The American Education SystemAn Overview of the Educational System in the U.S.A.

• Over 85% of the adult population have completed high school

• Over 27% have received a bachelor’s degree or higher.

•In America…

• Every child gets free education at a public school

• Systems of curriculum, and grading are decided at a local level, not nationally.

• Public school buses are provided by government funding to help students get to school.

•Public SchoolsFunded by the US Government

• Boarding Schools:• Eat, sleep, and study at the school• Tuition-based, usually expensive• Scholarships available

• Private Schools:• Tuition-based, usually expensive• Can have academic specialties or be religious based• Can provide a higher level of education than a public school

• Home School:• Taught at home but still have to follow • mandated curriculum

•But there is also Private Education!

• Ages 0-4•Not mandatory• Tuition-based

•Pre-School

• Ages 5-6• First year of school that is mandatory for all children living in the US.

•Kindergarten

• Grades 1-5 • 1st year of primary school

is technically 2nd year of education but we call it 1st grade.• School schedules are set

for students.

•Elementary School/ Primary School

•Grades 6-8• Students start to pick elective classes.• Some schools have sports teams, bands, and theater.

•Junior High/ Middle School

• Grades 9-12• 9th: Freshmen• 10th: Sophomore• 11th: Junior• 12th: Senior

• Students have some choice in classes

• At large schools classes are separated according to the level of the students.

• Every 12th grade student must pass the “Exit Exam”, a standardized test to graduate.

•Secondary School/ High SchoolAcademic Structure

• Elective courses are offered and students can be selected/ voted in for the student government and yearbook.

• Most students participate in after school activities:

• Sports teams• Music (School Band)• Theater• Dance

•Secondary School/ High SchoolExtracurricular Activities

• Students wear cap and gowns

• The “valedictorian”, the highest-ranking academic student usually gives a speech.

• Diplomas are distributed

•Graduation!Traditions

• Students must take the SAT, or ACT which are standardized tests

• G.P.A. (grade point average) shows performance from school.

• Students usually apply in the Fall of their 12th grade and find out if they are accepted in March.

•Applying to Colleges (universities)University is the same thing as College in the US!

• Associates Degree• 2 years long • Can focus in a specific trade

but many used it as a stepping tool to get into a good university

• Bachelors Degree• 4 years long • Has a specialty

•Undergraduate EducationTypes of Degrees

• Masters Degree• 2- 3 years typically

• MBA (Masters of Business Administration)

• 3 years typically• Doctorate Degree

• 3-6 years

•Graduate SchoolTypes of Degrees

• Grants• From the school or government and

are need-based• Scholarships

• From the college, an organization, or an individual

• Usually given for excellence in a specific area

• Loans• Provided by the bank• Students have to pay it back

afterwards!

•Paying for University$$$$

•Students are prepared for to enter a

profession!

•And Afterwards…