[Mouton]

Good points. Yes I took Latin, it is one of the building blocks of our language before we began being a ESL centered country. We did not have calculators, we had slide rules. (watching the reruns of Apollo 13 recently I noted the engineers using them to calculate the return trajectory and laughed). American History, actually back to the pre formation of the country not beginning in 1865, western civilization (oh would that be racist today). Real Economics.
Albeit it was in the early 60s, my school and perhaps state required 2 years of language, 3 years of math (2 years of algebra and geometry) and four years of english/literature/ 4 years of history and two years of science (biology, chemistry, physics or general science) and 3 elective units from Geography/mechanical drawing/typing and/or more from the prior listed areas like another language, Trig or calculus) to graduate. Perhaps that is why historically 90% went on to college. This was a PUBLIC school. One of my history teachers even invited his relative George Kennon to address his students in the classroom. Kennon had been instrumental in US foreign policy after WWII. Frankly to a 15yo politically naive boy, that was quite impressive.

[goodnesswins]

Yes...we were CHALLENGED when we were in school. (We must be near same age). ..I took Latin and French, Chemistry as well as algebra, history, etc. Also, you did not go off campus during the day.