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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

GC
Community Member
4 years ago Created 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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    #2

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    morosexuaI Report

    konnarw1
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    mine starts at 8:00 till 3:00

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    #3

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    bieberexhale Report

    Caitlin Davenport
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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

    Jamziee
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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

    Charlotte A.
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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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    #6

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    ShadyFennec Report

    #8

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    Nonisbitch Report

    Caitlin Davenport
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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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    #9

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    kirstyclyne Report

    GlassHalfWay
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep, even a snowboard & skiing club in the Midwest.

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    #10

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    Iivingxproof Report

    ramen noodle
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    huge, loud, head-ache inducing cafeterias.

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    #12

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    argentdols Report

    Aunt Messy
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 years ago Created 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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    #13

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    wintersfalcvn Report

    Imtiredandiwannagotobed
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because we put all our budget into our announcements and lockers

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    #14

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    insatiate0 Report

    GlassHalfWay
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because a gallon would be too heavy on the lunch tray.

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    #15

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    lisaislovesick Report

    #16

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    http_taehyungs Report

    Brett
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I had school lunch that good

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    #18

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    CryinInATaxi Report

    Eva Bryson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, teachers want you in class to learn, not loitering in the bathroom.

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    #19

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    alienrat Report

    SimplySarcastic40
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yep...at least in the suburbs because most of us start driving at 16

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    #20

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    _smell_ya_later Report

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    #21

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    sapphicnile Report

    The Zooble
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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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    #22

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    LazarusRags Report

    konnarw1
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yeah i wondered this and are the woman stale or something lol

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    #23

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    ERODAVOL6 Report

    alex but festive
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ah, yes, good memories of falling/sliding down it and burning the skin off my palms. :)

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    LJ Robinson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Presidents Physical Fitness Test!! Anyone remember that? HAD to do it. Run a mile, climb a rope, balance beam etc... You about killed yourself for a little round patch you could sew on your P.E. uniform.

    Kate Mac
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The block to see how close you were to touching your toes...

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    Martha Meyer
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My German school did this too. Why not?

    Lady Lava
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, in the Netherlands too, I was pretty good at it! One of the few things I was good at in the PE classes actually...

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    Phoenix
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only in elementary I’m pretty sure

    Wolfstar
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah and I actually liked it. I got to look down on the plebians below me (joking most kids were pretty nice)

    Imtiredandiwannagotobed
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not really, we do have obstacle courses that require you to jump and swing on a rope

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

    No. It was an option one day a year and you were encouraged to try. Most kids couldn't and weren't made fun of for not being able to climb it.

    no_name
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They didn't make you try to climb a rope? It was funny, I think only one guy from whole class pulled it.

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

    my elementary let us swing from our rope. the teacher said they used to have to climb it.

    Maple Syrup
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not anymore they got rid of them in my 3rd grade. Too many broken bones and concussions

    Floor V
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had to do that too, for a grade. In the Netherlands.

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

    I think they have the sports criteria for students here as well, also swimming athletics and ball game sports as tennis and football for the ones who enjoy those sports. We would have much the same criteria as any other in PE

    Cathrine Simone
    Community Member
    3 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Yvonne Rankine
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had to at school I’m Scotland. It was the 80s though.

    Celtic Pirate Queen
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They used to. I don't know about today. I know in MY gym class most of the girls could outclimb the boys 2:1.

    Susan Egan
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They did when I was young, I couldn't do it. I don't know if it is still done.

    backatya
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    it's exercise besides it gets you use to it just in case you go to Army boot camp lol

    Martha Higgins
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man of them do. It's part of physical education class. Sports are part of the school curriculum unlike in many countries such as in Europe where sports are extracurricular and parents have to pay for their children to participate in those activities.

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

    Not mine, but g-awful ugly outfits we were suposed to wear. I never did PE 'cause I wouldn't wear them.

    BUMMERS
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do you have a better way of humiliating fat kids?

    MustardLemon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    nope i have never experienced this but I think they did somet time ago

    Pheebs
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, try. I hate heights, so that was not happening.

    Yaz Cam
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, not a thing in all American schools

    Marilyn Bojanowski
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't attend all my years of school (in and out of homeschool) but I don't have memory of having to climb a rope.

    Gwen
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It depends on the school.

    aj B
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Used to, most have given it up. Probably is a "begging for lawsuits" thing now.

    Seth Linn
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most PE classes are a joke these days, a lot of the teachers are pulled off the streets and have no business being without 20 miles of a school.

    CatWoman312
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No. We were too busy learning the electric boogie

    JessG
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Depends on their P.E. Program, and what equipment they put there

    Big
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish they did; sounds fun

    Jill Bussey
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was very good at that in my secondary school. Gymnastics was one of the few physical exercises that I enjoyed.

    Whitney Anderson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i have litterly never been or seen a rope in pe. I am a gymnast tho so i climb a 50 foot rope 12 times a week. i rlly wish we would have had a rope in pe

    Navy Blue Bandana
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have never had to do that and I hope I never will

    PearlsNotSecretRapCareer
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah. "We can climb fall from a giant rope but we can't run in the halls" -Jim Gaffigan.

    Amy Pattie
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes this was always a weird one! Every school show! We had one in our gym but never climbed it.

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

    I've (gladly) never had to do that

    Petra Schaap
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we did this in the Netherlands too

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

    Never been to one or known anyone who had one that did.

    Kim
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Did this in Sweden too. I don’t think it’s a us thing

    Demetri
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In the 60's, President Kennedy pushed this fitness movement, so--YES. Had this whole circuit to do to measure your level of fitness.

    Phunny Philosopher
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes- the dreaded Presidential Fitness Exam. Rope, pullups, measuring flexibility, it was a nightmare.

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    Marek Yanchurak
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, and it did feel kind of funny (thank you Garth). Luckily, they didn't try and make us do it in high school. In our short gym shorts. That probably would've got awkward.

    Ml7500
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We used to do it in France

    (Dramatic music plays)
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yea...... oh, the memories within the blisters.

    Noelani Stevens
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gosh no, I wouldn't get a foot off the ground. :D

    PodgyPigeon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we did that in my english first school

    Sarah
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah. It's actually pretty fun.

    N G
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We had to do that in primary school in the UK. My parents still have the photo of my brother at the top looking very pleased with himself - he was about 8. I had occasion to visit my old high school recently, and the gymnasium still had the ropes tucked away ready for use.

    The Zooble
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My arms would just shut down instantly

    Jamziee
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    not where I am, but High schoolers have told me y e s

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    #24

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    livculture Report

    #25

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    bollobas Report

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

    So we aren't "distracted". Even rooms with windows usually had the blinds closed.

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    #26

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    unsaidalex Report

    Caitlin Davenport
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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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    #27

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    prostrider Report

    SimplySarcastic40
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we had an apple machine...for $0.20 you got an apple.

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    #28

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    hemsbucky Report

    Brett
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The high school I’m going to does

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    #29

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    aidansarson7 Report

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    #31

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    00lisa0 Report

    konnarw1
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yeah sorry but you should move to america.(JK)

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    #32

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    ThaumPenguin Report

    Caitlin Davenport
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created 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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