The US Education System

Pre-School Age 3-4

Kindergarten Age 4/5

Elementary/ Primary School Grades 1-5 Age 5-10

Middle School Grades 6-8 Age 11-13

High School Grades 9-12 Ages 14-18 (Freshman – Senior)

Compulsory

Public School vs. Private School

Private schools are paid for by individual families.Families pay tuition $$$$$Some are religious, requiring religious educationStudents often wear uniformsSchools are often smaller, with smaller class sizesMay be further away from a student’s homeOnly 10% of American students attend private

school

Public School vs. Private School

Public schools are not religious, and encouraging students to believe in one religion is against the law. The government pays for the schoolStudents do not wear uniformsSchools are often largerStudents go to a public school based on where

they live – whichever school is closest to their house

90% of American students attend public school

Elementary School Grades 1-5 8 – 15:00Math, science, ELA,

social studies, music, art, P.E., recess

School LunchStudents eat lunch at schoolStudents can bring lunch from home or purchase

food at school.Students pay for their lunch with a card that

their parents pay for.Meals are inexpensive, with government

assistance for those who need it

Middle SchoolGrades 6-8Move from classroom to

classroomSeven classes/day, 50

minutes eachCore classes: Math,

science, English, social studies, health, P.E., Texas history

Electives: Band, language, drama, art, computer science, choir

Extracurricular activities: sports, clubs, dance, language

High SchoolGrades 9-12: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior,

SeniorPreparation for university or other pathMore flexibility in choosing classes Advanced Placement, honors, and regular

classes

Grade Point Average (GPA) & Class Rank

• Ranked among your classmates based on GPA• First in the class =

Valedictorian• One of the most

important parts of getting into university

Extracurricular Activities Sports Music Student Government Debate Community Service Clubs

Red Cross, Key Club, etc. Academic Clubs

Mathletes, Decathalons, HOSA, Science Fair

Work and Internship Experience

School DancesSchool dances are common in the United StatesStudents often ask boys or girls to go to the dances

with them. They wear dresses and suits or tuxedos, take photos with a group of friends, go out to dinner all together, then go to the dance, which is at or nearby the school.

The students dance to music in a decorated room, eat snacks, chat with each other, and have a good time.

School dances are most popular in high school, but some middle schools have less serious school dances, too.

School DancesHomecoming refers to the football game, parade,

and dance that take place at the beginning of the school year.

Prom is the major dance at the end of the school year for juniors and seniors, and students vote for each other to be Prom Queen and King

After High School…