education system

more >> preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school

The American education system requires that students complete 12 years of primary and secondary education, either in a public, private or home school setting. The age at which school attendance becomes compulsory varies from state to state, but most students begin Kindergarten at about age 5 or 6 and finish the 12th grade around age 18.

U.S. schools divide into three categories: elementary school, middle school or junior high, and high school. The exact grade breakdowns depend on the state, but elementary usually includes children from Kindergarten through 4th, 5th or 6th grades. Middle school or junior high can cover students anywhere from 5th to 8th grade and high school usually includes 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades where students call themselves freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. After completing the 12th grade, a student receives a high school diploma. Students who choose not to complete all 12 years of school can take an exam called the General Educational Development test, or GED, a series of five tests that can earn them a high school equivalency certificate.

Locally elected school boards have jurisdiction over school districts and run independently from other local government jurisdictions. The law requires tax-funded public schools to provide an education to everyone of school age within their district, at no cost. These schools receive federal, state and local funding largely based on standardized testing scores and local property taxes. Privately funded private schools charge tuition and can select who they accept into their program. Costs vary according to location, private funding and school expenses.

In order to advance to college-level schooling after high school, students must apply for acceptance at either a public or private university. These institutions base their admissions on a high school diploma (or GED) and many other criteria, including high school grades and GPA or grade point average, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities and other accomplishments. Higher education, as any schooling beyond the basic 12 years of school is called, always involves a cost. Public or state-funded schools cost less than private schools.

The academic school year in the U.S. generally runs from mid- to late August or early September through the end of May or mid- June, although variations and exceptions have been introduced in some school districts and specific institutions providing more frequent, shorter breaks that eliminate the longer summer break. State law requirements establish what number of days students must spend at school. Factoring in the holidays and seasonal breaks, most states average around 180 days of school per academic year.