What are the U.S. education levels?

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In the United States, public school usually starts between age 4 and 6 and continues until around age 17 to 18. You can also send your children to pre-school at an earlier age. Learn about the different U.S. education levels, class placement, and grade level placement for students new to the USA.

In the United States, the law requires all children to go to school. Elementary, middle, and high school are all free if your child attends public school. The ages of the students for each grade can vary from state to state.

The U.S. education levels

In the USA, there are 12 grade levels after the first year of kindergarten. The four levels of education are:

  • Preschool (early childhood education)
  • Elementary school
  • Middle school
  • High school

Early childhood education

Early childhood education can mean different things. It refers to learning that happens before kindergarten. It is not required by law.

Early childhood education includes daycare and preschool. Ages can vary based on the place you choose to take your child. Daycare can start a few months after a child is born. Preschool can start as early as age 2.

You usually have to pay for daycare and preschool. There are free preschool options for low-income families through the Head Start program.

Children in preschool learn how to be with other kids and get ready for kindergarten.

Elementary school

Children begin elementary school with kindergarten (grade K) around age 5. The next year is grade 1 and it goes up each year to grade 5. They finish elementary school around age 10.

Children in elementary school usually learn different subjects from one teacher in a single classroom. They learn to develop writing and math skills, reading, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

Middle school (also called junior high school)

Students attending middle school are around age 11 to 13. It starts with grade 6 and ends with grade 8. Middle school students usually switch from classroom to classroom. They may have different teachers in one school day.

In middle school, students learn:

  • English (grammar, spelling, reading comprehension, and sentence structure)
  • Mathematics (fractions, decimals, percents, solving equations)
  • Sciences (earth science, basic biology, basic chemistry concepts)
  • Social studies (civics, government, and basic economics)

In some communities, children will not switch schools to go to middle school. They will keep going to the same elementary school.

High school

Students attending high school are around age 14 to 18. It starts with grade 9 and ends with grade 12. The classes are arranged by subjects. A student usually has different teachers throughout the day.

In high school, students learn:

  • English (classic literature, essay writing, and critical analysis)
  • Mathematics (algebra, geometry, calculus)
  • Science (biology, chemistry, physics)
  • Social studies (US history, world history, and civics)

Some students can take advanced classes and prepare for work or college. High schools also have clubs, sports, work-study arrangements, and other activities.

There are names for students in each grade:

  • 9th grade: freshman
  • 10th grade: sophomore
  • 11th grade: junior  
  • 12th grade: senior

Secondary School

A secondary school is an alternative option to a high school. It covers grades 9th to 12th. It offers technical and vocational training, such as carpentry and automotive technology.

Post-high school education

After getting a high school diploma, students can go to college. Students need to find a college or university and learn the requirements. You will have to apply and pay tuition.

Class placement

Students can be split up by their learning level in different classes. This is more common in middle school and high school when students attend classes by subject with different teachers. Some levels of classes are harder and some are easier.

Class placement can be decided based on:

How well the student understands English or their test scores

Parent/guardian recommendations

Standardized test scores

Willingness to complete challenging assignments

Student interest or motivation

Teacher or counselor recommendation

Samples of student work

The names of the classes sometimes describe the level of difficulty. The names can be different depending on the school.

  • Classes that are easier or use easier English levels can be called:
  •     Inclusion
  •     Basic skills
  • Classes at a typical level for the grade can be called:
  •     Regular
  •     Non-honors
  • Classes at a higher or advanced level can be called:
  •     GTE (Gifted and talented education)
  •     Advanced Placement (AP)
  •     IB (International Baccalaureate)

Grade level placement for students new to the USA

Grade level placement means deciding which grade a student will start in when they move to the USA.

Students may take some tests before the start of the school year or at the very beginning of the school year. The tests might be written or with an adult reading the questions to the student. It can be different depending on the school.

Many refugee students may have missed school while they were in camp or fleeing their country. They may be at different grade levels than a typical American student of the same age. Some students might be at a high-grade level but do not speak English yet. Those students may have trouble in harder classes until they learn English better.

If you think your child is in the wrong grade, you can talk to the teacher, principal, or the school staff who tested and placed your child.

  • Ask, “What was your reasoning?” The school can help you understand their decision.
  • Explain why you think the placement is wrong. They may be able to change the placement if they agree with your reasons.

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