teaches logical reasoning. By the same token, science classes don’t really teach science. They teach that the world is understandable, that effects follow from causes.
That being said… I recommend a completely revamped form of primary education, focused on the 4 R's. Reading, 'Riting, 'Rithmetic & Reloading.
I really do believe that primary school education should be limited to between the ages of 8 and 13. (Let the younger kids run around and play. Family time is incredibly important.) You can teach the entire basic curriculum to children during those five years. It should include math (through basic algebra and statistics), English (reading, writing, literature), history & geography (taught together as stories of time and place), science (the basics plus logic), civics (including taxes, banking, and the political & legal processes), media literacy (how to tell when you’re being scammed), the arts (vocal & instrumental music, dance, drawing & painting), and life skills (home economics & child care, wood & metal shop, pottery, crocheting & sewing, laundry, cooking & baking). Daily gym classes for all (they need to move, and they’ll also learn the importance of teamwork and being a good sport.) Then you separate the kids into different groups by talent, interest, and sex for further education to age 16.
The top 20% of boys and 10% of girls (yes, I mean this seriously) go to college prep, formerly known as high school. A third to half should fail out of this process and move on to technical training.
The average middle get apprenticeships.
The bottom 20% get shovels, rakes, hoes, and brooms.
Group activities like sports, band, choir, dance, and theater continue to the age of 16 as well. You can’t do all of them, but you do have to participate in at least one of them. Each community shall create monthly activities to get the young men and women together in a chaperoned but fun environment. Bring back formal dancing (square, line, ballroom, folk, etc.) and roller skating! Add in junior versions of SCA/HEMA and ROTC, along with riflery & archery. Camping, fishing, hunting, gardening, farming, and animal husbandry should be offered as available and appropriate to the region, climate, and time of year. A reformed and restored version of Scouting would be appropriate and encouraged.
In my more perfect world, each school day would begin with recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Lord’s Prayer.
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