Stages of the explorationStages of the exploration::

General information on the program of the cultural exchange FLEXGeneral information on the program of the cultural exchange FLEX General information on American high schoolsGeneral information on American high schools Features of high school education (10-12 grade)Features of high school education (10-12 grade) Features of national structure of the school (multiculturalism)Features of national structure of the school (multiculturalism) Students’ knowledge estimation systemStudents’ knowledge estimation system After school activities in the USAAfter school activities in the USA ConclusionConclusion

General information on the FLEX General information on the FLEX programprogram::

FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) cultural exchange program FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) cultural exchange program was first started back in 1992 at the support of the US was first started back in 1992 at the support of the US government. government.

The program is designed for children from the former Soviet The program is designed for children from the former Soviet Union countries.Union countries.

Each student, selected by the special board, has an opportunity Each student, selected by the special board, has an opportunity to study in the US for a period of one school year, while staying to study in the US for a period of one school year, while staying with an American host family.with an American host family.

Program allows student to get a better understanding of the Program allows student to get a better understanding of the American culture and to share the traditions and the history of American culture and to share the traditions and the history of his country.his country.

FLEX – is an opportunity to find friends abroad, to expand an FLEX – is an opportunity to find friends abroad, to expand an outlook, to establish important contacts. outlook, to establish important contacts.

FLEX program had a great impact on my life. FLEX program had a great impact on my life. After a year that I had spent in the USA, staying After a year that I had spent in the USA, staying with an American family, I learned a lot about with an American family, I learned a lot about this country. I can share my thought and ideas this country. I can share my thought and ideas on different issues. In this work I’d like to include on different issues. In this work I’d like to include my personal experience and views on the my personal experience and views on the education system in the US. education system in the US.

General information on the US General information on the US schools:schools:

US school system consists US school system consists of four levels:of four levels:– Kindergarten (as a part Kindergarten (as a part

of a school system) of a school system) – Elementary school Elementary school

(grades 1-4)(grades 1-4)– Middle school (grades Middle school (grades

6-8)6-8)– High school (grades 9-High school (grades 9-

12)12)

The structure The structure of the US of the US education education

systemsystem

Features of high school education Features of high school education (grades 10-12):(grades 10-12):

High school is the most important time for American students.High school is the most important time for American students. It is high school, where the personality of the student is completely It is high school, where the personality of the student is completely

formed.formed. Each teenager has a right to chose those subjects, that will be Each teenager has a right to chose those subjects, that will be

necessary for entering the college or any other institution of higher necessary for entering the college or any other institution of higher education.education.

High school gives a certain minimum level of knowledge on basic High school gives a certain minimum level of knowledge on basic subjects, such as mathematics, literature, science, foreign subjects, such as mathematics, literature, science, foreign language and history. This minimum is required for each student. language and history. This minimum is required for each student.

There is also a number of subjects, that students may chose There is also a number of subjects, that students may chose according to their needs and preferences.according to their needs and preferences.

School day consists of certain classes, which are the same all year School day consists of certain classes, which are the same all year long, as well as the after school activities. long, as well as the after school activities.

Sample Student Schedule:Sample Student Schedule:

Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12English 10Social Studies 10Math 10Science 10Foreign LanguageIntro To Engineering DesignPhysical Education

1 unit1 unit1 unit1 unit1 unit1 unit

.5 unit 

English 11Social Studies 11Math 11Science 11Digital Electronics*Computer IntegratedManufacturing*Civil Engineering and Architecture*Biotechnical Engineering*Aerospace Engineering Physical Education

1 unit1 unit1 unit1 unit

1 unit

1 unit

.5 unit

English 12Social Studies 12Math 12Science 12Engineering Designand DevelopmentHealthPhysical Education

1 unit1 unit1 unit1 unit

1 unit

.5 unit

.5 unit 

*These are the specialty courses in schools offering them.

Features of national structure of Features of national structure of the school (multiculturalism)the school (multiculturalism)

American school is American school is multinational. Here you multinational. Here you can find students of can find students of various national various national backgrounds: native backgrounds: native Americans, African-Americans, African-Americans, Spanish, Americans, Spanish, Indians, Koreans and Indians, Koreans and Gypsies, people who Gypsies, people who come from Ireland and come from Ireland and Scotland.Scotland.

Students’ knowledge estimation Students’ knowledge estimation systemsystem

Students’ knowledge is estimated as a Students’ knowledge is estimated as a percentage, and grades are divided into five percentage, and grades are divided into five groups, each marked with a letter: groups, each marked with a letter: «А» - 100 - 90% («А» - 100 - 90% (gradegrade «5») «5»)«В» - 90 – 80% («В» - 90 – 80% (gradegrade«4»)«4»)«С» - 80 – 70% («С» - 80 – 70% (gradegrade «3») «3»)««DD» - 70 – 60% (» - 70 – 60% (gradegrade «3») «3»)««FF» - 60 – 0% (» - 60 – 0% (failedfailed))

After school activities in the USAfter school activities in the US

It is of the great It is of the great importance to note that importance to note that American schools have American schools have various clubs, where various clubs, where students can show their students can show their individuality. These are individuality. These are tennis clubs, basketball tennis clubs, basketball and football teams, and football teams, French club, Spanish French club, Spanish club, Student Council club, Student Council and etc. and etc.

After school activities in the USAfter school activities in the US

Talking about sports as an after school activity I would like to tell Talking about sports as an after school activity I would like to tell more about those hours that students spend training. In the US I more about those hours that students spend training. In the US I played tennis, so I would like to give a tennis training schedule:played tennis, so I would like to give a tennis training schedule:

Tennis

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Starts at

4.00 p.m. 4.00 p.m. 4.00 p.m. 4.00 p.m. 4.00 p.m. 6.00 p.m.

Ends at 6.00 p.m. 6.30 p.m. 7.00 p.m. 6.30 p.m. 6.00 p.m. 8.00 p.m.

Confirmation of the hypothesisConfirmation of the hypothesis

Without any doubt I can say that during the Without any doubt I can say that during the year in the American high school I’ve gained a great year in the American high school I’ve gained a great knowledge in different areas. I had an opportunity to knowledge in different areas. I had an opportunity to receive grants, to participate in different contests receive grants, to participate in different contests with Americans. And I think, that the image of the US with Americans. And I think, that the image of the US education meets the knowledge provided, those education meets the knowledge provided, those rewards and opportunities and grants that US rewards and opportunities and grants that US government provides to all of the successful government provides to all of the successful students for their future free college education.students for their future free college education.

Academic Grants, Awards and Academic Grants, Awards and Certificates. Certificates.

Just to give you a better understanding of the Just to give you a better understanding of the American School Awards I wanted to list here some of American School Awards I wanted to list here some of the awards that I got during the year at the US:the awards that I got during the year at the US:

Academic Achievement. Straight A Award. Presented by Academic Achievement. Straight A Award. Presented by Hobbs High School.Hobbs High School.

M.V.P Award. (Most Valuable Participant Award) M.V.P Award. (Most Valuable Participant Award) Presented by the New Mexico, District V FFA.Presented by the New Mexico, District V FFA.

New Mexico Activities Association. The certificate that New Mexico Activities Association. The certificate that recognizes the participation in the FFA Career recognizes the participation in the FFA Career Development Event.Development Event.

Outstanding FFA Quiz Award. Presented by Hobbs FFA.Outstanding FFA Quiz Award. Presented by Hobbs FFA. Outstanding FFA Creed Award. Presented by Hobbs FFA.Outstanding FFA Creed Award. Presented by Hobbs FFA. Outstanding Poultry Judging Award. Presented by Hobbs Outstanding Poultry Judging Award. Presented by Hobbs

FFA.FFA.

Academic Grants, Awards and Academic Grants, Awards and Certificates. Certificates.

ConclusionConclusion

The school education system in the USA The school education system in the USA assists reaching a decent level of assists reaching a decent level of knowledge and intellect, leads to a better knowledge and intellect, leads to a better understanding of studying as a process of understanding of studying as a process of accumulating different knowledge and accumulating different knowledge and skills. skills.