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Growing up in a European country and never witnessing what it's like to go to an American school, watching American high school comedies, to me, has always been a pretty surreal experience. I'm sure that most of you fellow non-Americans reading this article could relate to me on this.

There are so many things about American schools that have always seemed utterly fascinating to me. For instance, you get letter grades instead of number ones, schools have swimming pools inside them, there's a club for almost anything, you have to get a hall pass to go to the bathroom during class, and lunch meals are usually pretty bizarre. The list goes on. With that being said, Bored Panda invites you to look through this list of tweets from non-American Twitter users in which they share things that they find the strangest about American schools. Feel free to explain to us the things we don't understand or add your own in the comment section!

#1

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

scultator Report

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GC
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t ever know what A levels etc. are. One of these days I need to look it up.

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#3

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

bieberexhale Report

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Caitlin Davenport
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, but the cheerleaders were just normal students, not stuck up and they didn't wear their uniforms in class.

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#4

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

chromaticaution Report

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Jamziee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, because if you're in the hall without one, then you MUST be commiting murder (Sarcasm lads)

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#5

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

hilaryagro Report

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Charlotte A.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Sweden it starts in august and ends in june. Nothing odd about it, to me.

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#8

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

Nonisbitch Report

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Caitlin Davenport
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They used to have E as a failing grade, but people thought it meant Excellent, so they changed it to an F.

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#10

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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Juniper
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, don't all schools have cafeterias? Where do you eat your lunch?

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#12

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

argentdols Report

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Aunt Messy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Canadian here. They don't close schools in Canada unless it's been colder than -40C for three days in a row.

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#17

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

balletquartet Report

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JessG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately the arts are drastically being defunded at schools. Many feel like sports are more important and that’s where the money goes. Some schools have it and some don’t these days. Support the arts people! It’s just as important, if not more, than sports. If your school doesn’t have drama and performances, then you’re seriously missing out

Xandra, The Little Hufflepuff
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep! Theatre is my life, and I love it, I am so much happier since I joined theatre!!!!!

SAF saf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's usually only in High School. Drama clubs are a huge thing in HS.

Lorraine R
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not all the time - we had a play in the fall and one in the spring. And a "talent show" at some point.

Rissie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's even classes with productions at the end, loved it :)

Cadmar Orion
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

one of the best parts of school! though, we usually aren't as boldly stuck up as those in the movies. I say boldly, and obviously, and usually

Roadkill The Brave
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I only went to 1, a K-12 school that didn't, but the rest of the schools I went to did and they went all out. Talent shows are a thing too.

Layla Holston
Community Member
1 week ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

not all. a college about an hour NMU(Northern Michigan Uni) had a drama club but then the drama teacher had taken a special interest in small children iykyk and it had 2 b shut down. (The club not the school)

Upstaged75
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not just clubs, but Drama classes as electives too. I took a drama class during my school day all 4 years of high school. And yes schools put on plays, but you have to audition for them. Being in the club doesn't mean you automatically get a part.

Angela Jester
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, actually a class for it. Also, art and music classes. I was in art, chorus and orchestra through school (77-90). There were fewer options and they filled up fast when my kids were in school but my son was in art his senior year (98-2011) and my daughter (2005-2017) was in the music program -Marching Band during football season and Concert Band the rest of the year. The marching band did competitions and hers won with superior scores every time. It was a lot of work and a lot of fun.

Cybele Spanjaard
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have our annual concerts put on by each year ( class)in Australian schools and drama clubs

Nishat Tasnim
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Heck we dont even have a f*****g common room where students could spend their free times and americans have a whole drama club! yall are really lucky

Kimberly Reetz
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. Great way to build self-esteem, camaraderie school spirit and, see if you have talent.

elfin
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, not all the time. But they do put on some good shows, especially for special occasions, and everyone seems to have fun.

Jane Alexander
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, some do. this is a big country and lots of variation; city-country, climate, budget, ...

Emily Smith
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the school can afford to, yes! Often, the arts and music programs are the first ones cut from school budgets.

CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not at my school. Drama club was only for the popular kids while everyone else was just chorus or did backstage work

Spring Fisk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yes, the smaller school with less money have smaller plays but yes we do.

A Dumbo Octopus
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ABSOLUTELY! I recently starred in the winter one acts my school put on!

Dave P
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, many schools dont have any such thing. Some do but most do not

Stannous Flouride
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes and they generally are the source of most club members' first sexual experiences.

JessG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think you can say that about all high school in general, not just drama club

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Katelyn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes!!!! I was going to be in that this year for the very 1st time but STUPID CARONA SCREWED IT ALL UP!!!!!

Marcia Cash
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our school was small, so we put on musicals which had huge casts, so everyone could participate, and all the parents would buy tickets. Big fund raiser, twice a year. Our vice principle was a retired Broadway dancer turned Dominican priest, we were almost as good as professional productions.

The Pansexual MELONLORD
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Please don't remind me of the conspiracy theory that our middle school play director was trying to convert us to Christianity-

Demetri
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes. "Our Town" and "Fiddler On the Roof" were offered in my senior year. One of the performers actually left school early to do "off-off Broadway" in New York.

jewel cat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

depends on the school. but we do usually put on 2 shows a year. 1 play and 1 musical

Harløw-Banditø
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not where I live. They have drama clubs but they only do a show or two a year.

HOT CHOCOLATE <3
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I WAS IN ONE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I LOVED IT UNTIL COVID HAPPENED WHY WHY WHY IMA HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR THEATRE CLUB (ok yes im in 5th grade)

PjandBolt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My school put on Shrek and it was one of the best plays I've ever seen!

Imtiredandiwannagotobed
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uh, yeah... *looks at old shreck show gear* but we don’t talk about most...

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#18

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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#21

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

sapphicnile Report

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The Zooble
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be very honest, I'm English and I usually do page count rather than word count

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#25

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

bollobas Report

#26

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

unsaidalex Report

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Caitlin Davenport
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not really. We have nearby schools we compete against in sports, but any rivalry is very light-hearted.

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#32

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

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Caitlin Davenport
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Candy was usually a very tiny part, if it was there at all. But it was the most exciting part!

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