An Introduction to U.S. School Systems

Teaching in the United States often is an adjustment for VIF teachers. To be successful, teachers must have patience and persistence. They must adapt and adjust to an entirely new education system. It likely will be the most challenging — and rewarding — experience of their careers.

The information below will help you learn about schools in the United States.

The role and character of U.S. schools

The United States makes a public education available to all children. Schools play a central role in the community, with school-sponsored clubs, teams and events often occupying parents', students' and teachers' time well after classroom hours. U.S. schools are diverse, with students from many different socio-economic levels, races, ethnic groups and religions.

School organization

There are three basic types of schools in the United States: elementary, middle and high. Elementary schools educate students in kindergarten through fifth grade (ages 5 through 11). Middle schools educate students in sixth through eighth grades (ages 12 through 14). High schools educate students in ninth through twelfth grades (ages 15 through 18).

School day / school year

The school day differs, depending on the school system. Many schools, however, run from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Teachers usually arrive at school about 30 minutes before school begins and often leave 30 minutes to an hour after school ends. Teachers frequently stay after school for parent-teacher conferences, faculty meetings or extracurricular activities.

In most elementary schools, teachers teach the same group of students for the entire day. In middle and high schools, students change classes a number of times per day.

Teachers usually teach about five and a half hours a day. They have a planning period and are assigned a lunch period.

Most schools begin in August and end the following June.

Class size

Class sizes vary according to subject, school, school district and grade level. Elementary school teachers usually have about 20 students. Middle and high school teachers usually have between 25 and 30 students.

School oversight

Responsibility for overseeing public education lies with each state. Therefore, generally school rules and practices differ by state. Each state's public education system is divided into administrative units called school districts. These districts can encompass a city or a county. Each school district has a board of education that establishes policies. Funding for schools comes mostly from state and local resources.

A principal leads each school. Principals are responsible for instructional leadership, hiring teachers, creating and maintaining budgets and maintaining school facilities. Principals and teachers administer state tests to measure student learning, and they are held accountable for how well students do on these tests.

Classroom management

Instructional planning, discipline and student management are crucial for teacher success. All schools have school-wide rules for students.

Teachers can ensure a well-managed class by understanding the needs of their students, practicing good organizational skills, giving appropriate assignments and communicating with parents regularly.

Principals, assistant principals and guidance counselors are available to assist with problems in classroom management.

Parents

In the United States, many parents are very involved in their children's education. Teachers must communicate regularly and effectively with parents to maintain good relationships and promote student success. Several times a year, teachers meet with parents in face-to-face conferences to discuss student learning and progress.

Primary school

American children start school at the age of five years. The first year at school is called kindergarten. It is required of all American children enrolled in the American education system. The second year at school is considered the first year of primary school and is referred to as first grade. In America, the word grade has two meanings: (1) the score achieved on an exam or in a course, and (2) a year of education in primary or secondary school. Primary school most commonly consists of five years of education, referred to as first through fifth grades.

Secondary school

Upon completion of fifth grade (the last year of primary school), American children enrolled in the American education system advance to secondary school. Secondary school most commonly consists of a total of seven years, referred to as sixth through twelfth grades. The ninth through twelfth grades are most commonly referred to as high school. Upon completion of twelfth grade, American students are awarded a certificate called the high school diploma. In the American education system, students must have obtained a high school diploma before they are admitted into college or university. Foreign students who would like to attend an American college or university must have completed coursework that is equivalent to what is taught at an American high school. Foreign students who would like to attend an American high school, need to consider how the high school they select will give them access to the best colleges.

Undergraduate school

Students who have completed high school and would like to attend college or university must attend what is referred to as an undergraduate school. These are schools that offer either a two-year degree (called an associate degree) or a four-year degree (called a bachelor’s) in a specific course of study. That course of study is called the major. While most schools that offer a four-year degree will admit students who have not yet chosen a major, all students are required to select (or declare) a major by their second year at school. Students who complete an associate degree can continue their education at a four-year school and eventually complete a bachelor’s degree.

Graduate school

Students who have obtained a bachelor’s degree can continue their education by pursuing one of two types of degrees. The first is a master’s degree. This is usually a two-year degree that is highly specialized in a specific field. Students are sometimes admitted to a master’s degree program only if they have a bachelor’s degree in a closely related field. However, there are many exceptions to this, such as with students who want to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree. Students who want to advance their education even further in a specific field can pursue a doctorate degree, also called a PHD. A PhD degree can take between three and six years to complete, depending on the course of study chosen, the ability of the student, and the thesis that the student has selected. The thesis is a very intensive research paper that must be completed prior to earning the degree. It is always required of students pursuing a PhD, and may sometimes be required of students pursuing a master’s degree (depending on the school).

Certain courses of study are only available at the graduate school level in America. The most notable of these are law, dentistry, and medicine. Students who want to pursue a degree in one of these fields must first obtain a bachelor’s degree.

Expenses

Higher education in the United States can be very expensive. It may cost up to $20,000 or $30,000 per year to pursue a degree in the US. Therefore, it is extremely important to have a very realistic picture of how much the entire education will cost, and also of how much the student and his family can afford to pay. Financial planning must begin early; students must have proof of their ability to finance their education before they will be granted a visa to come to the US. Unfortunately, there are many foreign students who eventually have to return to their home country before completing their degrees because of lack of financing. In order to avoid this problem, use the information and resources in the financing section to help you plan and prepare properly.

Keep in mind that while the biggest expenses (such as tuition, room and board, and books) will require two or three large payments per year, students will also need some money on a monthly basis for items such as telephone bills, clothing, school supplies, entertainment, and personal items. Also keep in mind that there may always be unexpected expenses. It is a good idea to plan for any emergencies (such as a sudden illness) and to have backup sources of funding, if possible.

While very expensive, an American education is an investment that will greatly benefit the student's future. For many families it is a large sacrifice, but one that is extremely rewarding.