"How many years?" he asked, wanting to know if a U.S. high school degree is equivalent to his Colombian "bachillerato" degree. It was the perfect opportunity to do something we've been wanting to do for a while: publish a definitive list of all the levels of a U.S. education.
So here it is; every school you would attend in America, from the age of 2 until you retire.
1) Nursery School - Optional
Typical ages:
2-5
Might also be called:
Preschool
Pre-K
Montessori
Creative Commons photo by James Fleeting
Photo: James Fleeting
Typical ages:
5-6
Creative Commons photo by MaST Charter
Photo: MaST Charter
1st grade – 5th grade (sometimes 6th grade)
Typical ages:
6-11 (sometimes 12)
Creative Commons photo by Judy Baxter
Photo: Judy Baxter
6th grade – 8th grade
Typical ages:
11-14
Might also be called:
Junior high (grades 7-9)
Creative Commons photo by Matt Bennett/Governor Duval Patrick
Photo: Matt Bennett/Governor Duval Patrick's Office
9th grade – 12th grade
Typical ages:
14-18
Video: "Prehistoric Duck"
Can be:
Community College (2 years)
Might also be called:
Junior college
Technical college
Degree earned: Associate’s
College (4 years)A school attended for college might be called:
College (ex: Kenyon College)
University (ex: Princeton University)
Institute (ex: Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Degree earned: Bachelor’s
Mount Holyoke College Library
Mount Holyoke College library
Might also be called:
Post-graduate
Degree earned: Master’s or Doctorate
Working in the GWU library (Photo: Chris Wong)
Photo: Chris Wong
Do you have a word to contribute to our Glossary of Confusing Words? Share words that have confused you or that might confuse others about studying in the U.S. Leave your suggestions in the comments, or use the form below.