The American system of secondary education
Elementary school. Elementary schools are usually attended by children at the age of 5. Grade 0 is called kindergarten, and elementary education continues for six more years after that. Almost all subjects are taught by a single teacher, and the main subjects are arithmetic and English, regional history, natural science, and a simple format.
Secondary school. At the age of 11-12, children attend secondary school, which runs from grade 6 to grade 8. Several additional subjects are added to the compulsory subjects to choose from.
Middle School. In grades 9-12, teens are preparing for college and choose almost all of their own subjects, depending on what they want to do after school and what career they want to pursue. High school students often apply to vocational programs to help them get an initial vocational education.
The basic 12-year school program is called a high school diploma. After his, graduates prepare to enter college. In American schools, the international program International Baccalaureate is also taught - with its diploma you can enter a university in any English-speaking country.
Graduates can also stay in school for an additional year to take a college preparatory course, which is an advanced program that provides an advantage when entering college.
Characteristics of U.S. Secondary Education
In each of the 50 U.S. states, the work of the schools is controlled by their own boards, so secondary education in the U.S. has its own characteristics in different states. However, there are also common points.
How do American schools differ from foreign schools?
-
The duration of education is 12-13 years.
-
100-point rating scale or letter system (A - the best score, D - the worst score).
-
Specialization and individual schedule of each high school student.
-
Special attention to physical development and extracurricular activities.
-
Continuity between school and college.
Americans can attend public schools, private day schools and boarding schools. Foreigners can only attend public schools for one year, so children from abroad can only be sent to private schools for long-term education. Often, parents choose a boarding apartment where the student lives in the area.
Cost of Education
The cost of secondary education in the United States depends on the ranking of the school, state, prestige, and history. On average, the cost of a year of study ranges from $40,000 to $70,000. This cost includes not only tuition, housing and meals, but also extracurricular activities and clubs, study materials, English courses for foreigners, and final exam preparation.
Top 10 Best Schools in USA
-
Phillips Exeter Academy
Phillips Exeter Academy was founded in 1781 by Dr. John Phillips and his wife, Elizabeth. It is part of the G20 group of schools - an international association of 50 of the best high schools from 20 countries around the world. A distinctive feature of the Academy is the work according to The Harkness Method, which was first used here: classes of students work at a round table rather than at separate tables. The school nurtures students' individuality and independence, instills self-confidence and helps develop personal qualities and academic skills.
The School changes students' lives: the experience gained within these walls serves them more than once in their adult careers, leading them to the best universities and to leading positions in some of the most powerful companies in the world. Among its graduates are dozens of well-known politicians, scientists, athletes, artists and entrepreneurs. The college has also produced two Nobel Prize winners in economics.
-
Phillips Academy
Phillips Andover Academy is simultaneously ranked among the top boarding schools in the United States in several areas. Based on average student SAT scores, number of students, number of physical education subjects, number of AP courses, student clubs, and difficulty of admission. The educational institution is also one of the oldest schools in the United States - it was founded in 1778.
For three years, Phillips Andover Academy graduates have successfully entered the best universities in the United States, including Yale University, Boston University, Columbia University, Princeton University, and many others. The school can also boast a list of students who have achieved distinction in all areas of society. Alumni include U.S. Presidents George W. Bush and George W. Bush, Facebook co-founder Christopher Hughes, and New York Central Park designer Frederick Law Olmsted, as well as famous actors, poets, and public figures.
-
The Putney School
The Putney School offers educational programs for students from all over the world, grades 9-12. Today, the school is known for its maximum attention to innovation and novelty in the world of education and the continuous modernization of the educational process, improvement of methods and materials.
The comprehensive and holistic development of students is one of the main focuses of the school's work. Here, high school students seek not only academic education, but also moral and spiritual education, developing them in the creative and athletic fields, stimulating activity and the expression of initiative, instilling in schoolchildren a desire for learning and self-improvement. Students are constantly involved in the administration of Putney School - this forms a responsible social personality, fosters independence and good upbringing, and respect for others.
-
Church Farm School
CFS is a boarding and day school for talented boys in grades 9 through 12. CFS offers a rigorous college preparatory program in an intimate setting with a total enrollment of less than 200 students and an average class size of 10 students.
The program offers many advanced placement and honors courses designed to prepare Church Farm School students for admission to the best colleges and universities. Church Farm School curriculum incorporates technology, with each student having their own MacBook and Internet access in every classroom and dormitory. Instruction is led by experienced faculty with an average tenure of more than 15 years, 70% of whom hold advanced degrees; most live within a five-minute radius of campus. However, education at CFS is not limited to the traditional classroom. Students take equally important classes on the athletic fields of Church Farm School intercollegiate sports and music programs, as well as advanced courses in choir, jazz, and music history and theory.
-
Episcopal High School
At Episcopal, all students board in approximately 29 states and 20 different countries. Experienced teachers, small class sizes (11 on average), 62 advanced courses and integrated technology (with laptop programs) support the pursuit of academic excellence. Highlights include an extensive arts and athletics program; frequent study in Washington, D.C. (10 minutes away), including advanced internships; study abroad opportunities; and spiritual and ethical education with one of the nation's oldest honor codes. Episcopal High School 130-acre campus includes new science, arts and athletic centers.
-
St. Paul's School
St. Paul's School opened its doors to students in the 16th century - 1509. Sir John Colet founded this educational institution on the banks of the River Thames in the beautiful Richmond district in the southwest of the English capital. Along with a number of other schools, St. Paul's School is one of the nine oldest educational institutions in England, known for its centuries-old tradition and its constantly modernizing educational process.
The school got its name from St. Paul's Cathedral in London, because even within the cathedral, an educational institution has been operating since the early 12th century. In the early 16th century, the church school closed and was replaced by the school of the same name. Colette's vast wealth, which was used to open St. Paul's School, and the power invested in it, made it possible to create the largest and richest school in England at the time. Interestingly, education at St. Paul's was initially completely free of charge, and academic ability became the main criterion for selecting students. At the same time, the salary of the principal of the school exceeded even the salaries of the heads of some British universities.
-
Asheville School
Asheville College is the leading private school in the UK. It was founded by the United Methodist Free Church in 1877 and was originally an exclusive school for boys before girls began studying here in 1982. The school is the oldest in Harrogate, but it strives to keep up with the times while maintaining its traditions.
At Asheville College, students demonstrate high academic achievement and individual plans are developed for each student to reach their full potential. Great attention is paid to the intellectual and personal development of students: at the school, children are taught to adapt to life in a rapidly changing world, they are raised to be hardworking and purposeful, and they pay attention to each individual's inclinations and talents students.
-
Shattuck St. Mary's School
Shattuck-St. St. Mary's School is an educational institution that was founded in 1858 as the Episcopal Mission School. It was named after Dr. Cheney Shattock, and with his active involvement, the spacious Shattuck Hall campus was built in 1866 and is still in use today. Around the same time, St. Mary's Hall for Girls, which later became part of Shattuck-St. Mary's School, which currently houses grades 6-9 of the educational institution.
Shattuck-St. Mary's School is a small school whose student population, even considering the division into two campuses, does not exceed 500 students. The average class size is no more than 12 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 9:1.
Its main mission is to see the child not only succeed academically at Shattuck-St. Mary's School, but also to see him prepared for the realities of life outside of school. For this reason, starting in middle school, students are taught to make choices - to choose the most interesting courses, creative and physical activities, additional activities.
-
St. Andrews School
The popular St Andrews School boarding school is designed for high school students aged 15-18 (grades 9-12) who are preparing to enter college. At St. Andrews School, they not only receive a balanced, strong and in-depth academic program led by expert teachers, but also the widest range of opportunities for personal development outside the classroom - and it's all practically on the Atlantic coast, in sunny Florida.
In 2011, St Andrews School became a member of Round Square International. Students grow up independent, responsible, independent and motivated to pursue high achievement, they are taught honor and honesty, and they instill respect for any nationality, race, culture and religion through personal example.
-
Thatcher School
Thatcher School was founded by Sherman Day Thatcher in the 19th century. According to the official account, Thatcher came to Petra House Ranch for his brother, but was overwhelmed by the beauty and serenity of the place and stayed forever. The key turning point in the establishment of the school was the son of one of Thatcher's friends, who had to be prepared for admission to the prestigious Yale University.
As a result, Thacher created an American school that was fully in keeping with his beloved English heritage - today, Thacher School embodies the spirit of the classic English boarding house: both in terms of architecture and landscape, and in its educational approach and curriculum structure. The government does not forget the physical development of schoolchildren, the creative electives and courses, the education of tasteful aesthetics and the desire for self-education. There are still many lessons that take place outdoors: for example, historically schoolchildren have been very concerned with equestrian sports, caring for horses independently against the backdrop of picturesque mountains.