The U.S. school system is represented by different types of institutions, which independently set the periods of study. But a prerequisite for all institutions is the presence of a pre-school preparatory group.
Children begin to learn at age six and, depending on the policy and program of the particular institution, study for 6-8 years until the next stage, junior high school, where they study from 7th to 9th grade. The final stage, upper secondary school (grades 10-12), is mandatory for those who intend to enter higher education.
In small communities the secondary school adheres to the traditional scheme: an eight-year starter course plus four years of full secondary education. Recently there is a tendency to cut back on the elementary level in favor of a more rapid transition to a system of subject teaching.
In the USA different types of schools operate in parallel – public, private and church institutions (approximately 15% of students are educated there).
В In total there are more than 90,000 public and almost 30,000 private schools in the United States. They have 3 million teachers for at least 55 million students.
The private school system is a privileged fee-paying education that gives graduates a good start, opening doors to elite institutions of higher learning. There are about three thousand such schools in the United States.
Education in America is not compulsory, but almost all children from kindergartens and preparatory centers go on to schools, and 30% of high school graduates become university students. The school year, divided into quarters, is on average 180 days long. The working week is five days. Classes last from 9 a.m. to 3 to 4 p.m. From eighth grade students have a choice of subjects, but there are also compulsory subjects for all – mathematics, native language, natural sciences, social studies and a number of other disciplines.
Secondary schools can be academic, vocational and multidisciplinary. Institutions of the first type prepare students for higher education. Every child must take an IQ test to find out his or her level of intelligence (intelligence). If his or her IQ is below 90, the student is advised to change schools. Vocational schools focus students on gaining practical knowledge that can be used in practice. Multidisciplinary schools combine features of both types.