MovieChat Forums > Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) Discussion > Don't Teens start high school at 14

Don't Teens start high school at 14


Okay I am not from the US but don't kids start high school in 9th grade. Stacey is 15 in the beginning of the film starting High School. Can anyone tell me this or is it different between schools and states.

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I knew some students who started their freshman year at 15 (I was one of them since my birthday's in August).

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There are a few factors which can affect this such as the timing of your birthday and whether or not you were held back at some point in your school career; As my birthday is in November, I was 13 at the beginning of 9th grade(and 17 when I started college...)

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In southern California, I was born in February, started Kindergarten at age 5 years and 7 months. Junior high school was 7th and 8th grades. Started high school when I was 14 years and 7 months. High school was 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. Graduated when I was 18 years and 4 months. The school year was 9 months--mid-September to mid-June. Three months off for summer. That was a long time ago--I think it's very different now, but was probably still the same in the early 1980s when the movie was made.

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My high school started at 10th grade. My junior high included 7-9th grades. It all depends on the school district.

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In 1967 @ the age of 12, I entered what we called "Junior High School" the 7th grade --- In 1970 I went into the 10th grade and that was considered "High School" until 1973 when I graduated--- I understand that NOW they start Jr High at 6th grade and call it Middle school

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