It has become customary to explore various education systems worldwide on this blog. This helps us gain a better understanding of education in other countries and how it differs from our own educational system. This time, we will delve into the education system in the United States, a system frequently depicted in TV series and movies.
Do you think you know everything about this educational system? Read the post and tell us if it was as you expected it to be 😉
And if you want to know about the educational system in other countries, don’t miss our posts about Estonia, South Korea, Netherlands or Canada.
What is the education system in the United States like and what characteristics does it have?
Organization of the education system in the United States
In the United States, the educational system is organized in several stages, which we detail below:
- Early Childhood Education (Kindergarten)
Children can attend early childhood education centers up to the age of 5, although it is not mandatory. However, it is increasingly common and is progressively being implemented throughout the country.
- Primary education (Elementary school)
This stage spans from ages 6 to 10 or 11, depending on the state. During this period, there are some mandatory subjects (such as Mathematics, Literature and English Language, Social Studies, Physical Education, etc.), although there is no national standardized curriculum.
- Secondary education (Middle school and High school)
In the United States, secondary education is divided into two stages: Middle School and High School. Middle School typically covers ages 12 to 14, leading to High School, which spans from ages 14 to 18.
It is during the High School stage where students study elective subjects, focusing on a specific area of interest. This helps them prepare for what they may want to study in college.
In the following chart, you can see the correspondences with the Spanish and French education systems.
| School year in the United States | Ages | Equivalence in Spain | Equivalence in France |
| Kindergarten | 4-5 years | P4 | Middle section (Nursery school) |
| Kindergarten | 5-6 years | P5 | Large section (Nursery school) |
| Grade 1 (Elementary school) | 6-7 years | 1st grade | Preparatory course |
| Grade 2 (Elementary school) | 7-8 years | 2nd grade | Elementary course 1 |
| Grade 3 (Elementary school) | 8-9 years | 3rd grade | Elementary course 2 |
| Grade 4 (Elementary school) | 9-10 years | 4th grade | Medium course 1 |
| Grade 5 (Elementary school) | 10-11 years | 5th grade | Medium course 2 |
| Grade 6 (Middle school) | 11-12 years | 6th grade | Sixth (College) |
| Grade 7 (Middle school) | 12-13 years | 1st of ESO | Fifth (College) |
| Grade 8 (Middle school) | 13-14 years | 2nd of ESO | Fourth (College) |
| Grade 9 (High school – freshman year) | 14-15 years | 3rd of ESO | Trioseme (College) |
| Grade 10 (High school – sophomore year) | 15-16 years | 4th of ESO | Secondary school (High school) |
| Grade 11 (High school – junior year) | 16-17 years | 1st degree or medium degree | First (High School) |
| Grade 12 (High school – senior year) | 17-18 years | 2nd degree or medium degree | Terminale (High school) |
This is how your school year works and other features of your educational system
The school year is divided into two semesters, and although its beginning and end may vary depending on the State, generally the school year runs between August/September and May/June. School holidays take place in winter (coinciding with Christmas), in spring (with a week off) and in summer (which mark the change of course).
Regarding the grading system, letters (A-F) and percentages (0-100) are used, different systems than those we use in Spain. In the letter system, you must obtain a minimum of a C to pass, this being the correspondence:
A=Excellent
B=Notable
C=Good/Sufficient
D=Insufficient
F=Insufficient
Remember that if you want to qualify in this way with Additio App, you have this type of evaluation, so you can start using it now if you want! Plus, you can customize it however you want. And wherever you are, we adapt to you and the evaluation and grading system that you want to use for your classes.
The key to the United States education system: extracurricular activities and university
It’s not surprising that in the United States, there is a significant focus on university access. Throughout our lives, we’ve seen it depicted in American TV series and movies: students navigating their school years under immense pressure to gain admission to prestigious universities like Harvard, Princeton, or Stanford, among many others.
In the United States, access to higher education is considered crucial, which is why students are encouraged to give their best and work hard in their final years of high school to secure a spot at their dream university.
Furthermore, extracurricular activities (including clubs and sports) play a substantial role in the U.S. education system. They serve as a stepping stone to achieve the coveted university admission. Students engage in various extracurricular activities to stand out among their peers and obtain recommendation letters that will enable them to pursue their desired field of study at the university of their choice.
Would you live the American dream?
There are many Spanish students who would like to spend a year studying in the United States, because of everything they have seen in fiction. And you, would you live the American dream?
Tell us on social networks: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. We will wait for you!
Bye!
