Your child's education in the US, without the jargon
Whether you are in the US or the UK, here is what you need to know to help your child at home with confidence. This is the plain-English guide to how American schools work, and the practical help you can give tonight.
Elementary, middle and high school
American schooling runs from kindergarten to Grade 12. Districts vary a little, but this is the shape of it.
Elementary school
Kindergarten through Grade 5 (roughly ages 5 to 11). The foundation years: reading, writing and math, mostly with one main teacher.
Middle school
Grades 6 to 8 (roughly ages 11 to 14). Children move between subject teachers and start to specialize. Some districts call this junior high.
High school
Grades 9 to 12 (roughly ages 14 to 18), known as freshman, sophomore, junior and senior year. Grades build into a GPA that colleges look at.
The tests parents ask about most
From state tests in the early years to the SAT and ACT for college, here is what each one is actually for.
State tests
Each state runs its own standardized tests, often aligned to Common Core, to check progress. They are for the school and state, not a pass or fail for your child.
The SAT and ACT
College admissions tests taken in high school. Many colleges are now test-optional, so check each college. The PSAT is the practice run and a scholarship qualifier.
AP and honors
Advanced Placement and honors classes are harder courses that can earn college credit. Strong AP results can lift a college application.
Public, charter, magnet, private or homeschool
Five routes, five different ways in. Here is what each one means in plain terms.
Public school
Free, funded by the district and open to children in its zone. Where most American children go.
Charter school
Public and free, but run independently with more freedom over how they teach. Places are often decided by a lottery when oversubscribed.
Magnet school
Public and free, built around a specialty such as STEM or the arts. Often selective, with entry by test, audition or lottery.
Private school
Fee-paying and independent, including many religious schools. Financial aid and scholarships are common, so ask before ruling fees out.
Homeschool
Teaching at home, which is legal in every state under rules that vary by state. A growing choice, often built around online curricula.
Help that works wherever your child goes to school
Math and reading are the same the world over. These are ready for you today, whichever country you are in.
Types of US schools
Public, charter, magnet, private and more, what each means, what it costs and how your child gets a place.
Compare school typesTests and exams explained
SAT, ACT, AP, state tests and private-school entrance exams, what they are, who takes them and when.
Understand the testsFree study guides
Step-by-step guides for the kitchen table: times tables, fractions, percentages, telling the time, phonics and more.
Browse the guidesA tutorial for your child
Tell us the grade, subject and topic, and get a ready-to-run lesson aligned to Common Core and your state standards.
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