Grade level
Encyclopedia
Often, people are educated
through a series of educational stages, such as primary school and university
. They vary around the world, and not every person will attend the same stages. Some countries describe the different stages in years, whereas other countries use a system of grades.
) recognizes seven levels of education in its International Standard Classification of Education system (ISCED
). These range from Level 0 (pre-primary education) to Level 6 (second stage of tertiary education). UNESCO's International Bureau of Education maintains a database of country-specific education systems and their stages.
, children undergo twelve years of formal education (plus Preschool, Kindergarten
and/or a "preparatory grade" or "Prep"), usually starting at age four, five or six, and finishing at age 17 or 18. The Years are numbered from 1 to 12.
In ACT
, NSW
, TAS
, and VIC
, primary school is Years 1–6, and secondary school
, Years 7–12 (see table below).
In WA
, SA
, and QLD
, primary school is Years 1–7 and secondary school, Years 8–12 (see table below).
Educação Infantil
Ensino Fundamental
Ensino Médio:
(excluding Hong Kong and Macau), the years are organized in three stages and renumbered within each stage: 6 years in elementary school
(小学) years 1 to 6, then 3 years in lower secondary
(初级中学, abbreviated 初中) years 1 to 3, then 3 years in higher secondary
(高级中学, abbreviated 高中) years 1 to 3. The first nine years (elementary 1–6 and junior secondary 1–3) are compulsory
, and the years in higher secondary school are voluntary. Completing higher secondary education or attaining an equivalent level is required before one may receive higher education
(高等教育) at universities.
system was based on the United Kingdom
system, with an optional year at kindergarten
, six years of primary school (小學) and seven years of secondary school
(中學), followed by three years at university. Primary 1 – 6 (小一 – 小六) corresponds to Years 1 – 6 in the UK, and Forms 1 – 7 (中一 – 中七) correspond to Years 7 – 13. Usually students begin Primary One at age 5 or 6 and complete Form 7 at age 18 or 19.
The system is now changed to 12 years of compulsory education at school (that is, removal of Form 7) followed by four years at university.
In Hong Kong, international schools follow the system of the country they are based upon, for example the English Schools Foundation
uses the UK year system, and French International Schools use the French collège
, école
, lycée system. Also, the English
term Form followed by the English number is common usage even in otherwise Cantonese conversations.
After this, students attend collège, from the ages of eleven to fifteen. The classes are numbered in descending order.
The final part of French secondary education takes place at the lycée. Education is only compulsory to the age of 14 or 16 le lycée covers three years, and concludes in the French Baccalaureat
. These are:
It is possible in France to fail a year, and need to resit (redoubler).
, there are two levels of compulsory education; primary school (ca.5–12 years of age) and secondary school
(ca.13–18 years). The names of each class are as follows:
After Sixth Class, students move to secondary school, entering;
Junior Cycle:
Senior Cycle:
In some schools, Transition Year is compulsory, in others it is optional, and in others is not available.
, education is compulsory from the age of 6 to the age of 16
note: On parents demand children can start the "Scuola Elementare" one year earlier
Educazione Infantile:
Scuola primaria (informally:Scuola Elementare):
Scuola secondaria di primo grado(informally:Scuola Media):
Scuola secondaria di secondo grado(informally: Scuola Superiore):
and secondary education
. Kindergarten is optional.
Malaysian primary school consists of six years of education, referred to as Standard 1 to Standard 6. Standards 1 – 3 are classified as Level One (Tahap Satu in Malay) while Standards 4 – 6 make up Level Two (Tahap Dua). Primary schooling usually begins at the age of 7 and ends at 12. Students take their first national examination, the UPSR
, towards the end of the Standard 6 school year. Performance in the UPSR has no effect on their resuming schooling; all students continue with their secondary education after leaving primary school.
Secondary schooling usually begins at age 13. Secondary schools offer education for a total of five years, starting with Form 1 and finishing at Form 5. Forms 1 – 3 are grouped together into the "Lower Form" and Forms 4 & 5 are considered the "Upper Form". Students in Form 3 will have to sit for their second national exam, the PMR
. They are then streamed into sciences or humanities classes for the Upper Form according to their performance in this exam. At age 17 students in Form 5 sit for the final level of national examinations, the SPM
(Malaysian Certificate of Education). Achieving a passing grade in the Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language) portion of the exams is compulsory; failure results in an automatic failing grade for all subjects taken in the examination and the student is held back to repeat Form 5. Completion of the examination signifies that the student has completed formal education in Malaysia; an SPM certificate remains the base requirement to secure most jobs in Malaysia.
After the SPM, students have a choice of either continuing with Form 6 (which comprises 2 years, Lower and Upper Six) or entering matriculation (pre-university programs). If they opt for Form 6, they will be required to take the STPM
examination. Although generally taken by those desiring to attend public universities in Malaysia, an STPM certification is internationally recognized and may also be used, though rarely required, to enter private local universities for undergraduate courses.
children are required by law to attend 10 years of educational instruction, from the age of 6 to 16. The law also provides in the same legislation that all people are allowed to attend free education to the age of 18, this legislation is the Education Act 1989. Children enroll at primary school when they turn five years old. From years 1–6 students attend primary school. In years 7 and 8 students attend intermediate, or a joint school (years 1–8 or years 7–13). The final years of free education are spent in secondary school (years 9–13). New Zealand also has an old educational staging system.
Primary school: (sometimes includes up to year 8)
Intermediate school:
Secondary school
: (sometimes includes years 7 and 8)
The second school is "ungdomsskole" (youth-school). At this level the students are rated with grades in each subject, in addition to behavior and orderliness:
The last school before higher education is called "videregående skole" (ongoing school) and is voluntary, though most choose to attend. At this level students decide among separate career-related schools. The most popular such school is designed to prepare one for further education, while others prepare students for vocations such as mechanics, electricians, cooks and so on. Educational stages in these schools begin again at "one" and are named Vg1, Vg2, Vg3 and Vg4. Some of the more practical schools last only two years, and some students may choose to attend an extra year to study higher education. The typical duration is three years, though some schools offer a four-year program to enable students to engage in more athletics or gather real work experience.
, compulsory education lasts eight or nine years and begins the year the child turns seven (8 years) or, sometimes, six (9 years). The first stage of elementary school can last either 3 years (so called 1-3 programme for children starting at the age of 7) or 4 years (so called 1-4 programme for children starting at the age of 6). After of the first stage all pupils enter 5th grade, thus pupils that started at the age of 7 do not attend the 4th grade.
While it is not compulsory to remain in school after graduating from middle school
, a student can't progress to university
without graduating from high school
or vocational technical school
.
, compulsory education lasts ten years and begins the year the child turns seven. However, most children receive a preschool education spanning two to three years before entering primary school after which they will move on to a secondary school.
While it is not compulsory to remain in school after graduating from secondary school, most go on to receive their tertiary education at a junior college
, a polytechnic, or an institute of technical education
(ITE) before moving on to university.
and Wales
education is divided into two stages: primary education
and secondary education
. Required assessment within the National Curriculum takes place in years 2, 6, 9 (National Curriculum assessment
s) and Year 11 (GCSEs). School education is generally followed by two years of further education – often in a Sixth form
or Sixth form college
and then three or four years at university by those who decide to stay in education.
Children begin school either in the school year or school term in which they reach their fifth birthday. Primary schools educate children from Reception through to Year 6, and may be subdivided into infant
and junior school
s. Alternatively, children may attend private prep school
s.
Secondary education is compulsory to the age of 16. Schools have various possible names, such as grammar
, comprehensive
and secondary schools, which may or may not indicate selective admission or tuition fees (see main article). Sixth Form
education is not compulsory at present, and not all secondary schools have a sixth form. There are also Sixth form college
s just for Year 12 and 13 students.
Some secondary schools still use the 'form' system, with Year 7 being First Form (or "first year"), Year 8 being Second Form, et cetera, up until Years 12 and 13, which together make up the Sixth Form (namely lower and upper sixth form). Some independent schools use other naming systems.
In some areas in England, a three-tier system
of education is used, in which students pass through three stages: First school
/Lower school (Reception
to Year 3/4), Middle school
(Year 4/5 to Year 7/8) and finally High or Upper School
(Year 8/9–Year 13).
resembles that in place in England Wales, but there are notable differences. Education is compulsory during only 12 years, with pupils starting primary school in the September following their 4th birthday (except for those born in July or August, who start a year later). Years are numbered from this point, meaning that Year 2 in the Northern Irish system is the closest in age range to England's Year 1.
As with England and Wales, education is divided into primary and secondary (or post-primary) sectors, with a division at age 11. The label Key Stage
is also used, although with slightly different meanings to those seen in England. the province has a wholly selective system at the post-primary level, with all Year 7 pupils taking the Eleven plus
tests. This system will end with the new intake in 2009, with new arrangements as yet to be confirmed.
, education is divided into two stages: primary education
and secondary education
. Primary education is delivered almost exclusively through primary schools which offer education for pupils aged between 4 and 12. Children are entitled to pre-school education from their third birthday, and must enter compulsory education from the August after their 5th birthday. There is some leeway in the starting date or pupils http://www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk/Startingschool/StartingSchoolForTheFirstTime/StartingSchool.asp.
Education lasts 7 years in the primary school, before pupils move to a secondary school for between 4 and 6 years, the last two being optional.
There is some variation in the phasing of education in more remote areas of Scotland, where provision may be made in a through school, or in other combinations of institutes.
In Canada
(except from the province of Quebec
) and the United States
the grades traditionally begin at 1 and run to 12; they are referred to by ordinal number (e.g. "third grade") in the United States and by cardinal number ("Grade Three") in Canada. An additional preceding level called Kindergarten
is now standard in most areas, and a further preceding level called Preschool education
or Nursery school
is not uncommon. In the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, as well as some parts of the state of Wisconsin, kindergarten is split further into junior and senior kindergarten.
At the secondary school level, grades 9–12 are also known as freshman
(or "first-year"), sophomore
, junior, and senior
, especially in the United States. At the post-secondary level (college or university), these terms are used almost exclusively to refer to what would otherwise be grades 13–16, also mainly in the United States. However, at the post-secondary level in Canada, freshman is often called first-year, sophomore as second-year, and so on.
These tables outline the ages, in years, of each grade level. However, students are sometimes older because of grade retention
or younger because of grade skipping
.
The Quebec system differs slightly, kindergarten (maternelle) is followed by elementary school (école primaire, from grade one to six), then followed by five years of high school or secondary school (école secondaire). This is typically followed by college
, a two year pre-university (university for Quebecers is three years, except Engineering), or three year vocational program program taken after high school. (see Education in Quebec
)
Elementary school
: (sometimes includes grade 5 or 6, and sometimes goes up to grade 8)
Middle school
: (variations: grade 5–6, grade 6–8, grade 5–8, grade 5–9, grade 6–9, grade 7–8, grade 7-9; sometimes called Junior High)
High school
:
College
:
Children typically start school at age five or six. Also, some areas use junior high school, typically grades 7–8 or 9, instead of middle school. The grade configurations vary from school to school and district to district in the United States and Canada. The most common grade configuration in the United States currently is K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 but many other configurations exist.
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
through a series of educational stages, such as primary school and university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
. They vary around the world, and not every person will attend the same stages. Some countries describe the different stages in years, whereas other countries use a system of grades.
International
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCOUNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
) recognizes seven levels of education in its International Standard Classification of Education system (ISCED
ISCED
The International Standard Classification of Education is classification structure for organizing information on education and training maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization...
). These range from Level 0 (pre-primary education) to Level 6 (second stage of tertiary education). UNESCO's International Bureau of Education maintains a database of country-specific education systems and their stages.
Australia
In AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, children undergo twelve years of formal education (plus Preschool, Kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
and/or a "preparatory grade" or "Prep"), usually starting at age four, five or six, and finishing at age 17 or 18. The Years are numbered from 1 to 12.
In ACT
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
, NSW
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, TAS
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, and VIC
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, primary school is Years 1–6, and secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
, Years 7–12 (see table below).
| Year | Ages | School |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 3-5 | Day Care Day care Child care or day care is care of a child during the day by a person other than the child's legal guardians, typically performed by someone outside the child's immediate family... |
| Prep | 5-6 | Preschool |
| Year 1 | 6-7 | Primary |
| Year 2 | 7-8 | |
| Year 3 | 8-9 | |
| Year 4 | 9-10 | |
| Year 5 | 10-11 | |
| Year 6 | 11-12 | |
| Year 7 | 12-13 | Secondary Secondary school Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place... |
| Year 8 | 13-14 | |
| Year 9 | 14-15 | |
| Year 10 | 15-16 | |
| Year 11 | 16-17 | |
| Year 12 | 17-18 |
In WA
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, SA
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, and QLD
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, primary school is Years 1–7 and secondary school, Years 8–12 (see table below).
| Year | Ages | School |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 3-5 | Day Care Day care Child care or day care is care of a child during the day by a person other than the child's legal guardians, typically performed by someone outside the child's immediate family... |
| Prep | 5-6 | Preschool |
| Year 1 | 6-7 | Primary |
| Year 2 | 7-8 | |
| Year 3 | 8-9 | |
| Year 4 | 9-10 | |
| Year 5 | 10-11 | |
| Year 6 | 11-12 | |
| Year 7 | 12-13 | |
| Year 8 | 13-14 | Secondary Secondary school Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place... |
| Year 9 | 14-15 | |
| Year 10 | 15-16 | |
| Year 11 | 16-17 | |
| Year 12 | 17-18 |
Brazil
In Brazil there are three levels of Basic Education: "Educação Infantil" (Preschool in the US), "Ensino Fundamental" (Elementary School in the US) and "Ensino Médio" (High School in the US), which generally are completed by age eighteen. Basic Education is designed to provide the necessary minimum knowledge for the exercise of citizenship.It also serves to develop consciousness for choosing future professions. In Brazil, after the name of the grade one may use the names "série" or "ano". The educational stages in Brazil are divided as follows:Educação Infantil
| Educação Infantil (Brazil Grade) | Ages | Correspondent in the U.S |
|---|---|---|
| Creche | 0–3 | Day Care Day care Child care or day care is care of a child during the day by a person other than the child's legal guardians, typically performed by someone outside the child's immediate family... |
| Pré-Escola | 4–6 | Preschool |
Ensino Fundamental
| Ensino Fundamental (Brazil Grade) | Ages | Correspondent in the U.S |
|---|---|---|
| 1o ano (Primeiro Ano) | 6–7 | first grade First grade First grade is a year of primary education in schools in the United States and English-speaking provinces of Canada. It is the first school year after kindergarten... |
| 2o ano (Segundo Ano) | 7–8 | second grade Second grade In the United States, second grade is a year of primary education. Second grade is the second school year after kindergarten. Students are traditionally 7–8 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs.... |
| 3o ano (Terceiro Ano) | 8–9 | third grade Third grade In the United States, third grade is a year of primary education. It is the third school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 8 – 9 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs.... |
| 4o ano (Quarto Ano) | 9–10 | fourth grade Fourth grade Fourth grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The fourth grade is the fourth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 9 or 10 years old, depending on their birthday. It is a part of elementary school. In some parts of the United States, fourth grade... |
| 5o ano (Quinto Ano) | 10–11 | fifth grade Fifth grade Fifth grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The fifth grade is the fifth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 10 – 11 years old, and are preteens... |
| 6o ano (Sexto Ano) | 11–12 | sixth grade Sixth grade Sixth grade is a year of education in the United States and some other nations. The sixth grade is the sixth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 11 – 12 years old... |
| 7o ano (Sétimo Ano) | 12–13 | seventh grade Seventh grade Seventh grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The seventh grade is the seventh school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 12–13 years old. Traditionally, seventh grade was the next-to-last year of elementary school... |
| 8o ano (Oitavo Ano) | 13–14 | eighth grade Eighth grade Eighth grade is a year of education in the United States, Canada, Australia and other nations. Students are usually 13 - 14 years old. The eighth grade is typically the final grade before high school, and the ninth grade of public and private education, following kindergarten and subsequent grades... |
| 9o ano (Nono Ano) | 14–15 | ninth grade Ninth grade Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 13 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday occurs. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school.... |
Ensino Médio:
| Ensino Médio (Brazil Grade) | Ages | Correspondent in the U.S |
|---|---|---|
| 1o ano (Primeiro Ano) | 15–16 | tenth grade Tenth grade In majority of the world,Tenth grade is the tenth year of school post-kindergarten. The variants of "10th grade" in various nations is described below.-Australia:... |
| 2o ano (Segundo Ano) | 16–17 | eleventh grade Eleventh grade Eleventh Grade is the eleventh, and for some countries final, grade of secondary schools. Students are typically 16 or 17 years of age, depending on the country and the students' birthdays.-Brazil:... |
| 3o ano (Terceiro Ano) | 17–18 | twelfth grade Twelfth grade Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all... |
China
In the People's Republic of ChinaPeople's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
(excluding Hong Kong and Macau), the years are organized in three stages and renumbered within each stage: 6 years in elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
(小学) years 1 to 6, then 3 years in lower secondary
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
(初级中学, abbreviated 初中) years 1 to 3, then 3 years in higher secondary
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
(高级中学, abbreviated 高中) years 1 to 3. The first nine years (elementary 1–6 and junior secondary 1–3) are compulsory
Compulsory education
Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of all persons.-Antiquity to Medieval Era:Although Plato's The Republic is credited with having popularized the concept of compulsory education in Western intellectual thought, every parent in Judea since Moses's Covenant with...
, and the years in higher secondary school are voluntary. Completing higher secondary education or attaining an equivalent level is required before one may receive higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
(高等教育) at universities.
| Year | Ages | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6-7 | Elementary Elementary school An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar... |
| Year 2 | 7-8 | |
| Year 3 | 8-9 | |
| Year 4 | 9-10 | |
| Year 5 | 10-11 | |
| Year 6 | 11-12 | |
| Year 1 | 12-13 | Lower secondary Middle school Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable... |
| Year 2 | 13-14 | |
| Year 3 | 14-15 | |
| Year 1 | 15-16 | Higher secondary High school High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions.... |
| Year 2 | 16-17 | |
| Year 3 | 17-18 |
Hong Kong
The Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
system was based on the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
system, with an optional year at kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
, six years of primary school (小學) and seven years of secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
(中學), followed by three years at university. Primary 1 – 6 (小一 – 小六) corresponds to Years 1 – 6 in the UK, and Forms 1 – 7 (中一 – 中七) correspond to Years 7 – 13. Usually students begin Primary One at age 5 or 6 and complete Form 7 at age 18 or 19.
The system is now changed to 12 years of compulsory education at school (that is, removal of Form 7) followed by four years at university.
In Hong Kong, international schools follow the system of the country they are based upon, for example the English Schools Foundation
English Schools Foundation
The English Schools Foundation is an organisation that runs 20 educational institutions, most of which are international schools, which are all located in Hong Kong...
uses the UK year system, and French International Schools use the French collège
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
, école
École
École is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.-Geography:The village lies in the north-western part of the commune, on the left bank of the Chéran, which forms most of the commune's northern border....
, lycée system. Also, the English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
term Form followed by the English number is common usage even in otherwise Cantonese conversations.
France
The most junior level of schooling in France is l'école maternelle. Compulsory education begins at the age of six, when children enter l'école élémentaire. The two may be combined, known as l'école primaire. The numbered years, or classes are as follows:- Cycle I : cycle des apprentissages premiers
- Toute Petite Section or TPS
- Petite Section or PS
- Moyenne Section or MS
- Grande Section or GS
- Cycle II : cycle des apprentissages fondamentaux
- Second year : Cours préparatoire or CP (6–7 years).
- Third year : Cours élémentaire niveau 1 or CE1 (7–8 years).
- Cycle III : cycles des approfondissements
- First year : Cours élémentaire niveau 2 or CE2 (8–9 years).
- Second year : Cours moyen niveau 1 or CM1 (9–10 years).
- Third year : Cours moyen niveau 2 or CM2 (10–11 years).
After this, students attend collège, from the ages of eleven to fifteen. The classes are numbered in descending order.
- Sixième (11–12 years)
- Cinquième (12–13 years)
- Quatrième (13–14 years)
- Troisième (14–15 years)
The final part of French secondary education takes place at the lycée. Education is only compulsory to the age of 14 or 16 le lycée covers three years, and concludes in the French Baccalaureat
Baccalauréat
The baccalauréat , often known in France colloquially as le bac, is an academic qualification which French and international students take at the end of the lycée . It was introduced by Napoleon I in 1808. It is the main diploma required to pursue university studies...
. These are:
- Seconde
- Première
- Terminale
It is possible in France to fail a year, and need to resit (redoubler).
Ireland
In the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, there are two levels of compulsory education; primary school (ca.5–12 years of age) and secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
(ca.13–18 years). The names of each class are as follows:
- Junior Infants (4–5 years)
- Senior Infants (5–6 years)
- First Class (6–7 years)
- Second Class (7–8 years)
- Third Class (8–9 years)
- Fourth Class (9–10 years)
- Fifth Class (10–11 years)
- Sixth Class (11–12 years)
After Sixth Class, students move to secondary school, entering;
Junior Cycle:
- First Year (12–13 years)
- Second Year (13–14 years)
- Third Year (14–15 years) - Junior CertificateJunior CertificateThe Junior Certificate is an educational qualification awarded in Ireland by the Department of Education to students who have successfully completed the junior cycle of secondary education, and achieved a minimum standard in their Junior Cert. examinations...
- Fourth Year [or Transition Year] (15–16 years)
Senior Cycle:
- Fifth Year (15–17 years)
- Sixth Year [or Final Year] (16–18 years) - Leaving CertificateLeaving CertificateThe Leaving Certificate Examinations , commonly referred to as the Leaving Cert is the final examination in the Irish secondary school system. It takes a minimum of two years preparation, but an optional Transition Year means that for those students it takes place three years after the Junior...
In some schools, Transition Year is compulsory, in others it is optional, and in others is not available.
Italy
In ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, education is compulsory from the age of 6 to the age of 16
note: On parents demand children can start the "Scuola Elementare" one year earlier
Educazione Infantile:
- Asilo nido: 3 months - 3 years
- Scuola d'infanzia: 3 years-5 years
Scuola primaria (informally:Scuola Elementare):
- I elementare: 6-7
- II elementare: 7-8
- III elementare: 8-9
- IV elementare: 9-10
- V elementare: 10-11
Scuola secondaria di primo grado(informally:Scuola Media):
- I media inferiore - 10-11
- II media inferiore - 11-12
- III media inferiore - 12-13
Scuola secondaria di secondo grado(informally: Scuola Superiore):
- biennio
- I media superiore - 13-14
- II media superiore - 14-15
- triennio
- III media superiore - 15-16
- IV media superiore - 16-17
- V media superiore - 17-18
Malaysia
Compulsory education in Malaysia spans a period of 11 years and comprises both primaryPrimary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
and secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
. Kindergarten is optional.
Malaysian primary school consists of six years of education, referred to as Standard 1 to Standard 6. Standards 1 – 3 are classified as Level One (Tahap Satu in Malay) while Standards 4 – 6 make up Level Two (Tahap Dua). Primary schooling usually begins at the age of 7 and ends at 12. Students take their first national examination, the UPSR
Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah
Primary School Evaluation Test, also known as Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah , is a national examination taken by all students in Malaysia at the end of their sixth year in primary school before they leave for secondary school...
, towards the end of the Standard 6 school year. Performance in the UPSR has no effect on their resuming schooling; all students continue with their secondary education after leaving primary school.
Secondary schooling usually begins at age 13. Secondary schools offer education for a total of five years, starting with Form 1 and finishing at Form 5. Forms 1 – 3 are grouped together into the "Lower Form" and Forms 4 & 5 are considered the "Upper Form". Students in Form 3 will have to sit for their second national exam, the PMR
Penilaian Menengah Rendah
Penilaian Menengah Rendah is a Malaysian public examination taken by all Form Three students in both government and private schools throughout the country. It was formerly known as Sijil Rendah Pelajaran...
. They are then streamed into sciences or humanities classes for the Upper Form according to their performance in this exam. At age 17 students in Form 5 sit for the final level of national examinations, the SPM
Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia
The Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia , or the Malaysian Certificate of Education, is a national examination taken by all fifth-year secondary school students in Malaysia...
(Malaysian Certificate of Education). Achieving a passing grade in the Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language) portion of the exams is compulsory; failure results in an automatic failing grade for all subjects taken in the examination and the student is held back to repeat Form 5. Completion of the examination signifies that the student has completed formal education in Malaysia; an SPM certificate remains the base requirement to secure most jobs in Malaysia.
After the SPM, students have a choice of either continuing with Form 6 (which comprises 2 years, Lower and Upper Six) or entering matriculation (pre-university programs). If they opt for Form 6, they will be required to take the STPM
Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia
The Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia is a pre-university examination taken by students in Malaysia. It was formerly known as the Higher School Certificate...
examination. Although generally taken by those desiring to attend public universities in Malaysia, an STPM certification is internationally recognized and may also be used, though rarely required, to enter private local universities for undergraduate courses.
New Zealand
In New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
children are required by law to attend 10 years of educational instruction, from the age of 6 to 16. The law also provides in the same legislation that all people are allowed to attend free education to the age of 18, this legislation is the Education Act 1989. Children enroll at primary school when they turn five years old. From years 1–6 students attend primary school. In years 7 and 8 students attend intermediate, or a joint school (years 1–8 or years 7–13). The final years of free education are spent in secondary school (years 9–13). New Zealand also has an old educational staging system.
Primary school: (sometimes includes up to year 8)
| Year Level | Ages | Form Level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5–6 | |
| 2 | 6–7 | |
| 3 | 7–8 | |
| 4 | 8–9 | |
| 5 | 9–10 | |
| 6 | 10–11 | |
Intermediate school:
| Year Level | Ages | Form Level |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 11–12 | 1 |
| 8 | 12–13 | 2 |
Secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
: (sometimes includes years 7 and 8)
| Year Level | Ages | Form Level |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 13–14 | 3 |
| 10 | 14–15 | 4 |
| 11 | 15–16 | 5 |
| 12 | 16–17 | 6 |
| 13 | 17–18 | 7 |
Norway
In Norway children start school at the age of six; before that kindergarten is voluntary. This school is called "barneskole" (childrenschool):- 6–7: First grade
- 7–8: Second grade
- 8–9: Third grade
- 9–10: Fourth grade
- 10–11: Fifth grade
- 11–12: Sixth grade
- 12–13: Seventh grade
The second school is "ungdomsskole" (youth-school). At this level the students are rated with grades in each subject, in addition to behavior and orderliness:
- 13–14: Eighth grade
- 14–15: Ninth grade
- 15–16: Tenth grade
The last school before higher education is called "videregående skole" (ongoing school) and is voluntary, though most choose to attend. At this level students decide among separate career-related schools. The most popular such school is designed to prepare one for further education, while others prepare students for vocations such as mechanics, electricians, cooks and so on. Educational stages in these schools begin again at "one" and are named Vg1, Vg2, Vg3 and Vg4. Some of the more practical schools last only two years, and some students may choose to attend an extra year to study higher education. The typical duration is three years, though some schools offer a four-year program to enable students to engage in more athletics or gather real work experience.
- 16–17: Vg1
- 17–18: Vg2
- 18–19: Vg3
- 19–20: Vg4
Philippines
In the Philippines, there are only ten years of compulsory education. School starts on the first and second week of June while school ends on the last week of March or first week of April. There are three stages of education in the Philippines — elementary, junior high school and senior high school. The original ten years of compulsory education, was raised to twelve years of education. This policy will be effective at June 2015. Here is the table:| Grade | Age | School | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Kindergarten A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school... |
4–5 | Preschool | Elementary Elementary Elementary may refer to:*Elementary or Primary education, the first years of formal, structured education that occur during childhood*Elementary school, a school providing elementary or primary education*Elementary , 2007... |
| Grade 1 First grade First grade is a year of primary education in schools in the United States and English-speaking provinces of Canada. It is the first school year after kindergarten... |
5–6 | Primary school | |
| Grade 2 Second grade In the United States, second grade is a year of primary education. Second grade is the second school year after kindergarten. Students are traditionally 7–8 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs.... |
6–7 | ||
| Grade 3 Third grade In the United States, third grade is a year of primary education. It is the third school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 8 – 9 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs.... |
7–8 | ||
| Grade 4 Fourth grade Fourth grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The fourth grade is the fourth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 9 or 10 years old, depending on their birthday. It is a part of elementary school. In some parts of the United States, fourth grade... |
8–9 | ||
| Grade 5 Fifth grade Fifth grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The fifth grade is the fifth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 10 – 11 years old, and are preteens... |
9–10 | ||
| Grade 6 Sixth grade Sixth grade is a year of education in the United States and some other nations. The sixth grade is the sixth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 11 – 12 years old... |
10–11 | ||
| 1st Year Seventh grade Seventh grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The seventh grade is the seventh school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 12–13 years old. Traditionally, seventh grade was the next-to-last year of elementary school... |
11–12 | Secondary school Secondary school Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place... |
Junior high school |
| 2nd Year Eighth grade Eighth grade is a year of education in the United States, Canada, Australia and other nations. Students are usually 13 - 14 years old. The eighth grade is typically the final grade before high school, and the ninth grade of public and private education, following kindergarten and subsequent grades... |
12–13 | ||
| 3rd Year Ninth grade Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 13 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday occurs. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school.... |
13–14 | ||
| 4th Year Tenth grade In majority of the world,Tenth grade is the tenth year of school post-kindergarten. The variants of "10th grade" in various nations is described below.-Australia:... |
14–15 | ||
| Senior 1st Year Eleventh grade Eleventh Grade is the eleventh, and for some countries final, grade of secondary schools. Students are typically 16 or 17 years of age, depending on the country and the students' birthdays.-Brazil:... |
15–16 | Senior high school | |
| Senior 2nd Year Twelfth grade Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all... |
16–17 |
Russia
In RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, compulsory education lasts eight or nine years and begins the year the child turns seven (8 years) or, sometimes, six (9 years). The first stage of elementary school can last either 3 years (so called 1-3 programme for children starting at the age of 7) or 4 years (so called 1-4 programme for children starting at the age of 6). After of the first stage all pupils enter 5th grade, thus pupils that started at the age of 7 do not attend the 4th grade.
| Year | Ages | School |
|---|---|---|
| First Grade First grade First grade is a year of primary education in schools in the United States and English-speaking provinces of Canada. It is the first school year after kindergarten... |
7–8 (6–7) | Elementary Elementary school An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar... |
| Second Grade Second grade In the United States, second grade is a year of primary education. Second grade is the second school year after kindergarten. Students are traditionally 7–8 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs.... |
8–9 (7–8) | |
| Third Grade Third grade In the United States, third grade is a year of primary education. It is the third school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 8 – 9 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs.... |
9–10 (8–9) | |
| Fourth grade Fourth grade Fourth grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The fourth grade is the fourth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 9 or 10 years old, depending on their birthday. It is a part of elementary school. In some parts of the United States, fourth grade... |
9-10 (only for the pupils studding by 1-4 programme) | |
| Fifth Grade Fifth grade Fifth grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The fifth grade is the fifth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 10 – 11 years old, and are preteens... |
10–11 | Middle Middle school Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable... |
| Sixth Grade Sixth grade Sixth grade is a year of education in the United States and some other nations. The sixth grade is the sixth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 11 – 12 years old... |
11–12 | |
| Seventh Grade Seventh grade Seventh grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The seventh grade is the seventh school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 12–13 years old. Traditionally, seventh grade was the next-to-last year of elementary school... |
12–13 | |
| Eighth Grade Eighth grade Eighth grade is a year of education in the United States, Canada, Australia and other nations. Students are usually 13 - 14 years old. The eighth grade is typically the final grade before high school, and the ninth grade of public and private education, following kindergarten and subsequent grades... |
13–14 | |
| Ninth Grade Ninth grade Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 13 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday occurs. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school.... |
14–15 | |
| Tenth Grade Tenth grade In majority of the world,Tenth grade is the tenth year of school post-kindergarten. The variants of "10th grade" in various nations is described below.-Australia:... |
15–16 | High High school High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions.... |
| Eleventh Grade Eleventh grade Eleventh Grade is the eleventh, and for some countries final, grade of secondary schools. Students are typically 16 or 17 years of age, depending on the country and the students' birthdays.-Brazil:... |
16–17 |
While it is not compulsory to remain in school after graduating from middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
, a student can't progress to university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
without graduating from high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
or vocational technical school
Vocational technical school
Vocational Technical School – "Professionalno-tehnicheskoye uchilishche" are vocational education facilities established in the former Soviet Union to train qualified industrial workers and servicemen...
.
Singapore
In SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, compulsory education lasts ten years and begins the year the child turns seven. However, most children receive a preschool education spanning two to three years before entering primary school after which they will move on to a secondary school.
| Year | Ages | School |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool | 3–6 | |
| Primary One | 6–7 | Primary |
| Primary Two | 7–8 | |
| Primary Three | 8–9 | |
| Primary Four | 9–10 | |
| Primary Five | 10–11 | |
| Primary Six | 11–12 | |
| Secondary One | 12–13 | Secondary Secondary school Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place... |
| Secondary Two | 13–14 | |
| Secondary Three | 14–15 | |
| Secondary Four | 15–16 |
While it is not compulsory to remain in school after graduating from secondary school, most go on to receive their tertiary education at a junior college
Junior college
The term junior college refers to different educational institutions in different countries.-India:In India, most states provide schooling through 12th grade...
, a polytechnic, or an institute of technical education
Institute of Technical Education
The Institute of Technical Education is a post-secondary institution in Singapore that provides pre-employment training to secondary school leavers and continuing education and training to working adults....
(ITE) before moving on to university.
England and Wales
In EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
education is divided into two stages: primary education
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
and secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
. Required assessment within the National Curriculum takes place in years 2, 6, 9 (National Curriculum assessment
National Curriculum assessment
National Curriculum assessments are a series of educational assessments, colloquially known as Sats or SATs, used to assess the attainment of children attending maintained schools in England...
s) and Year 11 (GCSEs). School education is generally followed by two years of further education – often in a Sixth form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
or Sixth form college
Sixth form college
A sixth form college is an educational institution in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Belize, Hong Kong or Malta where students aged 16 to 18 typically study for advanced school-level qualifications, such as A-levels, or school-level qualifications such as GCSEs. In Singapore and India, this is...
and then three or four years at university by those who decide to stay in education.
Children begin school either in the school year or school term in which they reach their fifth birthday. Primary schools educate children from Reception through to Year 6, and may be subdivided into infant
Infant school
An Infant school is a term used primarily in the United Kingdom for school for children between the ages of four and seven years. It is usually a small school serving a particular locality....
and junior school
Junior school
A junior school is a type of school which caters for children, often between the ages of 7 and 11.-Australia:In Australia, a junior school is usually a part of a private school that educates children between the ages of 5 and 12....
s. Alternatively, children may attend private prep school
Preparatory school (UK)
In English language usage in the former British Empire, the present-day Commonwealth, a preparatory school is an independent school preparing children up to the age of eleven or thirteen for entry into fee-paying, secondary independent schools, some of which are known as public schools...
s.
Secondary education is compulsory to the age of 16. Schools have various possible names, such as grammar
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
, comprehensive
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
and secondary schools, which may or may not indicate selective admission or tuition fees (see main article). Sixth Form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
education is not compulsory at present, and not all secondary schools have a sixth form. There are also Sixth form college
Sixth form college
A sixth form college is an educational institution in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Belize, Hong Kong or Malta where students aged 16 to 18 typically study for advanced school-level qualifications, such as A-levels, or school-level qualifications such as GCSEs. In Singapore and India, this is...
s just for Year 12 and 13 students.
Some secondary schools still use the 'form' system, with Year 7 being First Form (or "first year"), Year 8 being Second Form, et cetera, up until Years 12 and 13, which together make up the Sixth Form (namely lower and upper sixth form). Some independent schools use other naming systems.
In some areas in England, a three-tier system
Three-tier education
Three-tier education refers to those structures of schooling, which exist in some parts of England, where pupils are taught in three distinct school types. A similar experiment was also trialled in Scotland....
of education is used, in which students pass through three stages: First school
First School
First school and lower school are terms used in some areas of the United Kingdom to describe the first stage of primary education. Some English Local Education Authorities have introduced First Schools since the 1960s...
/Lower school (Reception
Reception (school)
Reception or Primary 1 or FS2 is the first year of primary school in the United Kingdom and South Australia. It is preceded by nursery and is followed by Year One in England and Wales or Primary 2 in Northern Ireland and Scotland.Pupils in Reception are usually aged between four and five...
to Year 3/4), Middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
(Year 4/5 to Year 7/8) and finally High or Upper School
Upper school
Upper Schools tend to be schools within secondary education. Outside England, the term normally refers to a section of a larger school. There is some variation in the use of the term in England.-State Maintained Schools:...
(Year 8/9–Year 13).
| Year | Ages | School | Key Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery Nursery school A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of one and five years, staffed by suitably qualified and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than simply providing childcare... |
3-4 | Early Years / Foundation Early Years Foundation Stage The Early Years Foundation Stage is a term defined in Section 39 of the British government's Childcare Act 2006. The EYFS comprises a set of Welfare Requirements and a set of Learning and Development Requirements, which must be followed by providers of care for children below 5 years old – the age... |
|
| Reception Reception (school) Reception or Primary 1 or FS2 is the first year of primary school in the United Kingdom and South Australia. It is preceded by nursery and is followed by Year One in England and Wales or Primary 2 in Northern Ireland and Scotland.Pupils in Reception are usually aged between four and five... |
4–5 | Infant Infant school An Infant school is a term used primarily in the United Kingdom for school for children between the ages of four and seven years. It is usually a small school serving a particular locality.... or Primary |
|
| Year One Year One (school) Year One is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the first year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between five and six.-Australia:... |
5–6 | Key Stage 1 Key Stage 1 Key Stage 1 is the legal term for the two years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 1 and Year 2, when pupils are aged between 5 and 7. This Key Stage normally covers pupils during infant school, although in some cases this might form part of a first or... |
|
| Year Two Year Two Year Two is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the second year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between six and seven.-Australia:... |
6–7 | ||
| Year Three Year Three Year Three is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the third year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between seven and nine.-Australia:... |
7–8 | Junior Junior school A junior school is a type of school which caters for children, often between the ages of 7 and 11.-Australia:In Australia, a junior school is usually a part of a private school that educates children between the ages of 5 and 12.... or Primary |
Key Stage 2 Key Stage 2 Key Stage 2 is the legal term for the four years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6, when pupils are aged between 7 and 11. The term is applied differently in Northern Ireland where it refers to pupils in Year 5, Year 6 and... |
| Year Four Year Four Year Four is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the fourth year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between eight and ten.-Australia:... |
8–9 | ||
| Year Five Year Five Year Five is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the fifth year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between nine and eleven.-Australia:... |
9–10 | ||
| Year Six Year Six Year Six is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the sixth year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between ten and twelve.-Australia:... |
10–11 | ||
| Year Seven Year Seven Year Seven is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the seventh year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between eleven and thirteen.-Australia:... |
11–12 | Secondary Secondary school Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place... |
Key Stage 3 Key Stage 3 Key Stage 3 is the legal term for the three years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9, when pupils are aged between 11 and 14... |
| Year Eight Year Eight Year Eight is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the eighth year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between twelve and thirteen.-Australia:... |
12–13 | ||
| Year Nine Year Nine Year Nine is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the ninth year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between thirteen and fourteen.... |
13–14 | ||
| Year Ten Year Ten Year Ten is an educational year group in schools in many countries including Bangladesh, England, India, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the tenth year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between fourteen and sixteen.-Bangladesh:In schools in... |
14–15 | Key Stage 4 Key Stage 4 Key Stage 4 is the legal term for the two years of school education which incorporate GCSEs, and other exams, in maintained schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland—normally known as Year 10 and Year 11 in England and Wales, and Year 11 and Year 12 in Northern Ireland, when pupils are... |
|
| Year Eleven Year Eleven Year Eleven is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the eleventh year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between fifteen and seventeen.... |
15–16 | ||
| Year Twelve Year Twelve Year Twelve is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It is sometimes the twelfth year of compulsory education, or alternatively a year of post-compulsory education... |
16–17 | Secondary Secondary school Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place... or Sixth form college Sixth form college A sixth form college is an educational institution in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Belize, Hong Kong or Malta where students aged 16 to 18 typically study for advanced school-level qualifications, such as A-levels, or school-level qualifications such as GCSEs. In Singapore and India, this is... |
Key Stage 5 Key Stage 5 Key Stage 5 is an unofficial label used to describe the two years of post-compulsory education for students aged 16-18, or at sixth form, in the United Kingdom, to align with previous Key Stages as labelled for the National Curriculum.... |
| Year Thirteen Year Thirteen Year Thirteen is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It is sometimes the thirteenth and final year of compulsory education, or alternatively a year of post-compulsory education... |
17–18 |
Northern Ireland
The system in place in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
resembles that in place in England Wales, but there are notable differences. Education is compulsory during only 12 years, with pupils starting primary school in the September following their 4th birthday (except for those born in July or August, who start a year later). Years are numbered from this point, meaning that Year 2 in the Northern Irish system is the closest in age range to England's Year 1.
As with England and Wales, education is divided into primary and secondary (or post-primary) sectors, with a division at age 11. The label Key Stage
Key Stage
A Key Stage is a stage of the state education system in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the British Territory of Gibraltar setting the educational knowledge expected of students at various ages...
is also used, although with slightly different meanings to those seen in England. the province has a wholly selective system at the post-primary level, with all Year 7 pupils taking the Eleven plus
Eleven plus
In the United Kingdom, the 11-plus or Eleven plus is an examination administered to some students in their last year of primary education, governing admission to various types of secondary school. The name derives from the age group for secondary entry: 11–12 years...
tests. This system will end with the new intake in 2009, with new arrangements as yet to be confirmed.
| Year | Ages | School | Key Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year One Year One (school) Year One is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the first year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between five and six.-Australia:... |
4–5 | Primary | Foundation Stage Foundation Stage Foundation Stage is the British government label for education of pupils aged 3 to 5 in England. In Northern Ireland, it is also used to refer to the first two years of compulsory education for pupils aged 4 to 6.-England:... |
| Year Two | 5–6 | ||
| Year Three | 6–7 | Key Stage 1 Key Stage 1 Key Stage 1 is the legal term for the two years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 1 and Year 2, when pupils are aged between 5 and 7. This Key Stage normally covers pupils during infant school, although in some cases this might form part of a first or... |
|
| Year Four | 7–8 | ||
| Year Five | 8–9 | Key Stage 2 Key Stage 2 Key Stage 2 is the legal term for the four years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6, when pupils are aged between 7 and 11. The term is applied differently in Northern Ireland where it refers to pupils in Year 5, Year 6 and... |
|
| Year Six | 9–10 | ||
| Year Seven | 10–11 | ||
| Year Eight | 11–12 | Secondary Secondary school Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place... |
Key Stage 3 Key Stage 3 Key Stage 3 is the legal term for the three years of schooling in maintained schools in England and Wales normally known as Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9, when pupils are aged between 11 and 14... |
| Year Nine | 12–13 | ||
| Year Ten | 13–14 | ||
| Year Eleven | 14–15 | Key Stage 4 Key Stage 4 Key Stage 4 is the legal term for the two years of school education which incorporate GCSEs, and other exams, in maintained schools in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland—normally known as Year 10 and Year 11 in England and Wales, and Year 11 and Year 12 in Northern Ireland, when pupils are... |
|
| Year Twelve | 15–16 |
Scotland
In ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, education is divided into two stages: primary education
Primary education
A primary school is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational,...
and secondary education
Secondary education
Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...
. Primary education is delivered almost exclusively through primary schools which offer education for pupils aged between 4 and 12. Children are entitled to pre-school education from their third birthday, and must enter compulsory education from the August after their 5th birthday. There is some leeway in the starting date or pupils http://www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk/Startingschool/StartingSchoolForTheFirstTime/StartingSchool.asp.
Education lasts 7 years in the primary school, before pupils move to a secondary school for between 4 and 6 years, the last two being optional.
There is some variation in the phasing of education in more remote areas of Scotland, where provision may be made in a through school, or in other combinations of institutes.
| Year | Ages | School |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery Nursery school A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of one and five years, staffed by suitably qualified and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than simply providing childcare... |
3–5 | |
| Primary One | 4–6 | Primary |
| Primary Two | 5–7 | |
| Primary Three | 6–8 | |
| Primary Four | 7–9 | |
| Primary Five | 8–10 | |
| Primary Six | 9–11 | |
| Primary Seven | 10–12 | |
| First year (or S1) | 11–13 | Secondary Secondary school Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place... |
| Second Year (or S2) | 12–14 | |
| Third Year (or S3) | 13–15 | |
| Fourth Year (or S4) | 14–16 | |
| Fifth Year (or S5) | 15–17 | |
| Sixth Year (or S6) | 16–18 |
United States and Canada
- Main articles: Education in the United StatesEducation in the United StatesEducation in the United States is mainly provided by the public sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: federal, state, and local. Child education is compulsory.Public education is universally available...
, Education in CanadaEducation in CanadaEducation in Canada is for the most part provided publicly, funded and overseen by federal, provincial, and local governments. Education is within provincial jurisdiction and the curriculum is overseen by the province. Education in Canada is generally divided into primary education, followed by...
In Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
(except from the province of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
) and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
the grades traditionally begin at 1 and run to 12; they are referred to by ordinal number (e.g. "third grade") in the United States and by cardinal number ("Grade Three") in Canada. An additional preceding level called Kindergarten
Kindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
is now standard in most areas, and a further preceding level called Preschool education
Preschool education
Preschool education is the provision of learning to children before the commencement of statutory and obligatory education, usually between the ages of zero and three or five, depending on the jurisdiction....
or Nursery school
Nursery school
A nursery school is a school for children between the ages of one and five years, staffed by suitably qualified and other professionals who encourage and supervise educational play rather than simply providing childcare...
is not uncommon. In the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, as well as some parts of the state of Wisconsin, kindergarten is split further into junior and senior kindergarten.
At the secondary school level, grades 9–12 are also known as freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
(or "first-year"), sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
, junior, and senior
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
, especially in the United States. At the post-secondary level (college or university), these terms are used almost exclusively to refer to what would otherwise be grades 13–16, also mainly in the United States. However, at the post-secondary level in Canada, freshman is often called first-year, sophomore as second-year, and so on.
These tables outline the ages, in years, of each grade level. However, students are sometimes older because of grade retention
Grade retention
Grade retention or grade repetition is the process of having a student repeat an educational course, usually one previously failed. Students who repeat a course are referred as "repeaters"...
or younger because of grade skipping
Grade skipping
Grade skipping is a form of academic acceleration, often used for academically talented students, that involves the student entirely skipping the curriculum of one year of school...
.
The Quebec system differs slightly, kindergarten (maternelle) is followed by elementary school (école primaire, from grade one to six), then followed by five years of high school or secondary school (école secondaire). This is typically followed by college
College education in Quebec
College education, College, in the Canadian province of Quebec is the post-secondary level immediately after high-school but required for university admissions...
, a two year pre-university (university for Quebecers is three years, except Engineering), or three year vocational program program taken after high school. (see Education in Quebec
Education in Québec
The Quebec education system is governed by the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport . It is administered at the local level by publicly elected French and English school boards...
)
Elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
: (sometimes includes grade 5 or 6, and sometimes goes up to grade 8)
| U.S. Grade | Ages | Canadian Grade |
|---|---|---|
| kindergarten Kindergarten A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school... |
5–6 | kindergarten Kindergarten A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school... |
| first grade First grade First grade is a year of primary education in schools in the United States and English-speaking provinces of Canada. It is the first school year after kindergarten... |
6–7 | Grade 1 |
| second grade Second grade In the United States, second grade is a year of primary education. Second grade is the second school year after kindergarten. Students are traditionally 7–8 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs.... |
7–8 | Grade 2 |
| third grade Third grade In the United States, third grade is a year of primary education. It is the third school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 8 – 9 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs.... |
8–9 | Grade 3 |
| fourth grade Fourth grade Fourth grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The fourth grade is the fourth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 9 or 10 years old, depending on their birthday. It is a part of elementary school. In some parts of the United States, fourth grade... |
9–10 | Grade 4 |
| fifth grade Fifth grade Fifth grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The fifth grade is the fifth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 10 – 11 years old, and are preteens... |
10–11 | Grade 5 |
Middle school
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
: (variations: grade 5–6, grade 6–8, grade 5–8, grade 5–9, grade 6–9, grade 7–8, grade 7-9; sometimes called Junior High)
| U.S. Grade | Ages | Canadian Grade |
|---|---|---|
| sixth grade Sixth grade Sixth grade is a year of education in the United States and some other nations. The sixth grade is the sixth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 11 – 12 years old... |
11–12 | Grade 6 |
| seventh grade Seventh grade Seventh grade is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The seventh grade is the seventh school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 12–13 years old. Traditionally, seventh grade was the next-to-last year of elementary school... |
12–13 | Grade 7 |
| eighth grade Eighth grade Eighth grade is a year of education in the United States, Canada, Australia and other nations. Students are usually 13 - 14 years old. The eighth grade is typically the final grade before high school, and the ninth grade of public and private education, following kindergarten and subsequent grades... |
13–14 | Grade 8 |
High school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
:
| U.S. Grade | Ages | Canadian Grade |
|---|---|---|
| ninth grade Ninth grade Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 13 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday occurs. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school.... , freshman |
14–15 | Grade 9 |
| tenth grade Tenth grade In majority of the world,Tenth grade is the tenth year of school post-kindergarten. The variants of "10th grade" in various nations is described below.-Australia:... , sophomore |
15–16 | Grade 10 |
| eleventh grade, junior | 16–17 | Grade 11 |
| twelfth grade, senior | 17–18 | Grade 12 |
College
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
:
| U.S. Grade | Ages | Canadian level |
|---|---|---|
| freshman | 18-19 | freshman or "first year" |
| sophomore | 19-20 | sophomore or "second year" |
| junior | 20-21 | junior or "third year" |
| senior | 21-22 | senior or "forth year" |
Children typically start school at age five or six. Also, some areas use junior high school, typically grades 7–8 or 9, instead of middle school. The grade configurations vary from school to school and district to district in the United States and Canada. The most common grade configuration in the United States currently is K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 but many other configurations exist.
See also
- Education by country
- United Nations Human Development IndexEducation IndexThis article contains information based on the pre-2010 Human Development Reports. The HDI and its education component have changed in 2010.The United Nations publishes a Human Development Index every year, which consists of the Education index, GDP Index and Life Expectancy Index...