Brookline High School is a four-year public high school in the town of Brookline, Massachusetts, in the United States.

As of the 2007-08 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,826 students and 136 teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 13.4 to 1 teacher.^[1]

Boston Magazine has ranked the BHS one of the best high schools in Massachusetts for consecutive years.

Education[link]

Almost every senior in the Class of 2005 at Brookline High took the SAT I. The average score on the Verbal test was 598 and the average score on the Mathematics test was 620. The combined score — 1218 — is the highest in the history of the school.^{[citation needed]}

The Advanced Placement (AP) program has grown dramatically over the past 10 years. In 1995, 161 students took 264 AP exams. In 2005, 364 students took 648 AP exams. In 1995, 90% of the students scored “3” or above on these exams. In 2005, with 203 more students participating, Brookline High School has maintained 90% of the students scoring “3” or above on these exams.^[2]

In 2010, Boston magazine ranked Brookline High the 7th best public school in the state.^[3]

Athletics[link]

Brookline High School features the largest interscholastic athletics program in New England, with 71 teams in 40 sports.^[2] Some of the atypical sports include golf, crew, sailing and rugby.

Since 1894, the Brookline High football team plays rival Newton North High School in the traditional Thanksgiving Day game. This is one of the oldest high school football rivalries in Massachusetts and on the List of high school football rivalries (100 years+).

In 2007, Brookline's boys cross country team made history by winning the first ever Nike Team Nationals northeast regional meet by just one point over Danbury High School at Bowdin Park, NY.^[4] They went on to place 7th at Nike Team Nationals in Portland, OR.^[5] In addition to the 2007 campaign, in the 2006 and 2009 seasons the team placed 3rd at the Massachusett's Division 1 State Meet, in 2005 they finished 2nd, and on Nov. 20, 2010 won their second state championship giving them their fifth top 3 finish in six years and second 1st place finish in four. The 2011 senior-dominated squad was ranked 33rd in the nation by the ESPN Powerade Fab 50, and is currently ranked first in the MSTCA Division 1 poll.

Beginning in late 2006, there was much controversy surrounding the school mascot, the Warriors. The school department had many meetings about whether or not this mascot was politically correct and if it should remain (in the early 90s the mascot was changed from the Brookline Indians to the Warriors). One idea was to change the Brookline High mascot to the "Brookline Bookworms." Some argued that the "feathered arrow" was a tool common among cultures of all kinds throughout history including medieval Europeans and had no negative connotations relating specifically to Native Americans. After deliberation, it was decided that the mascot would remain the Warriors; however, the arrow that has represented the team for many years would have to be changed. The new symbol has yet to be determined.

In 2005, Brookline High School's Rugby Football team captured the DI New England Championship, its first since 1987. In 2009, the team captured the DII title in the NERFU tournament in Pembroke, New Hampshire. The ruggers defeated Belmont 29-0 to win the New England title for the second time in five years (first in DII).

In 2011, Brookline High School's Varisty Crew team traveled to Oak Ridge, Tennessee for national competition in which the Men's LW8+ placed 16th and the Men's 2- placed 4th.

School Within A School[link]

School Within A School (SWS) is an alternative education program based in Brookline High School. Made up of about 120 students, SWS promotes democratic education in the form of a Town Meeting every Wednesday. Students also enjoy smaller class sizes, mixed-level as well as mixed-grade english classes, and a single Dean/Guidance Counselor. Teachers are on a first name basis, and a number of committees, created during Town Meeting or outside of class, convene during the student's free blocks. The program governs itself during Town Meeting, and teachers and students participate in a fair and equal democratic community.

Notable incidents[link]

Members of Fred Phelps' anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church protested at the 2005 graduation ceremony against Brookline High's strong tolerance of homosexuality. They were met by dozens of supporters and counter-protesters.^[6] Members from the Westboro Baptist Church protested again in 2009. They were met with about 2,000 counter-protesters, including students and members of Brookline High School's staff and PTO, and various other groups from surrounding areas. Surrounded and barricaded by police and deans of Brookline High, the 'silent, not violent' counter-protest (organized by the school's GSA) took place with no altercations between the two groups.

Pop culture references[link]

Before renovations in the late '90s, Brookline High School was used as the school in The Next Karate Kid starring Hilary Swank. In the movie, a bell can be heard between classes, although the school has no bell. The outside of the school was shot as the high school in the short lived sitcom Raising Dad starring Bob Saget and as the high school Paul Rudd works at it in The Oh in Ohio starring Parker Posey, Paul Rudd, Danny DeVito, Mischa Barton and Liza Minnelli. Some exterior shots of the school was used for TV series Do Over. Brookline High School is also the school of Evan Rachel Wood's character, Lucy, in Julie Taymor's 2007 Beatles film, Across the Universe.

Notable alumni[link]

• Jeff Adrien '04, NBA player for the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets and former University of Connecticut Huskies power forward and captain.
• Lenny Baker '62, Tony Award-winning actor, I Love My Wife.
• Michael Bluestein '87, Musician. Keyboardist for multi-platinum rock band Foreigner
• Safra A. Catz, Co-president of Oracle Corporation^[7]
• Hugh B. Cave '27, Short story writer.^[8]
• Johnny Contardo '69, singer from the group Sha Na Na.
• Michael Dukakis '51, 1988 Democratic presidential nominee and former Governor of Massachusetts.^[9]
• Theo Epstein '91, President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs.^[10]
• Richard N. Goodwin '49, author, columnist, speechwriter for presidents Kennedy and Johnson.
• David Hazony '87, author, columnist, editor and translator, best known for his 2010 book The Ten Commandments (Scribner).
• John Hodgman '89, humorist and author, best known for Apple's Get a Mac advertising campaign.^[11]
• George Kenney 1907, U.S. Air Force General during World War II.
• Robert C. Kingston '47, U.S. Army General of the Korean and Vietnam wars.
• Robert Kraft '59, owner of the New England Patriots.^[12]
• Albert Maysles '44 & David Maysles '49, documentary filmmakers of Salesman, Gimme Shelter, and Grey Gardens.
• Richard Moloney, Former MLB player (Chicago White Sox)
• Fred Newman '60, professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Angels.
• Conan O'Brien '81, comedian
• Tom Osenton '71, economist, author, for CEO The Sporting New Publishing Company
• Francis Ouimet '11, professional golfer and winner of the 1913 U.S Open.^[13]
• Paul Pender '49, World middleweight boxing champion.
• Alan L. Rachins '60, actor, Dharma and Greg, L.A. Law.^[14]
• Eli "Paperboy" Reed '02, musician
• Joseph D. Reitman '86, actor, ex-husband of Shannon Elizabeth
• Dan Rosenthal '84, member of the White House Senior Staff under Bill Clinton
• Gabe Sapolsky '90, pro wrestling promoter of ECW and Ring of Honor
• Lew Schneider '79, Hollywood producer of Everybody Loves Raymond and American Dad.^[10]
• Mike Wallace '35, journalist, 60 Minutes.^[15]
• Joe Walsh, Former MLB player (Boston Bees)
• Rick Weitzman '63, professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics.^[13]
• Jonathon Riley '97, 2004 Olympian in the 5000m run^[16]
• James Driscoll '96, Professional Golfer PGA Tour PGA Tour.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Brookline Schools website

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2011)

High school is a term used in parts of the English-speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education, but not always the highest years of basic education, which can be called a "secondary school" or "secondary college" or other terms, depending on the nation or region (see below: Usage by country). The phrase "high school" is often incorporated into the name of the related institutions.

The term (as "high school") originated in Scotland, with the world's oldest being Edinburgh's Royal High School from 1505.^[1][2] The Royal High School was used as a model for the first public high school in the United States, the English High School founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1821. The precise stage of schooling provided by a high school differs from country to country, and may vary within the same jurisdiction. In all of New Zealand and Malaysia along with parts of Australia, Bangladesh and Canada, high school is synonymous with secondary school, and encompasses the entire secondary stage of education.

Usage by country[link]

Australia[link]

In Australia, the term "high school" refers to secondary school, from Year 7 or Year 8 through to Year 12, varying from state to state. High school immediately follows primary (elementary) school; therefore, a Year 7 Australian high school student is sometimes as young as 11. In Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, the term "high school" generally refers to Years 7–10, whereas the term "College" is used for Years 11–12. In Victoria the term "secondary college" has largely replaced the term "high school" following the reforms of the Labor Government in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Some schools have retained the name "high school" (such as Melbourne High School) and many have now dropped the "secondary" and are simply known as "college".

The later years of high school are known as the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in New South Wales for Year 12, Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) in Victoria for Years 11 and 12 and similar names in other states.

A student's first examination marks in New South Wales and a combination of examination marks and coursework in other states (except Queensland) are indexed into the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). This index is usually the sole factor considered when applying for university courses. The ATAR was only introduced in 2009 (in NSW), and previously each state calculated its own final high school rank, such as the Universities Admission Index (UAI) in NSW and Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank (ENTER) in Victoria.

Victorian students also have an opportunity to complete a high school qualification under the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning which gives students practical experience in a trade or workplace. This qualification generally leads students into a trade or TAFE course.

Belgium and the Netherlands[link]

In Belgium and the Netherlands, the term "high school" is used for vocational university; instead the Dutch "Middelbaar" is used for secondary education schools, or "École secondaire" or "Humanités" in French, which translates to middle or secondary school. Students are required to attend from ages 13 to 18, scheduling between 32 and 36 hours of class a week. In Belgium there are 4 levels of "high school" : ASO, TSO, KSO and BSO.

• BSO (Beroepssecundair onderwijs) translated as 'profession high school', allows a student to pursue an occupation upon graduation.
• TSO (technisch secundair onderwijs) translated as 'technical high school' allows a student to pursue an occupation or additional education upon graduation.
• KSO (kunst secundair onderwijs) translated as 'art high school' leads to further arts education upon graduation.
• ASO (algemeen secondair onderwijs) translated as general 'high school' is designed specifically to prepare students for further education upon graduation.

This system only applies to Belgium.

In the Netherlands there are 4 levels of "high school": 'Praktijkonderwijs', VMBO, HAVO and VWO.

• 'Praktijonderwijs' roughly translates to 'practical education', and is generally only intended for students who are otherwise incapable of VMBO. Obligatory till the student reaches 18 years of age.
• VMBO (Voorbereidend Middelbaar BeroepsOnderwijs), roughly translates to 'preparatory profession high school", students age 12-16. It is obligatory for students who complete VMBO to continue in MBO.
• MBO (Middelbaar BeroepsOnderwijs), roughly translates to 'profession high school", students age 16-up. The first two years are still obligatory, and is therefore still considered secondary education by the Dutch government.
• HAVO (Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs), roughly translated as 'general secondary school', age 12-17. Prepares students for medium level tertiary education (HBO).
• VWO (Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs), meaning "pre- university" ("Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs" is the term used in the Netherlands for education at university level), is the secondary education form after which students go into the university. Ages 12-18.

Brazil[link]

In Brazil, the term for secondary school is Ensino Médio ("Medial education", Portuguese pronunciation: [ẽˈsĩnu] or [ĩˑˈsĩnu ˈmɛdʒ(j)u]), which comprises the last three years of school.

It is part of the Brazilian ensino básico ([ẽˈsĩnu ˈbaziku], "basic education"), which does include early childhood, elementary and secondary education (the latter 2 mandatory), all of those part of the Brazilian public education that should be provided free, as obligations of municipal (only for early childhood and elementary education) or state governments, to all its citizens (including adults) as defined in the rights of the Constitution of Brazil, and the duration is ideally 18 years if one enters the creche at its 0 year (pronounced [ˈkɾɛʃi], in Brazil this term is synonymous with nursery school or preschool).

Secondary school in Brazil is aimed to prepare students for the entrance exam to universities (private or public) called "Vestibular". Every year, students are evaluated by ENEM – Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (National High School Exam). The grade obtained in this exam is often used as a part of the Vestibular process. The Federal Government of Brazil offers full (100%) or partial (50%) scholarships at private Universities for students well graded in ENEM egressed from public high schools in the program called PROUNI – Programa Universidade para Todos (University for Everyone Program). The secondary school learning encompasses four fields of knowledge:

1. Humanities (History, Geography, Philosophy, Sociology and Arts);
2. Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology);
3. Mathematics;
4. Languages (Portuguese and Língua estrangeira — at least one foreign language, English and/or Spanish).

Recently Philosophy and Sociology, which were banned during the military dictatorship (1964–1985), became compulsory again.

Educação física ("physical education", or gymnastics) classes are generally disponible and may be part of the Vestibular (both write and in practice) if one is disputing certain university courses. Other foreign languages, such as French or Esperanto, can also be disponible depending on school. Informática (in this case referring to "computer science") and Música ("music education") are rather rarer.

Canada[link]

In Canada, "High School" (also known as "Secondary school" or "Collegiate Institute") generally refers to a school comprising grades nine through twelve, but this can vary between provinces and school districts. Each province and territory of Canada has its own education system, with some provinces having "Junior High", whilst others have post-grade ten secondary school, sometimes known as "Senior High". The majority of high schools in Canada schedule classes running from late August or early September to mid or late June with a summer break during July and August.

Canadian high schools offer many extracurricular activities, including athletics. The most popular sports in Canadian high schools are ice hockey, rugby, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, football, baseball, basketball, track and field athletics, and volleyball. Senior prom, also known as "grad" or "formal", is a very popular activity amongst graduating students. Many non-sporting extra-curricular activities are offered in Canadian high schools, including drama, yearbook club, and computer club.

An increasing number of international students are attending Canadian high schools. Among all boarding secondary schools in Canada, Columbia International College is the largest, with around 1,400 international students from 66 countries.

Czech Republic[link]

The Czech school system has three degrees matching common imagination of high school:

• Elemetary school (from 6 - 15 yo, mandatory)
• Gymnasium, sometimes translated as grammar school (generally from 11 - 19 yo)
• High school (generally from 16 - 19 yo) - high school in Czech (literally "vysoka skola") means university or college

The elementary school leaving qualification usually corresponds to the USA High school diploma.

Finland[link]

After completing nine-year comprehensive school at the age of 16, one has the chance to go to a vocational school (ammattikoulu/yrkesskola) or an upper secondary school (lukio/gymnasium), the latter sometimes translated as "high school" in English. In the vocational school one can study to be an electrician, hairdresser, plumber etc. In upper secondary school students take about 30 courses per year on a variety of different subjects (Maths, Biology, Chemistry, different languages, Psychology, Health Education etc.). Normally they graduate in three years, usually at the age of 19, after taking the national matriculation exam (ylioppilaskirjoitukset/studentskrivningar). Typically students continue to university (yliopisto/universitet) or ammattikorkeakoulu, but some decide not to go to any school after secondary school.

France[link]

See Secondary education in France#Lycée

Germany[link]

Germany has a tripartite school system consisting of Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium but with many variants. The most prominent of these is the Gesamtschule, which is a comprehensive school. Hauptschule, which ends at grade 9 (age 15/16 years), and Realschule, that ends at grade 10 (also age 16 years), are often followed by vocational education or the attendance of a technical college. Most primary schools already end with grade 4 (age 10 years) but some have grades 5 and 6 (age 11 and 12 years, respectively); the change between different school types, and thus tracks, remains possible throughout the school years. The German equivalent of the high school are the grades 10 to 12 (age 16 to 18 years) of Gymnasium, which are called "Oberstufe". To a lesser degree the vocational education in the dual education system could also be seen as an equivalent of high school. Traditionally, the high school grades were the grades 11 to 13 (age 17 to 19 years). But this has been shortened or is about to be shortened in all federal states to either 10 to 12 or 11 to 12.

India[link]

In India, high school is a grade of education which includes Standards (Grades) VII to X. Standards (Grades) XI to XII are called as Higher Secondary School or Senior Secondary School or Junior college. Some states refer to Standards(Grades) IX and X as High School, while XI and XII are termed as Intermediate. Other states refer to VI, VII, VIII, IX and X (grades 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) as Secondary school and XI and XII (grades 11 and 12) as Senior Secondary School or Higher Secondary School. Usually, students from ages 14 to 18 study in this section. These schools may be affiliated to national boards/ Councils like Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) or National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or various state boards.

Some states refer Primary School with grades 1, 2, 3 and 4, and Secondary School with grades 5 to 10. After senior secondary school, students go to university for higher studies.

Indonesia[link]

Sekolah Menengah Pertama or abbreviated as SMP, and the other part which is senior high school, known locally as Sekolah Menengah Atas and in other terms, Sekolah Menengah Umum which are abbreviated as SMA and SMU respectively. There is also one institution similar to SMA, but they focused on one specific career major which is known as Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan or SMK. Unfortunately, citizens of Indonesia are currently looking down on SMK graduates and are not preferable to be attended by students. Junior high school is a must for all citizens of Indonesia while Senior high school is not compulsory because Indonesia is currently applying nine years of study to all citizens. It is managed by the Department of Education in Indonesia and stated in the Indonesian constitution where every citizen has the right to study. Graduate students from SMP and SMA or SMU and SMK are achieving different educational certificates. All the students of Indonesian high schools must pass in the National Examination (or UN, Ujian Nasional) held by BSNP (Badan Standarisasi Nasional Pendidikan), an organization under the Department of Education of Indonesia.

Iran[link]

In Iran, "High school" is known in Persian as "Dabirestan". It takes 4 years, after the Middle school (Rahnamai). After the first year of high school, students choose their general branch (Mathematics and Physics, Experimental sciences, Social sciences, Arts, etc.).

There is also Technical high school (Fani va Herfehi) for boys and girls.

Ireland, Republic of[link]

In Ireland, "High School" is known as Secondary School. Students attend Secondary School after Primary School. There are two cycles, Junior and Senior as well as an optional (depending on the school) Transition Year.

Israel[link]

Bagrut certificate from an Israeli high school

Italy[link]

Education in Italy is compulsory from 6 to 18 years of age,[1] and is divided into five stages: kindergarten (scuola materna), elementary school (scuola elementare), middle school (scuola media), secondary school (scuola superiore) and university (università).[2] Italy has both public and private education systems. In Italy a state-run school system has existed since 1859, when the Legge Casati (Casati Act) mandated educational responsibilities for the forthcoming Italian state (Italian unification took place in 1861).

In 1999, in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Bologna Process, the Italian university system switched from the old system (vecchio ordinamento, which led to the traditional 5-year Laurea degree), to the new system (nuovo ordinamento). The nuovo ordinamento split the former Laurea into two different tracks: the Laurea triennale (a three-year degree akin to the Bachelor's Degree), followed by the 2-year Laurea specialistica (Master's Degree), the latter renamed Laurea Magistrale in 2007. A credit system was established to quantify the amount of work needed by each course and exam (25 work hours = 1 credit), as well as enhance the possibility to change course of studies or to continue studies in a foreign country after the first 3 years. It is now established that there is just a five-year degree "Laurea Magistrale Ciclo Unico" for programmes such as Law.

Japan[link]

Japanese high school students wearing the seifuku

The Japanese word for a high school is kōtōgakkō (高等学校; literally high school), or kōkō (高校) in short. High school in Japan covers grades 10 through 12. Although it is not mandatory, some 99% of Japanese people attend high school. The third year of high school in Japan is allotted for students to prepare for college exams known as "juken" (受験). Others may wish to settle for a job instead. High schools in Japan are referred to by MEXT as "upper secondary schools." Most English-language newspapers and sources use the term "high school". Many school boards also use "high school"; for instance the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Board of Education uses "senior high school". Generally the high school students spent most of the time out of the home. Classes commonly end at 3 or 4. After that the students go for their club activities.

Lithuania[link]

In Lithuanian education system, aukštoji mokykla, which is a literal translation of "high school", actually refers to a college or a university, but not an institution that provides secondary education. Thus, universitetas (university) and kolegija (college) are both covered by the umbrella term aukštoji mokykla.

Secondary education is provided by institutions that are approved by the government for this type of education. There are three types of these institutions:

• pagrindinė mokykla (the general school) – covers ages 7 to 16 (grades 1 to 10)
• gimnazija, licėjus (gymnasium, lyceum) – covers ages 15 to 18 (grades 9 to 12)
• vidurinė mokykla (secondary school) – covers ages 7 to 18 (grades 1 to 12)

Pagrindinė mokykla provides only an incomplete secondary education as it is not sufficient if one wants to start studies at a university. People who want to continue their education to obtain the full secondary education diploma, which would allow them to join a university upon completing the pagrindinė mokykla, must either enter a gymnasium, lyceum, or a vidurinė mokykla.

A vidurinė mokykla is the most universal type of these institutions as it offers all levels of pre-college education, starting from elementary level up to the secondary level.

Malaysia[link]

One of the high schools in Malaysia, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Padang Tembak

In Malaysia, the term "secondary school" is almost always used in the place of "high school". Secondary education is compulsory and it usually begins at the age of 13 in Form One (Tingkatan Satu) and goes on until Form Five (Tingkatan Lima). Students from forms 1 until 3 are referred as lower secondary students meanwhile students of forms 4 until 6 are called upper secondary students. After completing Form Five, the students have a choice of entering Form Six (Tingkatan Enam) before proceeding to further their studies elsewhere.

A number of standardised tests are taken by students throughout their schooling years. To continue onto secondary schools, primary school students must undergo the Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (Primary School Evaluation Exam) in their sixth and final year of primary education. At the age of 15 in Form Three (Tingkatan Tiga), the pupils sit for the Penilaian Menengah Rendah exam (Lower Secondary Assessment). Depending on their results in that exam, students can choose to enroll in one of several specific streams available upon entering Form Four (Tingkatan Empat). At the end of secondary education, the pupils sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia exam (Malaysian Certificate of Education). If they choose to continue to Form Six, they are required to sit for the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia examination (Malaysian Higher School Certificate). Once the pupils have completed Form Five (or Form Six for certain students), they have officially completed secondary school.

It is mandatory for students in secondary schools to wear the school uniforms as allotted by the government. Boys are required to wear white shirts and olive green short trousers; or olive green long trousers; or white trousers (generally for Form Six students alone). On the other hand, Girls are required to wear turquoise pinafores over white shirts (Form One to Form Five); or turquoise or cream-coloured skirts with white blouses (generally only for Form Six students); or white baju kurung (a long tunic that covers the arms) over long turquoise skirts (Form One to Form Six).

Mexico[link]

In Mexico, the term "high school" usually corresponds to preparatoria or bachillerato, comprising grades 10–12, when the student is 15 to 18 years old. It may prepare the student with basic training for a job, and is the required step before enrolment into a college or university.

Preparatoria traditionally consists of 3 years of education, divided into 6 semesters, with the first 4 semesters having a common curriculum, and the latter ones allowing some degree of specialization, either in physical sciences (electricity, chemistry, biology, etc.) or social sciences (commerce, philosophy, law, etc.).

The term preparatoria is most commonly used for institutions that offer a 3-year educational program that "prepares" the student with general knowledge to continue studying at a university. In contrast, the term bachillerato is most often used for institutions that provide vocational training, either in 2 or 3 years, so the graduate can get a job as a skilled worker, for example, an assistant accountant, a secretary or an electronics technician.

New Zealand[link]

The term "high school" is commonly used as a term for secondary school in New Zealand. Secondary education in New Zealand takes up to five years, covering the approximate ages 13 to 18, corresponding to the school years 9 to 13.

The current and most common qualification system implemented throughout New Zealand's secondary schools is the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). NCEA 'standards' or tests/assignments begin usually with NCEA Level 1 in Year 11 (previously 5th form)and continue through to NCEA Level 2 at Year 12 (previously 6th form) and NCEA Level 3 at Year 13 (previously 7th form). Some assignments/tests are completed as early as Year 9 or 10, depending on the school and individual students.

High school students in New Zealand are taught a range of subjects. In year 9, the compulsory subjects are Mathematics, English, Physical Education, Social Studies and Science, as well as optional classes, such as Woodworking, Dance, Drama, Art, Graphics, Music, and a choice of languages, being mostly Māori, Spanish, French, German or Japanese, depending on the geographic location of the school and availability of teachers able to teach the respective subjects.

It is common for students in New Zealand to wear uniforms. Uniform styles vary widely between schools and are generally more casual compared to the more 'formal' uniforms worn in Australia's equivalent schools.

Norway[link]

High school, (Norwegian: "Videregående Skole", English: "Continuational School"), in Norway is education and training that lead to general university admissions certification or vocational competence. Nearly all Norwegian students enter high school the year they become 16, and it is their 11th year of education. High school is normally provided with 3 years in school or with 2 years in school and 2 years in an enterprise. General studies primarily emphasize theoretical knowledge and lead to general university admissions certification. If you choose general studies courses, you can enter university after 3 years. Vocational education and training leads to an occupation and to vocational competence with or without a craft- or journeyman’s certificate. Choosing vocational education/training allows you to enter working life within 3–5 years. You also have an opportunity to take the supplementary programme for general university admissions certification.

High School in Norway is the most common education level as it provides the theoretical and practical education to work as a skilled worker e.g. a carpenter or chef. There are multiple basic programs to choose from and gives a complete understanding of the craft or profession obtained.

List of programs: 3 general studies

• Sports and physical education
• Music, dance and drama with programme areas
  • Music
  • Dance
  • Drama
• Specialization in general studies with programme areas
  • Arts, crafts and design studies
  • Natural science and mathematics studies
  • Languages, social science and economics studies

9 vocational

• Building and construction
• Design, arts and crafts
• Electricity and electronics
• Health and social care
• Media and communication (with the option of general studies Vg3)
• Agriculture, fishing and forestry (with the option of general studies Vg3)
• Restaurant and food processing
• Service and transport
• Technical and industrial production

A craftman or journeyman’s certificate is normally the only qualification needed to work in ones chosen profession. Further education is provided through technical school, which gives a more technical education at an advanced level, but is not college.

Pakistan[link]

In Pakistan, the term "high school" isn't often used to describe schools; nevertheless, the term encompasses grades 9 to 10. There are two high school systems prevalent there. First is the local matriculation system which is administered by both Federal^[3] and Provincial Boards of Education and includes grades 9 and 10 after which pupils may be admitted into college (Intermediate). The second major education board there is the Cambridge International Exams GCE Ordinary Level conducted by the British Council.

Palestine[link]

Education in the Palestine refers to the educational system in Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Enrollment rates amongst Palestinians are relatively high by regional and global standards. According to a youth survey in 2003, 60% between the ages 10–24 indicated that education was their first priority. Youth literacy rate (the ages 15–24) is 98.2%, while the national literacy rate is 91.2%^[4]

People's Republic of China[link]

Lists of newly admitted students – posted outside of Linxia High School

In China, the term 'high school', also 'senior middle school' (高中), often refers to the senior part of the Chinese secondary education, as opposed to the junior part, which is more commonly known as '(junior) middle school'. Normally, students who have finished six years of primary education will continue three more years of academic study in middle schools as regulated by the Compulsory education law at the age of twelve. This is not compulsory for senior secondary education, where junior graduates may choose to continue a three-year academic education in academic high schools, which will eventually lead to university, or to switch to a vocational course in vocational high schools.

Generally, high school years usually have two semesters, starting in September and February. In some rural areas, operation may subject to agricultural cycles. Number of lessons offered by school on a weekly basis is very subjective, largely depends on the school's resource. In addition to normal lessons, periods for private study and extracurricular activity are provided as well. The academic curriculum consists of Chinese, Mathematics, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, Music, Fine Arts, PE, Technology, Computing etc. Some schools may also offer vocational subjects. Generally speaking, Chinese, Mathematics and English are considered to be the three main subjects as they will definitely be examined in Gaokao.

In China cities, the majority of high school graduates will go onto universities or vocational colleges. Given the fact that the intensity of the competition for limited university places is unimaginable, most high schools are evaluated by their academic performance in Gaokao by parents and students.

Rural secondary education has undergone several transformations since 1980, when county-level administrative units closed some schools and took over certain schools run by the people's communes. In 1982 the communes were eliminated. In 1985 educational reform legislation officially placed rural secondary schools under local administration. There was a high dropout rate among rural students in general and among secondary students in particular, largely because of parental attitudes. All students, especially males, were encouraged to attend secondary school if it would lead to entrance to a college or university (still regarded as prestigious) and escape from village life.

Philippines[link]

In the Philippines, high school is a part of a 10-year compulsory education which runs for 4 years after the 6 years education for grade school. The levels for high school are usually identified as:

• First Year
• Second Year
• Third Year
• Fourth Year

And informally identified by counterpart names in college:

• Freshman
• Sophomore
• Junior
• Senior

A notable exception is the University of the Philippines Integrated School (or UPIS) where high school is integrated with elementary school, hence the last 4 years are referred to as grades 6-10.

Children normally enter high school from age 12 or 13 and complete it when they reach age 15 or 16. Everyone who finishes high school normally receives a high school diploma by participating in a graduation ceremony and a transcript of records (DepEd Form 137-A). Aside from a few exceptions granted by law, a high school diploma is a requirement in entering college/university.

Classes in the Philippines start in June and end in March with a recognition ceremony (for First Year to Third Year), and a graduation ceremony (for graduating Fourth Year students).

By the year 2011, the government announced that the Philippines will soon be upgrading its education by adopting the K-12 system. The affected students are yet to be clarified.

Romania[link]

In Romania, high school is commonly referred to as liceu (lyceum in English). The students usually enter the lyceum at the age of 14 or 15, and graduate when they're 18 or 19. In order to graduate and get a baccalaureate diploma, they must pass the BAC exam, and they must have fulfilled the four years (9-12) of post-secondary education. The high school diploma is enough to get a job in various domains.

Singapore[link]

In Singapore, schooling for those in the age range of 13 to 16 takes place in a secondary school, in accordance with the British system in England and Wales. Certain schools are known as high schools such as the Dunman High School and Singapore American School. This suggests that the school follows a U.S. curriculum and syllabus in addition to British "O"-levels or incorporate core elements of U.S. education system, such as equal emphases in both the sciences and the arts, offering a variety of subject options.

Spain[link]

In Spain, after Elementary school, there is secondary school, which are grades 7 to 10. They are called 1º de la ESO, 2º de la ESO, 3º de la ESO and 4º de la ESO. ESO stands for Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, which would be translated as Obligatory Secondary Education. What they call High School in Spain would be the baccalaureate, which are grades 11 and 12. In these two grades there are common subjects to all the students, and the elective subjects which vary depending on the career you want to study in the university. The education is more specialized in different areas: there are the pure sciences, in which you take physics, chemistry and biology (for science careers). You can also choose mixed sciences, in which the elective subjects are physics, chemistry, and technical drawing (for engineering careers and architecture and design), there is also humanities, which involve subjects such as economics and history. The fourth modality is pure letters, specialized in languages (philology careers), and the elective subjects are Greek and Latin. Last, you can choose arts, which you have three different types, depending on the art: dancing, drawing, and drama.

South Africa[link]

In South Africa, high school begins at grade 8. Students study for five years, at the end of which they write what is known as "matric" (see Matriculation in South Africa).

As of 2008, students sit the National Senior Certificate examinations, which replaced the Senior Certificate and Further Education and Training Certificate. To progress on to university, students must attain a pass in their Home Language, an Additional Language, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation, as well as at least three electives; see further under National Senior Certificate. (The system previously allowed for an examination at the Higher or Standard grade for each subject. Since 2008, this has been discontinued. Relatedly, some components of the previous mathematics syllabus are now examined as electives.)

An alternative Matric examination is offered by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), a body representing various of the private schools in South Africa. The IEB exams are considered by many teachers, parents, students and universities, both within South Africa and abroad, as more challenging than the state equivalent.^{[citation needed]}

South Korea[link]

In South Korea, students from grades 10 through 12 attend high schools. Some subjects such as Korean, English, math, etc. are obligatory in high schools, while students may choose the class they wish to ake for some other subjects in liberal arts. High schools in South Korea may also have subject specialty tracks. For example, students who have a talent for science, foreign language, physical activity, art, etc. may choose to go to an academic science, foreign language, or other specialty high school (Hangul:특수목적고등학교, Revised:Teuksu-Mokjeok Godeung Hakgyo). These high schools are often hard to get into, especially science and foreign language, which creates competition to go to a good high school.

Academic high schools in South Korea are known to have demanding academic courses and strict discipline. It is usual in South Korea that academic high schools open before 8:00 am starting with one-hour self-study and end around 11:00 pm due to about 5 additional (mandatory) hours of self-study time (자습). While U.S. President Barack Obama stated that U.S. schools should follow the rigorous academic courses of South Korean high schools, some Korean people hold the high school education in Korea to be too competitive.

Most Korean students may choose to go to common high school (Hangul:인문계 고등학교; Revised:Inmungye godeung hakgyo) ; and other students may choose a vocational track high school which emphasizes agriculture, commerce, or technical trade curricula (hangul:전문계 고등학교; Revised:'Jeonmungye godeung hakgyo)

Unlike most developed countries, high schools in South Korea are neither free nor compulsory. However, 97 percent of Korean students do complete high school, according to a 2005 OECD study.^{[citation needed]}

High schools are called 고등학교 (Revised: Godeung Hakgyo, McCune–Reischauer: Kodŭng Hakkyo).

Taiwan[link]

The secondary education in Taiwan includes junior high school, senior high school, vocational high school, military school and complete high school. The traditional secondary education institutions were established during the Japanese colonial era (1895–1945). Today, they include many features from the United States.

After six years in elementary school, the rules typically state that children must enter junior high school, or their parents may be fined. There are three grades in junior high. Children who achieve the third grade can choose to enter senior high school, vocational high school or complete high school. If children want to continue their formal education, they must sit for an exam. Generally speaking, the grade to enter high school and complete high school is highest, while it is lower to go on to vocational high school and military school.

Senior high school has three grades. Graduates from senior high school often continue on to university. Vocational high school has three grades as well. Children who complete vocational high school can then enter a technological university. Complete high school is like that of American high schools, in that it has grades seven to grade twelve.

There are also international schools such as Taipei American School (TAS), Taipei Adventist Preparatory Academy (TAPA), Taipei Adventist American School (TAAS), National Experimental High School (NEHS), Taipei European School (TES), Hshinchu International School (HIS), and Morrison Academy (MCA). These schools offer grades from Kindergarten to grade 12. English is instructed for all courses. Since the curriculum concurs with the corresponding country's curriculum, graduates from these international schools generally do not stay in Taiwan for their undergraduate degree.

United Kingdom[link]

England & Wales[link]

Medina High School, one of the five state-maintained high schools on the Isle of Wight.

Despite the term "high school" being created in Scotland, the education system of the United Kingdom varies by constituent country, so in neighbouring England and Wales the term's usage varies. In some cases, the phrase is used specifically for girls' schools (e.g. Bedford High School). In certain areas, such as Liverpool (e.g. Alsop High School), Manchester (see list of secondary schools in Manchester), Lancashire, Cardiff, and Herefordshire, secondary schools are generally called high schools.

Most of the country adopts a two-tier schooling system, consisting of a "Primary" (Reception & Years 1 – 6 – or ages 4 – 11) and a "Secondary" (Years 7 – 11, often also including a "Sixth Form", aka Years 12 & 13, or lower/upper sixth. Ages 11 – 16 and ages 16 – 18 in the Sixth Form College) school. An 11-year-old is in Year 7, but then turns 12 during the school terms or holidays. Same for the other years. 15-to-16-year-olds take their GCSEs, in which they receive levels (or grades) that they take with them to a Sixth Form. These have limited spaces and most Sixth Forms only take the best students.

Some of the country chooses a three-tier system, with the addition of a "middle" or "junior" (Years 5 – 8) school, while the primary and secondary schools still exist in the areas and just change their age span to Reception – Year 4 and Year 9 – 11 (Plus Sixth Form, usually) respectively. In these areas, secondary schools are often unofficially referred to as "high schools" to avoid confusion, after all, it is not the 'second' school. The term "tertiary" is never used to describe secondary or high schools in such areas.

• The Isle of Wight retains a three-tier schooling system. Its five state-run 'high schools' are so named to differentiate them from secondary schools, which have a different age range.
• In Northumberland and some areas in Suffolk, Somerset, Staffordshire and Worcestershire there also exists a three-tier education system comprising First, Middle, and High school. High schools within Northumberland and Suffolk cater for pupils from Year Nine to Sixth Form (ages 13 to 18). There is currently a fairly high-profile campaign within Northumberland to save the three-tier system as it has been proposed to abolish it and adopt the standard primary and secondary school system as in the rest of England.

Scotland[link]

Balwearie High School in Kirkcaldy – an example of a High School in Scotland

There are a variety of names used for secondary schools in Scotland, of which High School remains the most popular. Secondary schools in Scotland typically have 6 years, 1st to 6th, with pupils able to leave school from 4th year if they are 16 before a set date. Pupils generally go into 1st year aged 11 or 12, and leave after 6th year aged 17 or 18. In certain independent schools, there is a transitus year for pupils around 10 or 11 between primary and secondary education.

The term is used in both the state and independent school sectors - such as Stirling High School in the former and the High School of Glasgow in the latter. The oldest of such institutions is the Royal High School of Edinburgh. Among state schools, other popular titles for secondary institutions include Academy, Grammar School, College or simply School. Some schools have changed their designations over time - for example, Prestwick Academy in Ayrshire was formerly called "Prestwick High School", and the John Neilson Institution in Paisley, Renfrewshire became the John Neilson High School.

Northern Ireland[link]

In Northern Ireland a child serves seven years in Primary School labelled as P1-P7. Secondary school or high school is compulsory for a further 5 years. This is called First Form to Fifth form or Year 8 to Year 12. GCSEs are taken in Fifth Form (Year 12). Lower and Upper Sixth (Year 13 and Year 14) are then years that A Levels are taken in but they are optional. In lower sixth you can also change schools and attend a Technical College with vocational subjects on offer.

The school term runs from 1 July to 30 June (the same as Scotland) This is different with English and Welsh schools which run from 1 September to 31 August meaning that a child born in the summer months would be the oldest in the year group if born in Northern Ireland or Scotland but would be put into the older class and become the youngest in the year group if born in England or Wales. This means that if a child wanted to go to university after their final year they must be 18 years old before 30 June of that year. In England and Wales the child must be 18 before 31 August.

United States[link]

Individual states, counties, and school districts have considerable leeway in how they choose to divide their school levels. Students will generally graduate from high school in the year of their 18th birthday if they were born between January 1 and August 31, but this varies by state depending on the kindergarten cut-off date, which ranges from August 1 in Missouri to January 1 in Connecticut.^[5] A few American schools still incorporate grades 7 through 12, but it is usually either grades 9–12 or grades 10–12. Some states split grades 9–10 and 11–12 into a junior high school and senior high school. For purposes of the Grade Point Average (GPA) and subject requirements used for college admission, grade 9 is usually considered the first year of high school regardless of whether the student is in the last year of a 7–9 junior high program, or the first year of a 9–12 high school program.

As a practical matter, while laws in most states mandate school attendance at least until graduation or age 16, many require attendance until age 17 or 18 (unless the student earns a diploma earlier, usually around age 16). Conversely, students who have failed a grade may remain in high school past the age of 18. In general, students over 19 attend remedial classes to receive a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate. State laws vary on the cut-off age for students to receive free public education services. Many states have adult high schools for people generally 18 and over. Students can stay in high school past the age of 18 if it is deemed appropriate. They cannot stay past a certain age depending on the state. On average, 71% of American students graduate from high school.^[6][7][8][9] A high school diploma or GED certificate is usually required for entrance into a two or four-year college or university and to other post-secondary education programs.

High schools can usually be sub-classed as general high schools, vocational schools (VoTech schools), magnet schools, and college preparatory high schools (prep schools) and special high schools or alternative high schools. Most high schools are general high schools. These general population schools offer college preparatory classes for advanced students, general education classes for average students, and remedial courses for those who are struggling.

In some school districts exceptionally high-performing students are offered enrollment at a district college preparatory high school. Traditionally "prep schools" in North America were usually private institutions, though most medium or large public (state) school districts now offer university-preparatory schools for advanced students. Public prep schools draw the top students from their district and have strict entrance requirements. All academic classes offered in these schools are classified as honors, International Baccalaureate, or Advanced Placement.

In larger school districts, magnet schools are established to provide enhanced curriculum for one or more areas of study. Magnet schools may be created for a variety of topics such as mathematics, science, fine arts, and music. Admission (usually controlled) to magnet schools varies by school district in order to manage demand and resources. The school admission process may range from competitive admission standards to a lottery system.

Vocational high schools offer hands-on training to students that prepares them for careers in fields such as information technology, marketing, business, engineering and the medical professions. While some graduates of vocational or career and technical education high schools will go directly into a trade, others will pursue post-secondary education. The Association for Career and Technical Education is the largest national education association dedicated to career and technical education.

Special high schools cater for students who have special educational needs, e.g. because of learning difficulties or physical disabilities. Some special high schools are offered for students who have major disciplinary or mental health difficulties that make it problematic to educate them in traditional high school settings. Some special high schools are assigned as security risks, where the school houses students who are not yet old enough to legally leave school and are considered a danger to other students or teachers, but have not been convicted of a crime. Some special high schools are dedicated to students with drug or mental health difficulties and have medical and psychological staff on site. A few of these schools include a nursery and a child care staff so that teen parents can finish their education without having to find child care during the school day. Special high schools have their own campus, but sometimes are located in a section or wing of a general high school.

Another recent form of high school that has emerged is the online high school. Stanford University's own Education Program for Gifted Youth received a generous donation in 2006 and used it to create the first truly complete online high school, with an interactive and advanced program for advanced learners.

High school in the United States usually begins in late August or early September of each year and ends in late May or early June. During the excess two and a half months, the students are given summer vacation to rest from the school year. In some cases schools use a year round schedule.

• 9th Grade – Freshman Year Starting at 13 to 15 years of age
• 10th Grade – Sophomore Year Starting at 14 to 16 years of age
• 11th Grade – Junior Year Starting at 15 to 17 years of age
• 12th Grade – Senior Year Starting at 16 to 18 years of age (This would make a student graduate 16, 17, 18, 19, or, in some cases, 20 years of age.)

The first public high school in America was established by the City of Boston in 1821 as The English High School.

See also[link]

Schools portal

• High school bullying

References[link]

External links[link]

• Australian CensusAtSchool (Australia)
• Canadian Education Statistics Council (CESC) (United States)
• Office of National Statistics (ONS) (United Kingdom)
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) (United States)
• High School Sports

Nicolas Cage
Cage at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International.
Born	Nicolas Kim Coppola (1964-01-07) January 7, 1964 (age 48)[1] Long Beach, California, US
Occupation	Actor, producer, director
Years active	1980–present
Spouse	Patricia Arquette (1995–2001) Lisa Marie Presley (2002–2004) Alice Kim (2004–present)
Children	Weston Coppola Cage Kal-El Cage
Parents	August Coppola (deceased) Joy Vogelsang
Family	Marc Coppola (brother) Christopher Coppola (brother) Francis Ford Coppola (uncle) Eleanor Coppola (aunt)

Nicolas Cage (born Nicolas Kim Coppola; January 7, 1964) is an Academy Award–winning American actor, producer and director, having appeared in over 60 films including Raising Arizona (1987), The Rock (1996), Face/Off (1997), Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), Adaptation (2002), National Treasure (2004), Lord of War (2005), Ghost Rider (2007), Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009), Kick-Ass (2010), and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2012).

Early life[link]

Cage was born Nicolas Kim Coppola^[2] on January 7, 1964^[1][3][4][5] in Long Beach, California. His father, August Coppola, a professor of literature, and his mother, Joy Vogelsang, a dancer and choreographer, divorced in 1976. He was raised in a Catholic family.^[6][7] Cage's mother is of German descent and his father was of Italian descent. His paternal grandparents were composer Carmine Coppola and actress Italia Pennino, and his paternal great-grandparents were immigrants from Bernalda, Basilicata.^[8] Through his father, Cage is the nephew of director Francis Ford Coppola and actress Talia Shire, and the cousin of directors Roman Coppola and Sofia Coppola, film producer Gian-Carlo Coppola, and actors Robert Carmine and Jason Schwartzman. Cage's two brothers are New York radio personality Marc "The Cope" Coppola and director Christopher Coppola. He attended Beverly Hills High School, which is known for its many alumni who became entertainers. He aspired to act from an early age and also attended UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television. His first non-cinematic acting experience was in a school production of Golden Boy.

Career[link]

Acting career[link]

To avoid the appearance of nepotism as the nephew of Francis Ford Coppola, he changed his name early in his career to Nicolas Cage, inspired in part by the Marvel Comics superhero Luke Cage. Since his minor role in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High, with Sean Penn, Cage has appeared in a wide range of films, both mainstream and offbeat. He tried out for the role of Dallas Winston in his uncle's film The Outsiders, based on S.E. Hinton's novel, but lost to Matt Dillon. He was also in Coppola's films Rumble Fish and Peggy Sue Got Married.

Other Cage roles included appearances in the acclaimed 1987 romantic-comedy Moonstruck, also starring Cher; The Coen Brothers cult-classic comedy Raising Arizona; David Lynch's 1990 offbeat film Wild at Heart; a lead role in Martin Scorsese's 1999 New York City paramedic drama Bringing Out the Dead; and Ridley Scott's 2003 quirky drama Matchstick Men, in which he played an agoraphobic, mysophobic, obsessive-compulsive con artist with a tic disorder.

Cage has been nominated twice for an Academy Award, winning once for his performance as a suicidal alcoholic in Leaving Las Vegas. His other nomination was for his portrayal of real-life screenwriter Charlie Kaufman and Kaufman's fictional twin Donald in Adaptation. Despite these successes, most of his lower-profile films have performed poorly at the box office compared to his mainstream action/adventure roles. The suspense thriller 8mm (1999) was not a box office success, but is now considered a cult film. He took the lead role in the 2001 film Captain Corelli's Mandolin and learned to play the mandolin from scratch for the part. He made his directorial debut with 2002's Sonny. In 2005, two offbeat films he headlined, Lord of War and The Weather Man, failed to find a significant audience despite nationwide releases and good reviews for his acting in those roles. Poor reviews for The Wicker Man resulted in low box office sales. The much criticized Ghost Rider (2007), based on the Marvel Comics character, fared better, earning more than $45 million (the top earner) during its opening weekend and over $208 million worldwide through the weekend ending on March 25, 2007. Also in 2007, he starred in Next, which shared the concept of a glimpse into an alternate timeline with Cage's film, The Family Man (2000).

Most of Cage's movies that have achieved financial success were in the action/adventure genre. In his second-highest grossing film to date, National Treasure, he plays an eccentric historian who goes on a dangerous adventure to find treasure hidden by the Founding Fathers of the United States. Other action hits include The Rock, in which Cage plays a young FBI chemical weapons expert who infiltrates Alcatraz Island in hopes of neutralizing a terrorist threat, Face/Off, a John Woo film where he plays both a hero and a villain, and World Trade Center, director Oliver Stone's film regarding the September 11, 2001 attacks. He had a small but notable role as the Chinese criminal mastermind Dr. Fu Manchu in Rob Zombie's fake trailer Werewolf Women of the S.S. from the B-movie double feature Grindhouse.

Cage made his directorial debut with Sonny, a low-budget drama starring James Franco as a male prostitute whose mother (Brenda Blethyn) serves as his pimp. Cage had a small role in the film, which received poor reviews and a short run in a limited number of theatres. Cage's producing career includes Shadow of the Vampire, the first effort from Saturn Films.

In early December 2006, Cage announced at the Bahamas International Film Festival that he planned to curtail his future acting endeavors to pursue other interests. On The Dresden Files for the Sci-Fi Channel, Cage is listed as the executive producer.

In November 2007, Cage was spotted backstage at a Ring of Honor wrestling show in New York City researching his role for The Wrestler. The role was ultimately played by Mickey Rourke, who received an Academy Award nomination for his performance.^[9] Wrestler Director Darren Aronofsky, in an interview with slashfilm.com, said of Cage's decision to leave the film that: "Nic was a complete gentleman, and he understood that my heart was with Mickey and he stepped aside. I have so much respect for Nic Cage as an actor and I think it really could have worked with Nic but ... you know, Nic was incredibly supportive of Mickey and he is old friends with Mickey and really wanted to help with this opportunity, so he pulled himself out of the race.^[10]"

Cage at the 66th Venice Film Festival in September 2009

In 2008, Cage appeared as Joe, a contract killer who undergoes a change of heart while on a work outing in Bangkok, in the film Bangkok Dangerous. The film is shot by the Pang Brothers and has a distinct South-East Asian flavor. In 2009, Cage starred in science fiction thriller Knowing, directed by Alex Proyas. In the film, he plays an MIT professor who examines the contents of a time capsule unearthed at his son's elementary school. Startling predictions found inside the capsule that have already come true lead him to believe the world is going to end at the close of the week, and that he and his son are somehow involved in the destruction. The film received mainly negative reviews but was the box office winner on its opening weekend. Also in 2009, Cage starred in the film Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, directed by acclaimed German director Werner Herzog. He portrayed a corrupt police officer with gambling, drug and alcohol addictions. The film was very well received by critics, holding a rating of 87% positive reviews on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.^[11] Cage received lauds for his performance, with Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune writing "Herzog has found his ideal interpreter, a performer whose truth lies deep in the artifice of performance: ladies and gentlemen, Nicolas Cage, at his finest."^[12] This film reunited Cage with Eva Mendes, who played his love interest in Ghost Rider. In 2010, Cage starred in the period piece Season of the Witch, playing a 14th-century knight transporting a girl accused of causing the Black Plague to a monastery, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice, in which he played the sorcerer.^[13]

Other works[link]

Cage, an avid comic book fan, auctioned a collection of 400 vintage comics through Heritage Auctions for over $1.6 million in 2002.^[14]

In 2007 he created a comic book with his son Weston, called Voodoo Child, which was published by Virgin Comics.

Cage is a fan and collector of painter and underground comic artist Robert Williams. He has written introductions for Juxtapoz magazine and purchased the painting Death On The Boards.^[15]

Acting style[link]

In February 2011, Cage claimed to have created a new method of acting he calls "Nouveau Shamanic". He claims to have used the acting style throughout his career and one day plans to write a book about the method.^[16]

Praise and criticism[link]

Nicolas Cage's acting has been praised by influential film critic Roger Ebert who writes, in his "Great Movies" essay about the film Adaptation, that: "There are often lists of the great living male movie stars: De Niro, Nicholson and Pacino, usually. How often do you see the name of Nicolas Cage? He should always be up there. He's daring and fearless in his choice of roles, and unafraid to crawl out on a limb, saw it off and remain suspended in air. No one else can project inner trembling so effectively.... He always seems so earnest. However improbable his character, he never winks at the audience. He is committed to the character with every atom and plays him as if he were him."^[17] Roger Ebert, in response to mixed reviews of Knowing and their focus on criticizing Cage, wrote an article in which he defends both Cage as an actor and the movie to which, in stark contrast to other critics, Ebert gave 4/4 stars.^[18]

In the 68th Academy Awards, Cage was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Leaving Las Vegas.^[19]

In May 2001, Cage was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts by California State University, Fullerton. He spoke at the commencement ceremony.^[20]

Despite such praise, Cage has his detractors. Cage has been criticized for choosing to star in big-budget, action-adventure movies rather than smaller, character-driven dramas, the type of film that initially garnered him praise.^[21] In 1999, one-time friend Sean Penn expressed that sentiment to the New York Times, declaring Cage "no longer an actor."^[22]

Personal life[link]

Relationships and family[link]

In 1988, Cage began dating actress Christina Fulton, who later bore their son, Weston Coppola Cage (born December 26, 1990). Weston is lead singer of the black metal band Eyes of Noctum, and appeared in Cage's film Lord of War as Vladimir, a young Ukrainian mechanic who quickly disarms a Mil Mi-24 helicopter.

Cage has been married three times. His first wife was actress Patricia Arquette (married on April 8, 1995, divorce finalized on May 18, 2001).

Cage's second marriage was to singer/songwriter Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley. Cage is an Elvis fan and used the star as the base of his performance in Wild at Heart. Presley and Cage married on August 10, 2002 and filed for divorce on November 25, 2002 which was finalized on May 16, 2004. The divorce proceeding was longer than the marriage.^[23]

Cage met his third and current wife Alice Kim, a former waitress who previously worked at the Los Angeles restaurant Kabuki and at the Los Angeles-based Korean nightclub, Le Privé. She bore their son, Kal-El, (after Superman's birth name^[24]) on October 3, 2005. Cage was once considered for the role of Superman in a film to be directed by Tim Burton. Alice had a minor role in the 2007 film Next, which Cage produced. They were married at a private ranch in Northern California on July 30, 2004.^{[citation needed]}

Real estate and tax problems[link]

Nicolas Cage is one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors, earning $40 million in 2009 according to Forbes Magazine.^[25]

Cage had a Malibu home where he and Kim lived, but sold the property in 2005 for $10 million. In 2004 he bought a property on Paradise Island, Bahamas. In May 2006, he bought a 40-acre (160,000 m²) island in the Exuma archipelago, some 85 miles (137 km) southeast of Nassau and close to a similar island owned by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.

He once owned the medieval castle of Schloss Neidstein in the Oberpfalz region in Germany, which he bought in 2006 and sold in 2009 for $2.5 million. His grandmother was German, living in Cochem an der Mosel.^[26]

Schloss Neidstein in Bavaria was owned by Cage between 2007 and 2009.

In August 2007, Cage purchased "Grey Craig", a 24,000-square-foot (2,200 m²) brick-and-stone country manor in Middletown, Rhode Island. With an estate occupying 26 acres (110,000 m²) the home has 12 bedrooms and 10 full bathrooms and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean as well. It borders the Norman Bird Sanctuary to the west. The sale ranked among the state of Rhode Island's most expensive residential purchases until eclipsed that same year, 2007, by the $17.15 million sale of the Miramar mansion on Bellevue Avenue in Newport.

Also in 2007, the actor purchased Midford Castle in Somerset, England.^[27][28][29] Shortly after selling his German castle, Cage also put homes in Rhode Island, Louisiana, Nevada, and California, as well as a $7 million island in the Bahamas, up for sale.

On July 14, 2009, the Internal Revenue Service filed documents in New Orleans in connection with a federal tax lien against property owned by Cage in Louisiana, concerning unpaid federal taxes. The IRS alleges that Cage failed to pay over $6.2 million in federal income tax for the year 2007.^[30] In addition, the Internal Revenue Service has another lien for more than $350,000 in unpaid taxes dating from 2002 to 2004.^[31] Cage filed a $20 million lawsuit on October 16, 2009, against his business manager, Samuel J. Levin, alleging negligence and fraud.^[32] The lawsuit states that Levin "had failed to pay taxes when they were due and had placed [Cage] in speculative and risky real estate investments 'resulting in (the actor) suffering catastrophic losses'."^[32] Cage is also facing separate lawsuits from East West Bank^[33] and Red Curb Investments for unpaid, multimillion dollar loans.

The LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans was purchased anonymously by Cage in 2007 and sold in 2009.

Samuel Levin filed a counter-complaint and responded to the lawsuit in a filing stating that he warned Cage that he was living beyond his means and urged him to spend less. Levin's filing states that "instead of listening to Levin, cross-defendant Cage (Coppola) spent most of his free time shopping for high ticket purchases, and wound up with 15 personal residences", Levin's complaint continued: "Likewise, Levin advised Coppola against buying a Gulfstream jet, against buying and owning a flotilla of yachts, against buying and owning a squadron of Rolls Royces, against buying millions of dollars in jewelry and art."^[34]

In his filing Levin says that in 2007 Cage's "shopping spree entailed the purchase of three additional residences at a total cost of more than $33 million; the purchase of 22 automobiles (including 9 Rolls Royces); 12 purchases of expensive jewelry; and 47 purchases of artwork and exotic items."^[34] One of those exotic items was a dinosaur skull of a Tarbosaurus for which Nicolas Cage paid $276,000 in an auction after winning a bidding contest against Leonardo DiCaprio.^[35]

According to Cage, he owned the "Most Haunted House in America", a home located in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.^[36] The home is known as "The LaLaurie house" after its former owner Delphine LaLaurie. The house was foreclosed and sold at auction on November 12, 2009 along with another New Orleans property for a total of $5.5 million, in the wake of his financial problems.^[37]

His Bel Air home, which had six loans totaling $18 million on it, failed to sell at an April 2010 foreclosure auction despite an opening offer of $10.4 million, substantially less than the $35 million that Cage had originally tried to sell it for. The home, built in 1940 for $110,000 had been owned by Dean Martin and singer Tom Jones.^[38] The home eventually sold in November 2010 for $10.5 million.^[39] Another home in Nevada also faces foreclosure auction.^[37]

In November 2011, Cage also sold his Action Comics 1 in an online auction for a record-breaking $2.16 million dollars (the previous record being 1.5), to assist paying his tax liens and other debts. Cage purchased the comic in 1997 for $110,000.^[40]

Legal issues[link]

In December 2009, Christina Fulton sued Cage for $13 million and the house she is living in. The suit was in response to an order that she leave the dwelling that was brought about by Cage's financial difficulties.^[41]

On April 15, 2011, at 11:30 pm, Cage was arrested in New Orleans in the city's famed French Quarter district for suspicion of domestic abuse battery, disturbing the peace and public intoxication, after a police officer was flagged down by onlookers after Cage allegedly grabbed his wife's upper arm while appearing to be under the influence of alcohol.^[42] Cage was held in police custody until a bail of $11,000 was posted by Duane "Dog" Chapman.^[43][44] He was later ordered to appear in court on May 31, 2011.^[45] On May 5, 2011, it was announced that the charges against Cage had been dropped.^{[46][47][48][49]}

Filmography[link]