High School Hits

School isn’t easy on everyone. And if you go by American TV shows, it’s certainly not for the children there. With far-ranging problems that aren’t just limited to bad grades, kids in school have had the best (and sometimes, worst) time of their lives at high school. It could be the memories — on the field, in the halls, the locker rooms over even in class — that made all the difference. Here, we catalogue our favourite schools through the years, the teachers that made them good or great and the students who just might as well have been you. Here goes...

William McKinley High School

SHOW: Glee

WHY: It’s not easy being a student here. But if you study here, you’ll never be short of stories. It’s the only school where a cheerleading coach (Jane Lynch as the inimitable Sue Sylvester) makes it her personal mission in life to make Spanish teacher Will Schuester (played by Matthew Morrisson) and his glee club’s life a living hell. Why? Because she can. It does get on your nerves sometimes, but there’s a sense of victory each time the glee club make it against the odds. Despite the over-the-top production value of the staged songs at this Ohio school, it was the winning performances week after week, the star cameos, the drama, some very real issues and more that kept it going for several seasons.

SHOW: The Wonder Years

WHY: The school has the same fictitious name, but it isn’t the same. In any case, this was Kevin Arnold’s (Fred Savage) story. It was about his enduring friendship with Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar) and Paul Pfeiffer (Josh Saviano) all through high school. The popular show, which lasted from 1988 to 1993 had no dearth of memorable moments. Kevin was never a great athlete or a grade-A student, but that didn’t make him any less of a ladies’ man. And despite being the volatile times it was set in (the early 70s), it did feature an anti-authoritarian African-American teacher in Miss Shaw (played by Lanei Chapman). Top marks for that.

SHOW: Freaks & Geeks

WHY: For one, this short-lived show starred the likes of James Franco, Seth Rogen and Jason Segel as high school seniors. And if that isn’t enough comedic talent for you in one school, the self-proclaimed geeks also have some known names (Samm Levine, Martin Starr and John Francis Daley). This Judd Apatow show takes place in Chippewa, Michigan and is number 3 on TIME magazine’s list of Greatest Television Shows of the 2000s. About Lindsay Weir and her brother Sam navigating high school where she hangs out with Franco (as Daniel Desario) and gang, while her brother finds kindred spirits in the self-proclaimed geek gang. We’d like to see a revival soon, please!

Palos Hills High School

SHOW: Awkward

WHY: Let’s not run away from the truth. At some point of time in our lives, we were all Jenna Hamilton (Ashley Rickard). That one person we loved who we couldn’t tell anyone about, the best friend who became cooler than you, the most popular person in school making life hell for you, being a teacher’s pet, we’ve all been there. And how can you not love Desi Lydic as Val. As the slightly ditzy yet incredibly headstrong guidance counsellor Valerie, she was the ‘best friend’ teacher we all wanted in our lives. Admit it.

Tree Hill High School

SHOW: One Tree Hill

WHY: This school had legacy students. Star alumni with star-potential children. With no dearth of drama in their personal lives. This is the show that I believe was prompted by Karan Johar to go with basketball as the sport of choice (ok, I’m kidding, though it could be entirely possible!). This show had such a close-knit community, everyone knew everything about everyone. The friendships and enemities forged at school lasted all the major characters for a lifetime. And the show’s soundtrack! Who can forget that. If you haven’t watched this one yet, go do!

Rosewood High School

SHOW: Pretty Little Liars

WHY: There’s too much happening here. Like literally. These gals have more drama and twists in their lives to last one lifetime (read: several seasons) than three long-running Ekta Kapoor serials. Dealing with the possible murder of their friend, they find themselves being blackmailed into believing that their friend Alison is alive or torturing them from beyond the grave. Ezra is the sort of English teacher the show’s creators imagine school girls might swoon over (one actually does and has a relationship with, as well). It’s long run means they’re doing something right. We’ll bring the popcorn, let these girls just go on with whatever it is they’re doing on this show.

Bayside High School

SHOW: Saved By The Bell

WHY: Let’s see. Bayside might just as well be Riverdale. Zach might just as well be Archie while Screech might as well be Jughead. There was a lot of locker room conversation, running in the halls, very 80s stuff, you know. And did we mention Richard Belding might as well be Weatherbee? Minus the bald pate, of course.

Constance Billard School for Girls

SHOW: Gossip Girl

WHY: You need a reason? Ok, I’ll give you several. Blair Waldorf, Chuck Bass, Serena van der Woodsen, xoxo (you’ll know why once you watch it), all that fizz, all that fashion, all that scheming, all that drama. Plus, it’s set at a New York prep school. Did I mention chicks found this show extremely addictive. Well, now you know why...

Winslow High School

SHOW: Boston Public

WHY: This one focusses more on the school’s teachers and administrators and their day-to-day trials and tribulations and addresses their biases and misgivings in a school system where there’s one kind of everything. This is one school show, where there were more real moments than fun-and-games and laughs to be had.