Country File U. S. A.: The System of Education

The US education system is quite similar to that in other countries. It consists of three main stages: primary education (kindergarten and elementary school), secondary education (middle school and high school), and further education (tertiary or higher education). It is  structured as a K-12 system, encompassing Kindergarten through 12th grade, which is then followed by higher education.

This system is largely decentralized, with states and local school districts primarily responsible for education policy. 

Compulsory education includes elementary school, middle school, and high school education. 

It is for children from the age of 5 to the age of 18.

Around age six, U.S. children begin primary school, which is most commonly called “elementary school”. They attend five or six years and then go onto secondary school. In elementary school, children acquire foundational skills like literacy, numeracy, and social studies.

Secondary school consists of two programs: the first is “middle school” or “junior high school” and the second program is “senior high school”. Students have additional subjects such as mathematics, science, history, etc.

Upon completion of 12th grade, students receive a High School Diploma, a requirement for college or vocational training. 

Post-secondary education includes vocational training, two-year associate's degrees, and four-year bachelor's degrees.

U.S. students may go on now to college or university. College or university study is known as “higher education.” Colleges and universities offer a wide array of programs and degrees.

Ex. 1: Watch the video and complete the cloze below with words from the video.

K-12 Education:

Elementary School: typically encompasses _______________(1) through 5th or 6th grade

Middle School (or Junior High): covers 6th through 8th ____________(2) in many areas, although the specific grades may vary

_____________ (3) School: generally spans grades 9-12, although some schools may begin at the 10th grade

Public Schools: around 85% of students attend public schools, which are _____________ (4) and funded by local and state taxes

______________ (5) Schools: a smaller percentage of students attend private schools, which charge tuition

Home-schooling: a growing number of families choose to home-school their children

Ex. 2: Learn more about some concepts central to the U. S. system of education in the following video.

• KEY: 1) kindergarten; 2) grades; 3) High; 4) free; 5) private

•