The media's portrayal of high school experience that's been commonly depicted in movies, TV shows and even cartoons. Tropes & Stereotypes were always being portrayed with cliques such as jocks, cheerleaders, nerds, goths, and outcasts. Popularity and social status were a huge focus. There was always a Theme that was focused on bullying, fitting in, and first love. These are the dominant themes that were portrayed in the media, there were also some underlying deeper themes like teenage pregnancy, identity, and rebellion.
Lets not forget the focus on exaggerated high school experiences, where students had a lot of freedom, wild parties, and drama-filled lives. Then came a shift most of the times not really portrayed correctly but it was toward exploring identity, social justice, and inclusivity (LGBTQ+ characters becoming more prominent along with others too but I dare not mention because I don't want to mess it up and have people come after me).
Later on nerdy/underdog protagonists became more common, challenging the traditional "The Popular kids vs. The Outcast/Losers" narrative. However as time has changed Social media became a big part of high school life, and media reflected the impact of technology and mental health struggles along with bringing in new themes such as cyberbullying and what not.
Surprisingly through all that came some focus on mental health, anxiety, and personal struggles. Teen characters became more complex and flawed, making them relatable rather than just unrealistic and simple minded. High school in the media felt less like a fantasy and more like an actual outlook of real teenage struggles.