Education

The issue of Education in America is a huge one, as it is in any country. The purpose of this category is not to go into the politics of American education, or even to discuss whether American education is better or worse than Australian. Below you will find some factual points that may help you get a start on understanding the basics of the American school system.

• The grade system in American education is very different than Australia. For example:
  • Primary school (Grades 1 - 7) as we know it in Australia is called Elementary school in America. Elementary school encompasses Kindergarten through to Grade 6 children, depending on which state you live.
  • Americans also have a Middle school (also known as Junior High), which are Grades 7 to 8.
  • High school in Australia is Grades 8 - 12. American High school is nearly the same, being Grades 9 - 12. First year high schoolers are called Freshmen, second year high schoolers are called Sophomores, third years are called Juniors, and final years are Seniors.
  • Be aware that the above can be different from state-to-state.
• In general, Kindergarten in America is the equivalent of the Australian Pre-school, and vice versa.
• School begins much earlier in America than in Australia. Some as early as 7am! School finishes anywhere from 2.30 - 3.30 pm.
• Most schools in America have school cafeterias, and the prices of meals are generally very reasonable - from $1.60 to about $2.20.
• Gone are the days of kids walking to school by themselves in primary school. If you live to close to the school for the bus to pick up your child, then you have the option of your child joining the walking crew - an adult supervised group of students who walk to school every day. There are designated meeting points in each neighbourhood, and it's expected that an adult will take their child to meet with the walking crew, and then collect their child from that designated point in the afternoons. Even for middle and high-schoolers, there are crossing guards to see your child across every major street to and from school. Schools here seem to assume much more responsibility for getting your child to and from school safely.
• Most American schools do not have school uniforms.
• Many American schools do not have a "recess" time.
• School text books do not have to be purchased in America. They are available in the school library to be "borrowed".
• American schools are State and County funded, so the quality of schools can vary greatly. It's common practice to "shop" for ideal schools and even to move so that you live within the "school district" of your chosen school.
• Children in Middle and High schools have more "elective" choices than in Australia, however many of the electives are "stream" subjects in Australia, such as History and Geography.
• Most American undergraduate degrees are 4 years, compared to 3 years in Australia. One reason for this could be that for the first 1 - 2 years, American undergraduates continue their general studies, not beginning their majors until the second or third year - while in Australia, undergraduates begin working on their majors immediately.
• The Australian Graduate Diploma seems to be the equivalent of the American Masters Degree, although this is more of a general observation than an educational fact.

Reader Feedback on this Topic

• Kintergarden is the same in America as it is in NSW and ACT, Australia, in my experience. Some kintergardens do go 1/2 days, but is becoming more common for students to go a full day. Also, many American children still walk to school by themselves. My siblings walk to school by themselves. - Stephene

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