Do high schools offer 'majors' in a specific area of study the way colleges do?

Just curious, do any high schools out there offer a sort of 'major' in a particular area of study, kind of like what colleges offer? How common is this and would it be beneficial for the college application process to have a focused area of study during high school? Thanks for the insight!

Hey there! My child recently went through the high school journey and from what I've seen, most traditional high schools do not offer 'majors' like colleges do. However, there are specialized high schools or programs where students can focus on areas such as the arts, sciences, or technology. These might operate similarly to a college major because they allow students to delve deeper into a subject they're passionate about. It's not super common, but they do exist!

For the college application process, it seems like having that kind of specialization can certainly highlight a student's interest and dedication to a field, particularly if they're planning to continue in that same area in college. It can be a way to develop a 'spike' in their application and show expertise in a specific area, which can be quite appealing to admissions officers.

For example, my child had a focus on environmental science through various projects and classes, which really shone through in her college applications when she applied to programs in that field. It wasn't her major, per se, but she was definitely able to communicate her passion for environmental science through the classes and activities she chose. Be sure to have a well-rounded experience though, so you're not putting all your eggs in one basket!