Concetti Chiave
- In the USA, school is mandatory until age 18, with most students attending public schools and a minority opting for private institutions.
- The American school system is based on a grade structure, starting with Elementary School at age 6 and progressing to Junior High and then High School.
- A typical High School day runs from 9 or 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 or 3 p.m., with no uniform requirement and various extracurricular activities available.
- High School graduation involves a special ceremony and a prom, with students receiving a certificate crucial for future opportunities.
- Higher education in the U.S. often includes a Bachelor's degree program lasting about four years, with many students attending prestigious private universities.
The American School System
In the USA school is compulsory until 18 years. Most part of pupils goes to the public school and about 17% is educated in private schools. The school system varies from state to state, but the main one is the grades system: it consists of twelve grades which students have to attend. Children begin Elementary School at about 6 and they finish it at 12, and next they have to go to Junior High School (or Intermediate School), which finishes at 14. Next students begin High School, where they have to study a lot of subjects, including foreign languages, economics and business studies.
The School Day and Activities
In most states High School lasts nine months: students start school at 9 or 9.30 a.m. and they finish at 2.30 or 3 p.m. They don’t have to wear an uniform and they can do many after-school activities, like clubs, music, drama or sports.
At the end of High School students receive a High School graduation certificate, which is the key to a reasonable job, a place at university or vocational training. The day of graduation is very special: there’s a ceremony in the school when certificates are presented to each student, and in the evening there is a dance, called the senior prom. At the end of twelfth grade, the class prepares a High School year book, which contains a photo and description of every member of the class.
Higher Education in the United States
After High School, many students go to universities, where they take around four years to take a Bachelor’s degree. In the USA many of them are private (such as the “Ivy League” of Harvard, Princeton, Yale etc.), so students must pay a lot of money to subscribe. Nonetheless, America has the highest level of university enrolments in the world.
Domande da interrogazione
- What is the structure of the American school system in terms of grade levels and transitions?
- What are some key features of the High School experience in the USA?
- How does higher education in the USA compare in terms of enrolment and costs?
The American school system consists of twelve grades. Children start Elementary School at about age 6 and finish at 12, then move to Junior High School until age 14, and finally attend High School where they study various subjects.
High School in the USA typically lasts nine months per year, with students attending from 9 or 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 or 3 p.m. Students do not wear uniforms and can participate in various after-school activities. Graduation involves a special ceremony and a senior prom.
The USA has the highest level of university enrolments globally. Many universities, including prestigious ones like the Ivy League, are private and require significant tuition fees. Students typically spend around four years to earn a Bachelor’s degree.