The document summarizes the structure of the US education system from preschool through high school. It outlines the typical grade levels, ages, coursework, and extracurricular activities at each stage. It also compares public versus private school options and notes key aspects like school lunches, class schedules, grade point averages, dances, and pathways after graduation from high school.

1. The US Education
System

2.  Pre-School
 Age 3-4
 Kindergarten
 Age 4/5
 Elementary/ Primary School
 Grades 1-5
 Age 5-10
 Middle School
 Grades 6-8
 Age 11-13
 High School
 Grades 9-12
 Ages 14-18 (Freshman – Senior)
Compulsory

3. Public School vs. Private
School
 Private schools are paid for by individual families.
 Families pay tuition $$$$$
 Some are religious, requiring religious education
 Students often wear uniforms
 Schools are often smaller, with smaller class sizes
 May be further away from a student’s home
 Only 10% of American students attend private school

4. Public School vs. Private
School
 Public schools are not religious, and encouraging
students to believe in one religion is against the law.
 The government pays for the school
 Students do not wear uniforms
 Schools are often larger
 Students go to a public school based on where they live –
whichever school is closest to their house
 90% of American students attend public school

5. Elementary School
 Grades 1-5
 8 – 15:00
 Math, science, ELA,
social studies, music,
art, P.E., recess

6. School Lunch
 Students eat lunch at school
 Students can bring lunch from home or purchase food
at school.
 Students pay for their lunch with a card that their
parents pay for.
 Meals are inexpensive, with government assistance for
those who need it

7. Middle School
 Grades 6-8
 Move from classroom to
classroom
 Seven classes/day, 50
minutes each
 Core classes: Math, science,
English, social studies,
health, P.E., Texas history
 Electives: Band, language,
drama, art, computer science,
choir
 Extracurricular activities:
sports, clubs, dance,
language

8. High School
 Grades 9-12: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
 Preparation for university or other path
 More flexibility in choosing classes
 Advanced Placement, honors, and regular classes

9. Grade Point Average (GPA)
& Class Rank
• Ranked among your
classmates based
on GPA
• First in the class =
Valedictorian
• One of the most
important parts of
getting into
university

11. Extracurricular Activities
 Sports
 Music
 Student Government
 Debate
 Community Service Clubs
 Red Cross, Key Club, etc.
 Academic Clubs
 Mathletes, Decathalons,
HOSA, Science Fair
 Work and Internship
Experience

13. School Dances
 School dances are common in the United States
 Students often ask boys or girls to go to the dances with
them. They wear dresses and suits or tuxedos, take photos
with a group of friends, go out to dinner all together, then go
to the dance, which is at or nearby the school.
 The students dance to music in a decorated room, eat
snacks, chat with each other, and have a good time.
 School dances are most popular in high school, but some
middle schools have less serious school dances, too.

14. School Dances
 Homecoming refers to the football game, parade, and
dance that take place at the beginning of the school year.
 Prom is the major dance at the end of the school year for
juniors and seniors, and students vote for each other to
be Prom Queen and King

15. After High School…