ADVERTISEMENT

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

Add photo comments
POST
gayle_bynum_cardosa avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

bieberexhale Report

Add photo comments
POST
magpiedancer avatar
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.

hnboll03 avatar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At my high school on big game days the cheerleaders did wear their uniforms during the school day in class. Even in winter basketball season!

Load More Replies...
tarracavenah_1 avatar
Wanna-be Vegetarian
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most high schools do. They aren't anymore stuck up than anyone else, it depends person to person.

lassila-alexander avatar
Aragorn II Elessar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, and they’re always the super popular girls that are usually stuck up

gwendais avatar
Gwenda Christenson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes we have cheerleaders for different sports (different cheerleaders for football, basketball, and wrestling are the most common) -- no we are not all stuck up. It can often depend on the school and its general atmosphere.

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

Cheerleaders wore their uniforms to school on game days and players wore nice clothes ( collared shirts or ties when I was in school. Cheerleaders were like everyone else.

abigaildavis_1 avatar
Abby
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was a cheerleader and most weren't stuck up just very competitive

michellec0581 avatar
Michelle C
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the school has sports teams, they usually have cheerleaders.

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

Went to HS in Texas, can confirm, it's exactly as batsh*t crazy as you think it is.

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

I'm from NY. We had them, but with 1 or 2 exceptions nice enough and did not rule the school. The jocks were a different story.

Load More Replies...
evangelinefeltman avatar
angie but who cares
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yes to the cheerleaders being evreywhere but usally only the head cheerleader is f****d up

kcodr13 avatar
Karly Codr
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For the most part, yes there are cheerleaders, and there is about a 50/50 chance that they will be stuck up.

zvaigzne-laura avatar
Lumpy Space Princess
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK, this comes from movies, but... do cheerleaders also wear their uniforms all the time, like just regular clothing?

stowejoy avatar
Joy Stowe
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Usually only on the day of the game or match. No one just wears them all the time that I know of.

Load More Replies...
sydneyschoopstudent avatar
Jamziee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of the cheerleaders that were at my middle school were

raaw350z avatar
Chris Shelton
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, but it’s not that simple, cheerleader are often beautiful/athletic/cheerful and others gravitate to them. Without parenting/mentoring from teacher/coaching a cheerleader who is also a child too, can become “stuck up” and full of themselves.

denise_zirkel avatar
Denise Zirkel
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Texas this is a big thing and is the equivalent to football. Girls are involved from an early age, attending camps to perfect their skills. Sort of like beauty pageants. It's sick.

shimmifairy avatar
Angela Jester
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes,but people ignore the athleticism required to perform the routines. Not any more than any other student.

elizabethtunney avatar
Elizabeth Tunney
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, a lot of cheerleaders.. are. Most popular kids are. I got bullied everyday for a year by the popular and cheerleader and drama squad

dezireemccullough avatar
Deziree Mccullough
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hey im a cheerleader and its true most of the girls are toxic some of are ok

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

I dislike the whole cheerleading concept. Boys play sport, girls wear short skirts and worship the boys.

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

If they have sports teams they may have cheerleaders. As for stuck up, some are and some aren't--just like people in general.

janealexander37 avatar
Jane Alexander
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only did my high school have cheerleaders with uniforms but attendance at games after school hours was compulsory. California, USA

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

I was friends with a few cheerleaders at my schools. Some were nasty and some were nice.

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

Well yes we have them and yes a lot of the time they are pretty little skinny princesses but some are actually nice.

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

Yes, any high school that has a strong sports presence will have cheerleaders. Cheerleaders are to bolster school spirit (both on and off the field) and serve as an extra curricular activity for those interested. It was primarily limited to young women but now are open to any gender provided they have the grades, money (uniforms, etc) and the athleticism to participate. As far as are they actually as stuck up as portrayed in the movies...yes. Yes they are. They often come from higher income families that can afford tutoring and the expense of supplies to participate. The air of accomplishment and entitlement tends to run high with this crowd.

sethlinn avatar
Seth Linn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Schools here get funding based on sports so they are more important than academic achievements

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

yes, and usually these cheerleaders are the most popular Girls

zephryus avatar
Cal Capone
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes and no they have low self esteem and eating disorders. Only some are stuck up.

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

I will say as a kid who had been bullied by the cheerleaders; 1 - yes. 2 - yes, with a few exceptions. And the ones that say they weren't stuck up, were probably cheerleaders. Sorry. Just my opinion.

vidimlic62 avatar
Mimi777
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was one in high school, ah some of them were in. they came across as fake friendly towards everyone.

daviddwyer avatar
David Dwyer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1)Not always 2)Not that I've heard of. In books, it is normally from a shy person's' perspective, so they see them as "Stuck-Up" even though they typically aren't.

judegepp avatar
Jude Gepp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once a cheerleader coughed at me because I'm in marching band D: They're stuck up

amy_dawson90 avatar
Amy Pattie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Freaked me out about this one. Australia had cheerleaders in the 60s so when I saw them on TV my brain went “oh cool vintage” until Lizzie Maguire became a thing.

rhemore1 avatar
Suzanne Haigh
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can not understand why it is so popular for girls to be cheerleader's, they only shake their hands and jump up and down, no brain cells needed.

ljamie04 avatar
Hollysmom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not being a hater but, don't they teach English grammar at your school?

coreyandrewwilson41314 avatar
Corey Wilson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES THEY ARE STUCK UP THEY THINK CAUSE THEY'RE CHEER LEADERS THEY SO MUCH BETTER THAN ANY ONE ELSE MOST TIME THEY COME FROM FAMILIES WITH A LITTLE MORE MONEY THAN SOME SO THAT MAKES THEM BETTER THAN SOME BODY WHO DON'T HAVE MUCH

demetriusbryant avatar
Demetri
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Yes. Almost a requirement like females taking "home economics" and dudes having to take "shop". This formally introduces "pecking orders" and helps develop the viper-tongued, thick-skinned attitude to compete because only the "best-looking and most popular" females were chosen. Plus, along with "Homecoming Queen, Drama Queen, and Class President, one needed listed "extracurriculars" for college/university, when you later applied to sororities.

rubyiat100 avatar
ArtistinResidence
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are you sure you didn’t go to school with the Brady Bunch? Everyone here takes home economics even the boys and the girls also take shop. We call it industrial technology and yes I am a teacher from the United States.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

chromaticaution Report

Add photo comments
POST
sydneyschoopstudent avatar
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)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

hilaryagro Report

Add photo comments
POST
charlotte_ahlgren avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

Nonisbitch Report

Add photo comments
POST
magpiedancer avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

Iivingxproof Report

Add photo comments
POST
tristessa avatar
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?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#12

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

argentdols Report

Add photo comments
POST
onemessylady avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

CryinInATaxi Report

Add photo comments
POST
ebryson avatar
Eva Bryson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#21

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

sapphicnile Report

Add photo comments
POST
zoetarling8 avatar
The Zooble
Community Member
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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

bollobas Report

Add photo comments
POST
magpiedancer avatar
Caitlin Davenport
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

unsaidalex Report

Add photo comments
POST
magpiedancer avatar
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.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

ThaumPenguin Report

Add photo comments
POST
magpiedancer avatar
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!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu