How to Understand School Models in Use in American Public Education

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Know that public school in the USA typically spans 12 years

   Children tend to begin in kindergarten and end school after the twelfth grade.
2. 2

   Step 2: not including Kindergarten

   Otherwise, the age to begin is set at five, although each state will have its own rules about when during the school year that fifth birthday must occur if the child is to be accepted for entrance to kindergarten. , No matter what grade a child has attained at this age, the child may leave school if so desired. ,, Some smaller communities still have K-12 schools, where all grades are contained within one school building.
   
   Others follow a K-5 Elementary School/6-12 Junior/Senior High School model.
   
   In very rare cases, you will find a Primary School, which covers grades K-3, with an Upper Elementary taking children in Grades 4-5.
3. 3

   Step 3: and that each year of school is referred to as a grade.

4. 4

   Step 4: Be aware that public school preschool programs are becoming more and more common

5. 5

   Step 5: such that some children will enter school at the age of three or four for preschool.

6. 6

   Step 6: Know that school attendance is compulsory only through the age of sixteen (in most states).

7. 7

   Step 7: Understand that most school systems follow this pattern: Elementary school Kindergarten First Grade Second Grade Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Middle school Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade High school Ninth Grade (Freshman Year) Tenth Grade (Sophomore Year) Eleventh Grade (Junior Year) Twelfth Grade (Senior Year)

8. 8

   Step 8: Know about the exceptions.

Detailed Guide

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