In most school systems 1st – 5th Grade is “Elementary School” or “Primary School” or “Grammar School”. After 5th Grade (usually age 11 or 12 for most) children matriculate into “Middle School” or “Junior High School”. Middle Schools usually run 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. After completing Middle School, students matriculate into “High School”.

The High School grades are 9th (Freshmen), 10th (Sophomores), 11th (Juniors), and 12th (Seniors). Here in the states, one must remain in school until one has either graduated 12th Grade OR turned 18.

During High School, most kids take a College Preparatory Exam, such as the SAT or ACT. These tests give students a numeric score based on a variety of academic and cognitive skills. Combined with the GPA from high school, the SAT/ACT scores help determine which colleges students will get into.

There are three basic levels of “undergraduate colleges” in America. First, “Junior Colleges” these schools grant “Associates Degrees” They are two year degrees, often good for getting entry level occupational jobs. Second are Trade Schools, these schools teach one particular craft (computer repair, etc.). Last are the Universities. Most Universities in America are modeled on the Cambridge/Oxford system. They grant four-year Bachelor Degrees.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree, students may pursue a “graduate” degree either a Master’s (1-2 more years of study), a Ph.D. (2-3 more years), a Law Degree (3 years) etc. etc.

So to sum up, compulsory education from Grades 1 – 12. A fair amount of students go on to college and get Bachelor’s degrees.

Hope that helps!

Then elementary school is usually grades 1 thru 5 or 1 thru 6. Then middle school (sometimes called junior high) is 6 thru 8 or 7 thru 9. Grade 9 is considered a High School freshman. Then high school is 9 thru 12. People can quit school at 16 years old I think. Most go thru 12th grade and graduate with a high school diploma. Then on to college for a bachelors degree which is usually 4 years. Then 1 extra year for a Masters, and 2 yrs beyond that for PhD.

All the stuff above differs with each school, but it is basically the same.

Then a person can go get a job, or continue on to a university or tech-school (in tech-school you learn the specifics for just your future career). Those who go to universities can choose their degrees (to an extent) and then get a job. Many jobs require the worker to go back to college for certain classes, just to keep the worker on top of new methods and etc.

Middle School (6th-8th grade) or Junior High School (7th-8th)

High School-9th-12th.

Then off to collage.