The growth of public high schools in the United States was slow at first. In 1860, there were only about 100 public high schools in the country. However, the number of public high schools grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By 1920, there were over 20,000 public high schools in the United States.
The traditional high school curriculum in the United States has also changed over time. In the early 19th century, the high school curriculum was mostly focused on college preparation. However, by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the high school curriculum began to be more diversified, and it began to include more courses that were relevant to the needs of students who did not plan to attend college.
Today, the traditional high school curriculum in the United States includes a wide range of courses, including English, math, science, social studies, foreign languages, and the arts. Students are also required to take physical education and health classes. The traditional high school curriculum is designed to prepare students for college, work, and life in general.