Differences in Levels

In the U.S., students go through three main levels of school before college or work.

There are 13 grades, including Kindergarten.
Some school districts also have preschool for children who are 3 and 4.
Students must go to school a certain number of days/hours per year.
Students must take certain courses to graduate. They can also take classes called electives. Electives are extra classes your child can choose to take. Electives are special subjects your child might enjoy, such as art, foreign language, music, technical courses, or typing.
School districts organize their grades in different ways. Most districts are organized by elementary, middle, and high school.

Children learn basic subjects like reading, math, and science. Most children take the same subjects.
By 4th and 5th grade, your child might start to change rooms and have different teachers for different subjects. Often, one teacher will teach math and science classes. Another teacher will teach reading, writing (language arts), and social studies.
Young children need more guidance and learn through play and activities.
All children receive music, art, and physical education.

All students take 4 core subjects: math, language arts, science, and social studies. They also have a choice in their electives. Electives are courses that students find interesting. This lets them explore other subjects. Music, art, tech ed, family and consumer sciences, and foreign languages are examples of elective courses.
Students change classes for different subjects. Schools usually have 6-8 periods a day, lasting around 40-50 minutes. Some schools have a block schedule that has only 4 periods lasting about 90 minutes.
They usually have different teachers for each subject.
Students become more independent, exploring personal interests and dealing with peer pressure.
Schools focus on preparing students for high school and helping them become independent. Some students begin to take high school classes in middle school.

High school students also take math, language arts, science, and social studies.
Each year they take a course and pass, they get a credit. (Example: Students take English all 4 years. That gives them 4 credits of English towards a diploma.)
The guidance department will help your child select the right courses to take to get a diploma. You also have to approve the courses.
They must earn credits to graduate. Students can start to get credits in middle school if they take advanced courses.
Some students take Advanced Placement courses in high school. If they pass the end-of-the-year test with a good grade, they earn college credit.
Students become more independent and responsible and have more freedom in activities.
Schools offer extracurricular activities like sports, music, and clubs.
At the end of 12th grade, students graduate and can go to college or start working.

Each level of school helps students learn, grow, and prepare for their future!

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