In my high school days we were profiled into three basic categories: university prep, trade/technical/crafts, and simple HS Diploma. The three groups were roughly equal in numbers. Algebra only appeared in the first. I was fortunate to go to a large high school, and the first category was further broken down into arts/sciences. I don't know how this is done today, but am sure the size of the school is still an important factor.
Regarding courses that seem irrelevant at the time, I recall from my days of a 2nd year general requirement for EE's to take a Surveying Engineering course, plus a one-week "surveying camp" after exams. We were also required to take a course in contract law. My EE friends and I complained about "the camp", but to no avail. Twenty years later, as an engineering director for a major broadcasting corporation, I was faced with reviewing land surveys for mountain top transmit/tower expansion. Glad I knew surveying basics, and was thankful the university had exposed me to legalese. Moral of the story.....never shy from learning as much as you can, for you just never know what you will face in the future. God bless.
One thing I would tell any student today college or Voc/Tech. Be diverse enough in your education to where you can quickly adapt to another field. That saved my hide several times. The economic situation of the early 1980’s especially after a failed Worlds Fair followed by two major bank failures in my area in 1982 tanked the local economy. I ended up being a truck driver for about 8 months.