OK, so I need help..

[takhallus]

I'm writing high school AU, which would be great except I don't really know much about American high schools. So I have a few questions if anyone would be so kind as to help...


1. Would the last lesson of the day be called 'last period'?

2. Would a 17 year old be in Senior year?

3. Are they called terms or semesters? Do they use the word semester in school?

4. What month would senior prom be?


Ta!

Comments

[levitatethis.livejournal.com]

I think it differs from areas of the country and then between Canada and the US so my answers may not be what you're looking for.

1. Last Period
2. Yes...Senior (grade 12, right?)
3. I've used both "term" and "semester"...mostly "term"
4. I think my formal (aka prom) was in May...

[takhallus.livejournal.com]

awesome, thanks! So would the start of the final term be in April? after easter?

[levitatethis.livejournal.com]

Wait...your British? LOL I had no idea :-)

When I was in high school we had a fall and spring term so September-December was the fall term (with exams in December) and then January-May was spring with exams in June.

The other reason this is a bit odd for me to answer (especially since your story is in the US) is that in the province of Ontario I was in the last age group that had a fifth year (Grade 13 aka OAC...Ontario Academic Credit) of high school. Some kids fast tracked and got out by the end of grade 12 but a lot of us stuck around for the extra year.

Not that that matters to your story :-)

[takhallus.livejournal.com]

OK, well I can deal with that timescale, cheers!

In Britain you are in school til 16 and then you either stay to do higher qualifications or just go to a college, so I was getting confused.

Thanks!

[sylargrrrl.livejournal.com]

I should just TELL you in google chat lol but um
1. Yeah it was last period for me and from the West Coast.
2. I was 18 when I was a Senior but I turned that way a month or so after the start of school and I'm older than most of my peers.
3. I've also used both terms before but *thinks* I used quarter and semester most.
4. Pretty sure our Prom was in May.

[takhallus.livejournal.com]

That's perfect, it's Gabriel in High School so I wanted him to be 18 if possible.

[carmexgirl.livejournal.com]

I can't really help on this, but just to say... I NEVER KNEW YOU WERE BRITISH!! ::waves::

[takhallus.livejournal.com]

::waves back::

Tally ho! I am indeed British, which I should have thought about when I started trying to write about the American school system using only wikipedia! *Head-desk*

[blossommorphine.livejournal.com]

So you are British. I thought I read that somewhere. I think it was in a certain person's surpise that Americans didn't have crackers at christmas. :D

1) Yes. Of course, the number of periods vary from school to school. It can be from five to seven, depending on how long the class is.
2) Yes, but usually by time they are out, they are or going to turn eighteen. It depends on when they entered school.
3) Some schools are on the semester system, but most of the ones I have been use the quarter system. Term is usually used in the college setting.
4) Usually in late April to early May.

Okay, now I really want to read this. Plzkthx.

<3

[takhallus.livejournal.com]

I'm 3000 words in and Mohinder hasn't appeared yet so there's some way to go but thanks for your help! x

[mabetini.livejournal.com]

Wow a brit!! COOL! I didn't know that!

People already answered but I will do it anyways.

1. Mine were called "blocks" so it'd be Last Block.
2. Yes ma'am!
3. Semester in college...for me they just called them year and half-year
4. Mine was in...Late April!


Hope that helped a little!

[takhallus.livejournal.com]

cheers, that's great!