U.S. Education System (Before College)

In the United States, when a child turns five, they usually start kindergarten, the first year of formal schooling. It’s a mix of learning letters, numbers, and how to work together with classmates.

From age six to around eleven or twelve, children go through elementary school, which includes grades 1 through 5 (sometimes up to grade 6). They learn basic subjects like reading, math, science, and social studies.

Next comes middle school (or junior high, depending on the state). This stage usually includes grades 6 to 8 and is for students around 11 to 14 years old.

At about age 14, students enter high school, which lasts four years—from 9th to 12th grade. Each year has a name: 9th grade is freshman year, then sophomore, junior, and finally senior year in 12th grade.

High school students must earn enough credits in different subjects to graduate and receive their high school diploma.

If the students want to go to college or university, they usually take a test like the SAT or ACT, and start applying to schools in 12th grade. Colleges review the applications and send letters of acceptance or rejection.

※この文章は英語学習用です。This article is for English learning purposes.