There are public, charter and private schools in the USA (plus home education). There are almost 50.8 million international students in public schools in America, 3 million in charter schools (this is 6% of all school students), 5.7 million students attend private schools. In most schools in the USA, compulsory education is divided into three levels:
- Elementary school ( for 5 years);
- Middle school (junior high school or middle school, 3 years);
- High school (4 years).
Education up to grade 8 (the last grade of secondary school) is considered mandatory. As a rule, these schools are divided and each step of the education are located in different buildings at different addresses. International children are usually divided by age groups into classes, starting with the “zero” (5-6 years old) and the first grade for the youngest children, up to the 12th grade (17-18 years old) - the last year of high school.
Basic information about elementary school in the USA
There are no state kindergartens in the USA: kids attend private kindergartens, stay at home with relatives or nannies. School education in the USA does not begin with the first, but with the zero grade, which is called kindergarten, but the usual kindergarten (and not the zero grade of the school) in America is called preschool. Accordingly, the child goes to "preschool" (from 3-4 years old), and then to kindergarten – from 5 years old.
Elementary school classrooms are divided into several study areas – students either sit at round tables of 5-6 people, or on a carpet near bookshelves, or at computers (usually there are several computers per class). The teacher gives the task, the children do it on their own, they can move around safely (this is even welcome). The teacher observes a certain daily routine without splitting into lessons, students have lunch during the big break, in autumn and spring a break is held outdoors.
List of basic academic subjects:
- Writing;
- Reading;
- The basics of mathematics;
- Knowledge about The World;
- Creative lessons;
- Music art;
- Sports lessons.
Middle School at the best educational institutions in US
In the classrooms of educational institutions in the USA, each subject has its own teacher, and students have a certain freedom of choice of disciplines.
List of mandatory subjects:
- Mathematics;
- English;
- Sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy);
- History;
- Physical education;
- Creative classes.
International students choose 1-2 subjects themselves: most often it is computer technology, cooking, a foreign language or art. That's why the concept of "classmates" is much more blurred here.
There is an opportunity to choose a more complex program for a specific subject: to do this, you need to get an excellent annual grade on it.
Structure of high school in the USA
High school assumes a lot of freedom in choosing subjects and the level of their study.
List of required educational blocks:
- 2 years of mathematics;
- 4 years of English;
- 2 years of natural sciences (with laboratory work);
- 3 years of social sciences;
- 1 year of physical education;
- 1 year art course.
Starting from the 9th grade, some subjects can be studied more deeply – Advanced Placement. Most often, students choose disciplines that they will study later. Advanced Placement includes 38 items. The most prestigious universities in the USA and in the world do not consider certificates with an average score below 4.25, and this score cannot be obtained without advanced AP courses.
High school includes 4 years of study, from grade 9 to grade 12: they have their own specialization, so careful preparation for admission begins from grade 9 (university, vocational courses, college). During the educational program, you can accumulate enough knowledge for admission and get loans (special educational), which will allow you to save significantly. High school involves compulsory study of English, mathematics, social subjects, natural sciences.
The senior classes offer four areas of specialized education:
- Industrial;
- Agricultural;
- Commercial;
- General;
- Academic.
Study in the USA: list of important things
It is necessary to apply to elite and popular schools and universities abroad in advance in order to be in time for the beginning of the academic year or course — experts recommend taking care of this in 6 months or even a year at least.
To pass the competitive selection, it is necessary to prove high academic and linguistic knowledge indicators — diplomas, certificates and certificates with the results of language exams are the confirmation. To increase the chances of admission, the average score of certificates should be high enough (if the child has not yet received a diploma of secondary education, then it is necessary to provide a report card with grades for the last few years).
It is important to know in advance which exams you will need to pass for admission in order to have time to prepare and get a high score. For example, the results of TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) are often accepted for admission to high school.
Tuition fee in the USA is not cheap, according to average world price, but the education costs will be 100% justified: graduates of educational institutions work in prestigious international companies and receive valuable positions. In addition, almost every international student has the opportunity to study in the USA for free — to do this, you need to apply for a scholarship or grant that can cover the costs of studying in full or partly.
Foreign students cannot continue their studies at the University of America immediately after graduating from the local school — for admission, students take international preparatory courses or enter US schools and earn educational credits. Types of pre-university programs:
- University Pathway;
- Transfer Program;
- International Foundation.