The American educational system is comprised of the following levels of schooling:
- Early Childhood - ages 2-6
- Elementary school - 1st grade thru 5th grade - ages 6-11
- Middle school ("junior high school") - 6th-8th grades - ages 11-14
- High school - 9th-12th grades - ages 14-18
Early Childhood
Students in our Early Childhood classrooms (Nursery, Preschool, KG1, and KG2) are focused on acquiring the educational, social, and emotional skills that students need to succeed in school and life. Throughout this time, children grow and learn on a developmental continuum. At this level, students learn content and skills through daily experiences that are developmentally appropriate to meet the needs of all children, including English language learners.
Elementary school
The first year of elementary school is referred to as 1st grade. In American education the word "grade" has two meanings: (1) the score achieved on an exam or in a course, and (2) a year of education in elementary or secondary school. Elementary school most commonly consists of five years of education, referred to as 1st through 5th grades. At this level, classroom teachers help the student continue to develop socially and emotionally as well as leading them through content in Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies. Students get instruction from additional teachers in the areas of French, Arabic, English Grammar, Art, Technology, and Physical Education.
Secondary school
Upon completion of 5th grade (the last year of elementary school), students in the American education system advance to secondary school. Secondary school most commonly consists of a total of seven years, referred to as 6th through 12th grades. The 6th through 8th grades are commonly referred to as "middle school," and 9th through 12th grades are "high school." Upon completion of 12th grade, American students are awarded a certificate called the high school diploma. In the American education system, students traditionally obtain a high school diploma before they are admitted into college/university.
American education offers a program in which students study a wide range of subjects. Students do not "specialize" or choose a specific course of study in American high schools as they do in many European systems. The belief is that this type of comprehensive education will develop the student into an individual who has a broad understanding of the world and a varied set of skills that will benefit him/her throughout his/her life.
Pedagogy/Theory of the American Educational System
In the American education system, students are the first priority; they are partners in the educational experience. Student thinking is valued even when it is flawed, with their errors used as opportunities for educational growth. Teachers, while respected, are not viewed as fully informed experts who transmit their knowledge, but as professionals who facilitate and model cooperative learning.
American education emphasizes learning experiences in which children actively participate, learning by hands-on work and experimentation, solving problems that are real and important to them. The learning process utilizes interactive instruction methods such as discussions, debates, teamwork activities, and community service projects to elicit imaginative thinking, problem solving and decision making toward a goal of meaningful insight. Learning how to learn is key to the students' ultimate success in life, and the American education system places great importance on this principle. As students progress, they are given increasing autonomy in the direction of their work, while also discovering how to work cooperatively with others. The ultimate goal is not just to prepare students for the next examination, but to develop the individual and make him or her passionate about learning.
