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Types of High School Education and Degree Tracks

In the country, high school education (also known as preparatoria) serves students aged 15-18. It covers grades 10-12. Upon completing junior high school (secundaria), students have the option to choose from two types of preparatory programs. These will be incorporated by the SEP (La Secretaría de Educación Pública) or by the university, depending on the student’s state.

Types of High School Education and Degree Tracks
Additionally, students can opt for tecnología or comercio programs, which lay the foundation for vocational careers.

Preparatory schools – An introduction
Most students enroll in preparatory schools as a formative step toward higher education. Many high schools across the country offer a range of resources and curriculum to provide students with a comprehensive educational base that includes scientific, technical, and humanistic knowledge, research methodologies, and language proficiency. Generally, this takes two to three years and six modules to complete, depending on the school organization.

Types of preparatory schools
As discussed above, students mainly have a choice between two types of preparatory schools—SEP and university-incorporated.

1. SEP-incorporated Preparatoria
The Secretariat of Public Education (La Secretaría de Educación Pública or SEP) mandates and runs a high school program in public and private high schools nationwide. This federal government agency is responsible for determining and creating standardized curricula, maintaining schools, and providing resources such as textbooks and support materials to schools under their jurisdiction. They are also responsible for setting the educational standards across the country, except in autonomous universities chartered by the Federal Government.

SEP-incorporated high schools are not limited to brick-and-mortar buildings alone. They also include open high schools. These schools are ideal for students/families inclined towards self-learning, as they do away with the stress of traditionally structured classrooms, lesson plans, and examinations. Instead, students are provided with printed and audiovisual materials for their course, which they can study at their own pace.

2. University-incorporated Preparatoria
Some preparatory schools are closely affiliated with local universities, which establish the curricula for student coursework. These are classified as university-incorporated preparatorias.

Apart from these traditional offerings, there has also been a rise in international schools in the country. These schools typically teach a foreign curriculum, primarily in English or in the language of the school’s home country. Although these are considered ideal for expats moving in, they tend to be more expensive than other schools.

Depending on the school’s infrastructure and other factors, instruction for these programs may be offered online or in person. Over the last few years, there has been a significant rise in online preparatory schools and classes, offering students more flexibility to learn from anywhere in the country. It offers the perfect opportunity for gifted and high achievers, differently-abled, homeschoolers, frequent travelers, and others to learn and grow, even without stepping into the school building.

Degree tracks offered for high school students
To encourage inclusion across fields of study, high school students are offered a choice between two major degree tracks—academic university prep and professional technical education.

1. Academic track
As a part of this track, students are offered a generic education (or a common curriculum) for the first two years of their enrollment. This is followed by a year of specialization, which could include any subject or field of study, such as biology, chemistry, psychology, commerce, philosophy, law, literature, fine arts, music, etc. Foreign language is considered compulsory during this stage of study.

Upon completion, students are awarded a certificate and their transcript (certificado de estudios), both of which are integral for enrollment at any university in the future.

2. Professional technical education
While some students look forward to continuing their studies, others are more inclined towards joining the workforce. Enrolling in professional technical education at the preparatory level can be a boon for such individuals. This track provides general education as well as technical preparation that students will need to start working immediately after graduation. This course could be two to four years long. Upon completion, students are given the title of Professional Technician (Título de técnico professional).

It is important to note that this program is considered terminal and does not qualify students for admission into university in the future.

Students interested in opting for something between these two options may consider a Technological High School (Bachillerato tecnológico). These schools help students get better acquainted with a branch of technology and the basics learned at a general high school, giving them the scientific, cultural, and technological know-how required to navigate their work life. After this degree, students graduate with a Certificate of Studies and a Professional degree. They are also allowed to continue university studies if they choose to do so in the future.

Cost of high school education
Public school education in the country is offered for free from grades 1 to 12. That being said, students and parents do need to spend on textbooks and school supplies. When it comes to private schools, fees can vary significantly from institution to institution. Some common charges at these schools include admission fees, annual reinscription fees, school transportation, after-school activities, etc. Bilingual schools are considered the most expensive, as they are generally located in larger cities and cater to expats and other established individuals.

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