Education in the United States is locally controlled and administered. Consequently, there is a great deal of variation from one state to another, and even within a state. The basic structure, however, includes 12 years of regular schooling, preceded by one or two years of pre-school education, and followed for many by a four-stage higher education degree system (associate, bachelor's, master's, doctorate) plus various non-degree certificates and diplomas.

The following shows the progression students follow through the primary and secondary school systems.

Elementary School

Grade                       Age

Kindergarten             5-6

1 (First)                     6-7

2 (Second)               7-8

3 (Third)                  8-9

4 (Fourth)              9-10

5 (Fifth)               10-11

Middle School

Grade                     Age

6 (Sixth)                11-12

7 (Seventh)           12-13*

8 (Eighth)              13-14

*Some systems have Junior High School for Grades 7 and 8.

High School

Grade                       Age

9 (Freshman)         14-15

10 (Sophomore)    15-16

11 (Junior)            16-17

12 (Senior)           17-18

Source: Adapted from General School Information, an online publication of the Colorado Department of Education. (www.cde.state.co.us/index_home.htm)

From the July 2005 edition of eJournal USA.