The individual states have great control over what is taught in their schools and over the requirements that a student must meet, and they are also responsible for the funding of schooling through taxes. Therefore, there is wide variation regarding courses, subjects, and other activities which depends on where the school is located. The commonalties include; the division of the education system into three levels: elementary/primary education, secondary education, and postsecondary/higher education (college or university).
Formal schooling lasts 12 years, until around age 18. Compulsory schooling, though, ends by age 16 in most states; the remaining states require students to attend school until they are 17 or 18. All children in the United States have access to free public schools. Private schools (religious and non-sectarian) are available, but students must pay tuition to attend them. Approved home school programs are also an option.
The first levels of the U.S. education system are organized as follows:
Structure
U.S. educators frequently use the terms K-12 education, and sometimes PK-12 education, to refer to all primary and secondary education from pre-school prior to the first year or grade through high school graduation. One of the following three models is used in any given school district:
- Elementary school (K-5), middle school (6-8), high school (9-12);
- Elementary school (K-6), junior high school (7-9), senior high school (9-12); or
- Elementary school (K-8), high school (9-12).
Ø The majority of U.S. children begin their education prior to entering regular school. Parents who send their children to pre-schools/nursery schools (age 2-4) and kindergartens (age 5-6) have to finance these institutions privately. Children learn the alphabet, colors, and other elementary basics. Government subsidies are available depending on income levels.
Ø U.S. children enter formal schooling around age 6. The first model is the most common one. Elementary students are typically in one classroom with the same teacher most of the day.
Ø After elementary school, students proceed to middle school, where they usually move from class to class each period, with a new teacher and a new mixture of students in every class. Students can select from a wide range of academic classes and elective classes.
Ø In high school, students in their first year are called freshman, in their second year sophomore, in their third year junior, and in their last and fourth year senior.
There is an even greater variety of subjects than before. Students must earn a certain number of credits (which they get for a successfully completed course) in order to graduate and be awarded with a High School Diploma – there is no final examination like in many other countries.
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