What Makes a High School 'Stressful'?

Lately I've been feeling the heat, so it's got me thinking - what are some of the most stressful high schools in the U.S. and what exactly makes them so? Is it more about academic workload, or do extracurriculars and college-prep pressures play a significant role as well?

The stress level at high schools can often depend on a variety of factors. Certainly, academic pressures, such as the rigor of coursework, the amount of homework, frequency of assessments, and the capability of students to manage these aspects, play a significant role in making a high school stressful. Schools that offer a high number of Advanced Placement (AP) courses or are centered around an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum are often seen as more academically rigorous, which can lead to heightened stress levels.

Yet, academic workload is just one piece of the puzzle. Extracurricular involvement can also contribute significantly to a student's stress. Many students participate in multiple activities outside of regular class time such as sports, clubs, or music programs. Students often feel pressure to excel in these areas or achieve a leadership position, in addition to maintaining high academic performance.

College preparatory pressures are another major factor. High schools that heavily emphasize college readiness and have a high percentage of students applying to competitive colleges can often be high-stress environments. This is especially true when considering the rigorous application process for top-tier colleges, including standardized testing, strong essays, interview preparation, and more.

The school environment itself, including its culture and expectations, can also contribute to stress levels. Some schools may foster highly competitive environments where students are constantly comparing themselves to their peers on metrics like grades or college acceptances.

Lastly, it's important to note that what feels stressful can be subjective and different for each student. Factors such as personal home life, emotional health, sleep, diet, exercise, and methods for stress management can also be significant determinants of how a student perceives the stress of high school. For instance, a student with robust emotional support and effective stress management techniques may feel less overall stress at a demanding high school compared to a student without these resources.