* Economic Barriers: High schools often charged tuition fees, excluding many working-class families who needed their children's labor to contribute to household income. Even if tuition was low or nonexistent, there were often associated costs like books, supplies, and clothing that could be prohibitive.
* Social Barriers: High schools were often seen as institutions for preparing the elite for college and professional careers. Working-class families might have prioritized vocational training or immediate employment over a high school education seen as unnecessary or impractical. Prejudices and biases also played a significant role, limiting opportunities for certain racial and ethnic groups.
* Geographic Barriers: High schools were not equally distributed geographically. Rural areas and poorer neighborhoods often lacked access to high schools, forcing students to travel long distances or attend substandard schools.
* Curriculum: The curriculum itself often reflected the needs and interests of the dominant social class, making it less relevant or appealing to working-class students who might have benefited from more vocational or practical training.
While some efforts were made to expand access to high school during this period, significant inequalities persisted until well into the mid-20th century. The growth of public high schools and the introduction of compulsory education laws gradually broadened access, but socioeconomic disparities continued to affect educational attainment.