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Published:
2021-03-29
Updated:
2021-03-30
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Everything You Need to Know About the American Education System

Summary:

A Guide to the American Education System...
and how to correctly identify the levels of education in America

This will be divided into chapters based on the grade grouping system in America: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Undergraduate, Graduate, Continuing Education, and Apprenticeship. In addition, there will also be a section on staff and titles given to educators.

Notes:

Hello!

I have created this guide to assist in all matters of American Education. It might not be complete, or you might have further questions, in which case, I am open to all communications!

There are many fandoms that are set in America, Teen Wolf for example. Throughout many of the stories I've read, I have noticed a distinct lack of awareness of the American Education System. Whether it be written by someone located outside of the U.S. or someone within who's not quite old enough to understand every aspect.

I hope that by creating this guide, it assists in the continuity of the fandoms, and maybe it even serves as a learning opportunity! I know I would appreciate a European Education System guide! Because I know absolutely nothing about the European education system.

Anyway, I hope this helps, and if someone reads this and knows of a fandom that I have not listed that could use this, let me know and I will add it!

~Curiosity

Chapter 1: Elementary School

Chapter Text

Elementary School

  1. Kindergarten
    • Known as "Kindergarteners"
    • Typically age 5-6 years old
    • Required attendance depends on the State
      • There are 20 States that require kindergarten attendance
        • Arkansas
        • Connecticut
        • Delaware
        • District of Columbia
        • Hawaii
        • Louisiana
        • Maryland
        • Montana
        • Nebraska
        • Nevada
        • New Mexico
        • Ohio
        • Oklahoma
        • Rhode Island
        • South Carolina
        • South Dakota
        • Tennessee
        • Virginia
        • West Virginia
        • Wisconsin
    • There is a cut-off for ages. For the most part, a child must be 5 years of age on or before August 1st to enter that year's class. Specific dates vary from state to state.
    • Grading System
      • E = Excellent
      • S+ = Above Satisfactory
      • S = Satisfactory
      • N = Needs Improvement
      • U = Unsatisfactory
  2. First Grade
    • Known as "First Graders"
    • Typically age 6-7
    • Required Attendance in Every State, as is every grade after (unless a child tests out of a grade, which means they are functioning at a higher level of measurable intelligence than their age group. This is known as 'skipping a grade'. In the end, it is entirely the parent or guardian's decision on whether a child 'skips a grade' or not.)
    • Grading System
      • E = Excellent
      • S+ = Above Satisfactory
      • S = Satisfactory
      • N = Needs Improvement
      • U = Unsatisfactory
  3. Second Grade
    • Known as "Second Graders"
    • Typically age 7-8
    • Grading System
      • E = Excellent
      • S+ = Above Satisfactory
      • S = Satisfactory
      • N = Needs Improvement
      • U = Unsatisfactory
  4. Third Grade
    • Known as "Third Graders"
    • Typically age 8-9
    • Grading System
      • A   = 90-100% (Outstanding)
      • B+ = 87-89% (Above Average)
      • B   = 80-86% (Above Average)
      • C+= 77-79% (Above Average<but only barely>)
      • C   =70-76% (Average)
      • D+=67-69% (Below Average)
      • D  = 60-66% (Lowest Acceptable)
      • F   =   0-59% (Failure)
  5. Fourth Grade
    • Known as "Fourth Graders"
    • Typically age 9-10
    • Grading System
      • A   = 90-100% (Outstanding)
      • B+ = 87-89% (Above Average)
      • B   = 80-86% (Above Average)
      • C+= 77-79% (Above Average<but only barely>)
      • C   =70-76% (Average)
      • D+=67-69% (Below Average)
      • D  = 60-66% (Lowest Acceptable)
      • F   =   0-59% (Failure)
  6. Fifth Grade
    • Known as "Fifth Graders"
    • Typically age 10-11
    • Grading System
      • A   = 90-100% (Outstanding)
      • B+ = 87-89% (Above Average)
      • B   = 80-86% (Above Average)
      • C+= 77-79% (Above Average<but only barely>)
      • C   =70-76% (Average)
      • D+=67-69% (Below Average)
      • D  = 60-66% (Lowest Acceptable)
      • F   =   0-59% (Failure)

 

So in America, Elementary School is only encompassed by grades K-5. The cut-off date you saw in Kindergarten applies to all grades, but generally, after the first cut-off date (a.k.a the cut-off for kindergarten) children don't deviate from the grade they were put in. On occasion, children can "skip grades", but for the most part, if you were old enough for kindergarten at the time your parents signed you up, you stay with that class until you graduate high school.

The grading system changes depending on the grade you are in. In grades K-2, children aren't really learning quantifiable things. They are more focused on motor skills and learning correct language skills. There is occasionally some basic math dropped in here or there, but that is put there mostly to introduce the idea of math to children, not grade them on knowledge of the Pythagorean theorem. Because of this, the grading scale is designed to reflect the child's development rather than their quantifiable knowledge.

You'll typically see classes like art, music, reading, writing, and gym in grades K-2. Beyond these grades, you start to see more math and science-based classes. 

 

If you feel like I missed something, was incorrect about something, or left out an important detail, please let me know!

Chapter 2: Middle School

Summary:

Middle School: Grades 6-8

Chapter Text

Middle School

  1. Sixth Grade
    • Known as "Sixth Graders"
    • Known Collectively along with Seventh and Eighth Graders as "Middle Schoolers"
    • Typically age 11-12
    • Grading System
      • A = 90-100%
      • B = 80-89%
      • C = 70-79%
      • D = 60-69%
      • F =   0-59%
  2. Seventh Grade
    • Known as "Seventh Graders"
    • Known Collectively along with Sixth and Eighth Graders as "Middle Schoolers"
    • Typically age 12-13
    • Grading System
      • A = 90-100%
      • B = 80-89%
      • C = 70-79%
      • D = 60-69%
      • F =   0-59%
  3. Eighth Grade
    • Known as "Eighth Graders"
    • Known Collectively along with Sixth and Seventh Graders as "Middle Schoolers"
    • Typically age 13-14
    • Grading System
      • A = 90-100%
      • B = 80-89%
      • C = 70-79%
      • D = 60-69%
      • F =   0-59%

 

Middle School is often quoted as "the worst years of my life". Located right on the cusp of easily made childhood friendships and the new formation of cliques, Middle school is a period of discovery and separation. Many school districts across America separate their students by grade level. K-5 in one building, 6-8 in another, and 9-12 in the high school. 

Accompanying this transition of buildings is more often than not, the separation of students into different "homerooms". Within a grade level, the students, depending on how large the school is, may be separated into different classes. My youngest sister is currently going through this process, and as the oldest, it pains me to relive my middle school years vicariously through her. One of the most dramatic conversations we've ever had was when she discovered that she wasn't placed in the same class as her BFF. In her school district, there are 5 elementary schools, and all of the students join together for the first time in the middle school building. Because of this max influx of students, the 6th grade is separated into different classes, oftentimes, randomly, with a little bit of "get to know someone new" sprinkled in there. In some districts, there is an algorithm that separates the students from each school evenly among the different classes, so that there is "more opportunity for new friendships to form". (Or so the staff tells us...highly doubtful)

Due to the separation, many of the friendships formed on the playground end, or simply weaken to the point of almost non-existence. It can be a very traumatic time for a child who has difficulty adjusting to change. This is also often the time when puberty begins. So in case you are wondering, these students have now faced many changes, including,

  • Buildings
  • Classmates
  • Friends
  • PUBERTY (This is a big one)
  • Bus Routes
  • Schedules (Both Class Schedules and Life Schedules)

Putting all of this together kind of creates a mess. Also! Did I forget to mention that in many school districts, elementary students' day starts either at 8:00 AM or after? That changes in middle school in an effort to prepare students for high school. So middle schoolers, in addition to the previous changes, have to suddenly get up even earlier than they're used to. Before they could get up at 7:30 no problem. Now, many of them start classes at 7:30. 

So yeah. Middle School sucks for many students and is often credited with being the worst years of someone's life. 

 

Any Questions? Feel Free to Comment!

Chapter 3: High School

Summary:

High School: Grades 9-12

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

High School

1. Ninth Grade

  • Known Primarily as "Freshmen" and Secondarily as "Ninth Graders"
  • Collectively along with sophomores are known as "Underclassmen"
  • Typically age 14-15 
  • Grading Scale

Letter Grade

Percentage

Non-weighted
Quality Points

Weighted
Quality Points
A 93-100% 4.00 5.00
A- 90-92% 3.67 4.67
B+ 87-89% 3.33 4.33
B 83-86% 3.00 4.00
B- 80-82% 2.67 3.67
C+ 77-79% 2.33 3.33
C 73-76% 2.00 3.00
C- 70-72% 1.67 2.67
D+ 67-69% 1.33 2.33
D 63-66% 1.00 2.00
D- 60-62% .67 1.67
F 50-59% 0 0
I 0-49%
(or has not completed work for class)		 No input No input

2. Tenth Grade

  • Known Primarily as "Sophomores" and Secondarily as "Tenth Graders"
  • Collectively along with freshmen are known as "Underclassmen"
  • Typically age 15-16 
  • Grading Scale

 

Letter Grade

Percentage

Non-weighted
Quality Points

Weighted
Quality Points
A 93-100% 4.00 5.00
A- 90-92% 3.67 4.67
B+ 87-89% 3.33 4.33
B 83-86% 3.00 4.00
B- 80-82% 2.67 3.67
C+ 77-79% 2.33 3.33
C 73-76% 2.00 3.00
C- 70-72% 1.67 2.67
D+ 67-69% 1.33 2.33
D 63-66% 1.00 2.00
D- 60-62% .67 1.67
F 50-59% 0 0
I 0-49%
(or has not completed work for class)		 No input No input

3. Eleventh Grade

  • Known as "Juniors" (You might be looked at funny if you call them eleventh graders)
  • Collectively along with seniors are known as "Upperclassmen"
  • Typically age 16-17
  • Grading Scale

 

Letter Grade

Percentage

Non-weighted
Quality Points

Weighted
Quality Points
A 93-100% 4.00 5.00
A- 90-92% 3.67 4.67
B+ 87-89% 3.33 4.33
B 83-86% 3.00 4.00
B- 80-82% 2.67 3.67
C+ 77-79% 2.33 3.33
C 73-76% 2.00 3.00
C- 70-72% 1.67 2.67
D+ 67-69% 1.33 2.33
D 63-66% 1.00 2.00
D- 60-62% .67 1.67
F 50-59% 0 0
I 0-49%
(or has not completed work for class)		 No input No input

4. Twelfth Grade

  • Known as "Seniors" (I've never heard someone that wasn't in kindergarten call them twelfth graders)
  • Collectively along with juniors are known as "Upperclassmen"
  • Typically age 17-18
  • Grading Scale

 

Letter Grade

Percentage

Non-weighted
Quality Points

Weighted
Quality Points
A 93-100% 4.00 5.00
A- 90-92% 3.67 4.67
B+ 87-89% 3.33 4.33
B 83-86% 3.00 4.00
B- 80-82% 2.67 3.67
C+ 77-79% 2.33 3.33
C 73-76% 2.00 3.00
C- 70-72% 1.67 2.67
D+ 67-69% 1.33 2.33
D 63-66% 1.00 2.00
D- 60-62% .67 1.67
F 50-59% 0 0
I 0-49%
(or has not completed work for class)		 No input No input

 

When students enter high school, they can take what is known as "AP" courses. It stands for Advanced Placement. So instead of taking a regular chemistry class, a student can request to take AP Chemistry instead. In many districts, this counts as a college-level course. Some districts have rules saying that if a teacher has less than a master's degree in the subject they are teaching, even if the coursework is the same as college-level classes, the credit does not count.

Now! Weighted vs. Non-Weighted.

A regular high school class, so in the example before Chemistry, is graded on a 4.0 scale. This means that a grade of 'A' in the class will earn them 4 quality points. If a student were to take AP Chemistry, because of the level of difficulty, it would be graded on a 5.0 scale. This means that an 'A' would earn them 5 quality points.

When someone says they have a 4.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) it means they have achieved a grade of 'A' in every class they have taken, and have not taken any AP classes.

So say you have 4 classes, and you earn A, B, C, and D letter grades. All of the classes are regular classes, so the A is worth 4 points, the B is worth 3, the C is worth 2, and the D is worth 1. You add all of these points up 4+3+2+1=10 and then divide this sum by the number of classes you took: 10÷4=2.5 so your GPA would be 2.5 This is like saying that you are a C+ student, meaning on average, you score a C+ in your classes, which is equivalent to a 77-79% percent grade.

If let's say, the class you earned a B in was an AP course, instead of being worth 3 points, it's now worth 4. So you would add 4+4+2+1=11 then divide by the number of classes, so 11÷4=2.75 so your GPA is 2.75

By taking more advanced classes, high school students have the ability to achieve above a 4.0 GPA, and in some instances, earning a good grade in an AP class can make up for not doing so well in a regular one.

Disclaimer: Not all school districts participate in a weighted grading system. For a school to participate, they have to have a qualified college or university sponsoring the advanced classes.

One thing I should mention! If a student takes an AP class, that begins their college transcript. That means that when they enter a college/university, they will already have an established GPA.
The danger of this is, if you fail an AP class, or don't do well in it, that will be on your college transcript as well. The thing about that is, college GPAs are also on a 4.0 scale, so while a grade of B might count as a 4 in high school, the same grade will count as a 3 on your college transcript!

Notes:

Super Tired rn. I am going to continue updating tomorrow.

~Finally Updated on 12/3/2021~