History of Americans Schools Handout
History of Americans Schools Handout
History of Americans Schools Handout
Preschool
There are no mandatory public prekindergarten or crèche programs in the United States.
The federal government funds the Head Start preschool program for children of low-income
families. Head Start provides education, health and social services to families with the goal
of ensuring the children are ready to start school. Other families are on their own with
regard to finding a preschool or childcare.
Elementary School
Elementary school includes kindergarten through fifth grade. In elementary school, basic
subjects are taught, and students often remain in one or two classrooms throughout the
school day, with the exceptions of physical education, library, music, and art classes.
Secondary Education
Middle school and Junior high school include the grade levels intermediate between
elementary school and senior high school. "Middle school" usually includes sixth, seventh
and eighth grade; "Junior high" typically includes seventh through ninth grade. At this time,
students are given more independence, moving to different classrooms for different
subjects, and being allowed to choose some of their class subjects (electives).
Senior high school is a school attended after junior high school. High school usually runs
either from 9th through 12th, or 10th through 12th grade. The students in these grades are
commonly referred to as freshmen (grade 9), sophomores (grade 10), juniors (grade 11) and
seniors (grade 12).
Students are required to take a certain minimum number of mandatory subjects, but may
choose additional subjects ("electives") to fill out their required hours of learning.
Grading scale
In schools in the United States children are continually assessed throughout the school year
by their teachers, and report cards are given to parents. The total percent can be translated
to a letter grade. Although grading scales usually differ from school to school, the most
common grade scale is letter grades—"A" through "F"—derived from a scale of 0–100
precent.
Extracurricular activities
A major characteristic of American schools is the high priority given to sports, clubs and
activities by the community, the parents, the schools and the students themselves.
Extracurricular activities are educational activities not falling within the scope of the regular
curriculum but under the supervision of the school.
Sports programs and their related games are major events for American students and for
larger schools can be a major source of funds for school districts. And there is also the
cheerleading, thats an organized group of people cheering especially football games. In
addition to sports, numerous non-athletic activities are available in American schools, both
public and private.
Another famous activity each year in American High Schools is the Prom. It's a formal dance
of high school students. At prom, a Prom Queen and Prom King may be revealed.
1) In America dress codes are required. <-> In the UK classic uniforms are required.
2) In America a public school is a state school. <-> In the UK a public school is an
independent school.
3) In the UK the education is compulsory from the age of 5 to 18. <-> In America it
varies between the states.
4) In America the education is divided into three levels. <-> In the UK it is divided into
two levels
5) In America there are 5 compulsory courses. <-> In the UK there are 12 compulsory
courses.
6) In America school starts earlier and there is only a lunch break. <-> In the UK school
starts later and there are 2 breaks.
Glossary
Mandatory = obligatory, said about something you must do.
To assess: to estimate or judge the value, character or evaluate.
Extracurricular: outside the regular class or program of courses.
Fair: an exhibition to promote particular products.
Sophomore: a student in the second year of high school or college.
To ensure = to certify, to take care that something happens.
To require = to demand, to say what you want that happens and you accept only ‘yes’ as answer.
Approximately = about, something like, said when you don’t know the exact number.