What schools are there in America? School education in the USA. Schools in America for Russians

In the last article we got acquainted with. This article will tell you about secondary education in the States. Namely, what documents are needed, what methods exist to get into such a school and much more, read below.

general information

The academic year in an American school is divided into two semesters. A school day can last up to 6 hours, including a lunch break, each lesson lasts 25 minutes (one module or block).

The school day lasts until 14:40, and begins differently for each school (more on this below).

A child can get to school either with the help of a free school bus or with a student brought by his parents.

Children spend holidays such as Christmas or Easter, as well as summer holidays, at home.

American schools pay enough attention to physical development, so students have the opportunity to additionally engage in swimming, basketball, tennis, golf, etc. Competitions between city and regional schools are required.

During the entire period of study, schools are required to host extensive cultural events and programs.

For an additional fee, there are “extended hours” where your child will be played educational games or helped with homework.

There are always police officers on duty at the school before the start of the school day and at the end. Additionally, in the mornings and at the end of the school day, school staff go to intersections and, as traffic controllers, help students cross the road.

Choose a school you can based on its rating, which is in the public domain, and is determined based on the students’ results at the end of school.

Documents for admission:

• Visa;
• Medical certificate in English (translated), as well as information about the last medical examination;
• Results of English testing and interviews;
• Some schools may also require a transcript or report card with grades for the last 1-3 years, as well as a recommendation from an English teacher.

Knowledge of English

Any student, upon admission to either a private or a municipal school, must pass an English language test. If a child does not speak the language well, he may be transferred to a preparatory class, in which such gaps will be actively made up.

Structure:

School curricula may differ from state to state because America does not have a uniform curriculum. By the way, all schools are located separately from each other.

After graduating from grades 9, 10, 11, the student has the right to go to a technical school, thus, in addition to the general education program, the teenager already has the opportunity to obtain any specialty (designer, teacher in a preschool institution, electrical mechanics, etc.)

• Zero grade (preschool kindergarten). Age 5-6 years.
• Primary School(Primery or Elementary School). Grades 1 to 5, ages 6-11 years. Lessons start at 08:40.

Before the start of the school year, all children take an IQ test. Based on this test, children are divided into several groups depending on their abilities. Upon reaching third grade, each child is tested annually. There are classes for children with better academic performance, where subjects are studied in more depth and vice versa. Until the fifth grade, children are allowed to move around the classroom, or even conduct a circle in the open air, and then they are asked to write an essay about a leaf from a tree or a beetle on a tree. Actually, this approach is one of the differences between American schools.

Most subjects are taught by one teacher, with the exception of fine arts, music and physical education. As a rule, writing, reading, natural and social sciences, and arithmetic are studied.

• Averageschool(Middle School orJunior High). Grades 6 to 8, ages 11-12 to 14 years. Lessons start at 08:00.

By the fifth grade, all children sit at single desks, and lessons already look familiar to us. In American schools, there are compulsory subjects (mathematics, English, science, physical education, social studies and art studies) and elective subjects (each school has different elective subjects, for example, journalism, theater arts, rhetoric). Each subject is taught by a separate teacher.

By the way, every year, children are assigned to new classes, so each subsequent year, students study in a new group.

• High School. Classes from 9 to 12 grades, age from 15 to 18 years. Lessons start at 07:30.

Students are given even more freedom to choose what subjects to study. Thus, each student studies according to a program chosen by him. That is, total attendance is checked every morning, after which the students go to the required classes.

Also, high school students can choose additional subjects in an in-depth course.

But in order for a student to be awarded a certificate of completion, there is a certain list of subjects that he must learn and successfully pass.

By the way, in college, as you know, you have to pay for each course you take. But not everyone knows that some subjects studied in school can be the same in college. Therefore, a student can pass such additional subjects with excellent marks after graduating from school and no longer study them in college in the future.

Schoolchildren study on a 100-point scale, where points have letter values, namely:

How to get to school

There are three ways to enroll in an American school:

1. Private school.

Most private schools accept foreign students without any problems. In order to get into such a school, it is enough to contact the school yourself to find out all the details, or contact a private office (intermediary). The approximate cost per year can range from $10,000 (depending on the state and the school itself).

1. Exchange program.

Selection for such a program is usually carried out in several stages: a written exam, testing and an interview. In addition to language knowledge, adaptability is also taken into account during such a competition. After successful selection, the student is given the opportunity to live in an American family and study in a public school.

Today it is considered one of the most progressive in the world. Modern schools in the United States allow students to acquire high-quality knowledge about the planet and society.

Getting an education in schools in this country is a pleasure, because the pedagogy here is based not only on modern trends in American culture, but also on the history of the country. The lessons here will be especially interesting for incoming immigrants.

There are special English language schools in the USA. Language schools help many graduates become philologists. But in any case, the higher the level of language proficiency, the faster a foreigner will be able to join a new team.

Start of education for children

Another distinctive feature of an American-type school is that children enter here not in the 6th year of their life, but in the 5th. Although, it is worth noting the fact that private schools in the USA can accept students at 6 years of age. While for public schools in America the age of the entering child must be 5 years old, even if admission is to a gymnasium.

Admission occurs not in the first, but in the zero class. The first year of a child’s life adapts to new conditions, a different social environment, and this is why grade zero is needed. In his first lessons, he masters the basics of literature, mathematics and language. The child studies at school for 12 years.

A foreign citizen participating in an international exchange program can be admitted to the initial level at an American educational institution. Moreover, it does not matter what type of institution, public or private.

Structure of American education

This country has a three-stage educational system:

1. Elementary education.
2. Average.
3. Senior.

Each of these levels has its own school. They have different levels, number of subjects and unequal curricula. For example, in high school literature is taught more often.

Sports schools in the USA mainly accept older students. In such schools, literature is taught less frequently.

Different specialized institutions have their own tuition fees. For example, medical schools in the United States are considered one of the most expensive. The cost of classes there can reach 55 thousand dollars.

Regardless of the profile of the institution, each of them has its own name.

American charter schools

It is worth noting that the ranking of US schools where foreigners study includes quite a few Russian educational institutions. There is even a school at the Russian Embassy in Washington. Representatives of the Russian Consulate will definitely intervene in the educational process if any difficult or controversial situations arise.

Higher education in the USA does not yet exist for Russians.

Thus, high-quality school education in the United States is available to Russian students.

Elementary education

Primary education classes: from 1 to 5. Children during these years are often taught by 1 teacher. However, there are a number of subjects taught by other teachers, for example, we are talking about music, drawing, physical education, and so on. What children learn:

• Arithmetic.
• Natural Sciences.
• Letter.
• Social Sciences.
• Reading.

Elementary school in the USA has its own specific feature, which is the division of children by ability. How does division occur? Children must pass a test that determines their level of intellectual ability. Based on this testing, separation occurs.

When a child enters 3rd grade, he is asked to undergo such testing annually. If his level of intelligence has changed, then the child will be transferred to those children who are on the same level as him.

In gifted classes, more homework is assigned, instruction covers more aspects, children are given an abundance of information, and so on. But in classes for slow-growing children, there is almost no homework assigned. And studying in such a class is much easier.

Secondary education

High school in the United States aims to educate children from grades 6 to 8. At this stage, all subjects are taught by different teachers. Students study both general disciplines and those they have chosen themselves. Common items include:

• English language.
• Mathematics.
• Social sciencies.
• Physical Culture.
• Natural science, etc.

As for the subjects to choose from, the list is quite large, especially in private educational institutions. In some of them, specialized courses are not much different from those taught in colleges and higher education institutions.

The best American schools offer elective language courses. Students can study French, Chinese, German, Latin, etc.

A feature of this educational period is that schoolchildren annually change their team, as classes are reorganized.

School education in America is aimed at instilling in children self-discipline, responsibility, independent thinking and leadership qualities. Teachers help children develop analytical skills, teach them to make decisions independently, defend their point of view and apply the acquired knowledge in real life. The spirit of freedom is one of the main differences between American educational institutions.

In an American school, children study for 12 years - from 5–6 to 17–18. Each school determines the age of enrollment of foreign students independently. In some cases, children are accepted from the age of 7, but few parents are ready to send their child abroad at this age. Therefore, as a rule, children of middle school age (13–14 years old) or high school age (16 years old) come.

Structure of secondary education in the USA

Academic year:

5 days a week, 6–8 hours with a lunch break

Holidays:

4 days in November for Thanksgiving

3rd week of February

1st week of April

2 months in summer

The American school system includes three main levels. Each level is a completely independent institution, which is located in a separate building. In primary grades, children study compulsory disciplines; in secondary grades, several elective subjects are added to them. In high school, students can choose the disciplines they will need when entering university. There are no homeroom teachers, like classes, in American schools, but each student has a curator who gives recommendations on the choice of subjects, schedule, career guidance and admission to universities.

Elementary School

5–11 years (0–5 grade)

Depending on the state, the primary school structure may have 5 or 6 grades, starting with preparatory school. Children from 5 years old are accepted into the zero (preparatory) grade. Students from other countries may enroll in elementary school if the child lives in the United States with a parent or guardian.

The first two years in an American elementary school there is no strict discipline and serious academicism: children can walk around the classroom, sit on the floor, read bright books and talk while sitting in a circle on the floor. Assignments are offered in free form. For example, after a walk, kids are asked to draw what they saw green; Older children can write a mini-essay about a beetle that crawled up a tree in the school yard. By fifth grade, children move to single desks and lessons become more structured.

In elementary school, the main academic subjects - writing, reading, basic mathematics and the outside world - are taught by one teacher, and other teachers take the children to creative, music and sports lessons.

Middle School

11–14 years old (grades 6–8)

In secondary school, each subject has its own teacher, and students have a certain freedom to choose subjects.

Required disciplines remain mathematics, English, natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy - science), history, physical education and creativity. Students choose 1–2 subjects at their own discretion. Most often this is computer technology, cooking, a foreign language or art.

Also at the middle level it becomes possible to choose a more complex program in the subject. To do this, you need to get an excellent grade in the previous year. From the 7th grade you can take an increased level of complexity in mathematics and English. In the 8th grade there are also natural and social sciences. In classes of increased complexity, a more intensive program with complex tasks and a large amount of information for independent study.

In addition, a credit system is being introduced in secondary schools. For studying 1 subject for 1 year, 5 credits are given, for disciplines that last 1 semester - 2.5 credits. These indicators are then taken into account when entering a university.

High School

14–18 years old (grades 9–12)

In high school, students are given greater freedom to choose subjects and their level of study.

Required blocks:

2 years of mathematics;

4 years of English;

2 years of natural sciences (with laboratory work);

3 years of social sciences;

1 year of physical education;

1 year art course.

Each discipline includes a number of sub-disciplines that the student can take individually or comprehensively: for example, mathematics includes courses in geometry, algebra, trigonometry, principles of analysis, statistics and other sections; the social science group includes US history, world history, political science, psychology, sociology, etc.

Children also choose elective classes:

• foreign languages;

  the basics of a healthy lifestyle;

  basics of doing business;

  oratory skills and others.

In high school, students take tests for admission to universities or colleges (SAT or ACT - tests that test general knowledge in the fields of mathematics, language, logic and critical thinking).

Advanced Placement (AP)

Starting from grade 9, some subjects can be studied more deeply - at the AP level. Most often, children choose the disciplines in which they will specialize at the university.

There are 38 subjects taught at the AP level in the United States. Among them:

art history;

macroeconomics;

microeconomics;

psychology;

music theory;

Latin language;

programming;

Eastern and European cultures.

The results of AR training provide advantages for admission to 90% of universities in the USA, Canada and more than 50 other countries. However, to do this, the exam grade for the selected AP subjects must be above 3.5 out of 5.

In 2014, a new program with an emphasis on research activities appeared - AP Capstone. It consists of two courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.

The most prestigious universities will not consider applicants with a GPA below 4.25, a GPA that cannot be achieved without advanced AP courses.

Types of American Schools

Most children in America receive secondary education in free public schools; there are also private schools; about 3% of students remain homeschooled. Public high schools are open only to children with U.S. citizenship or U.S. residency. Only private schools have special accreditation and can accept foreign students.

Private schools are divided into:

boarding schools;

• parochial.

Also, private schools can be co-educational or separate - for girls and boys.

From the point of view of socialization, preference is given to coeducational schools (they are chosen by 76% of parents). Here children learn to trust members of the opposite sex and work with them as a team, which is important for future university studies and work.

However, students in single-sex schools show better academic results. According to statistics, they are less distracted and spend more time doing independent work, which affects their academic results (81% of children receive scores above average - versus 75% in coeducational schools). In boarding schools for girls, the main emphasis is on the humanities and arts, in schools for boys - on discipline, exact sciences and sports.

Features of US private schools

Private schools make up about 25% of all high schools in the United States. Most of them are small, up to 400 students. Almost all are boarding schools, providing students with not only education, but also accommodation throughout the academic year.

American boarding schools have many advantages:

location in a picturesque area;

high level of student safety;

comfortable living conditions;

quality food;

developed infrastructure (laboratories, sports complexes, theaters);

modern technologies and innovative equipment.

But the main advantage is the high level of education. Statistically, the average SAT score for private school graduates is higher than for public school graduates (1645 versus 1453 in 2016). In addition to studying basic subjects, an important place is given to sports and creativity, cultural education and the development of the child as an individual.

Many private schools focus on one area: for example, Fairmont Private Schools pay special attention to the study of technical and natural sciences; Idyllwild Arts Academy welcomes children who dream of a future in the arts and media.

What are classes like in an American high school?

A typical lesson in the US is a lively lecture where the teacher asks a question and engages students in discussion. Children are taught to independently seek solutions through discussions and debates, and to critically evaluate historical events.

Collaboration is considered one of the most important skills for a future career, so students often work in groups on projects and in class. In computer science classes, for example, teamwork is the main condition: over the course of a year, a group of students of 3–6 people can work on creating a simple application for smartphones. The teacher will always help if something doesn’t work out, or advise you to contact the guys from another group with a similar project to jointly find a solution.

The school pays great attention to physical education and health improvement of children. Each school has an infrastructure that allows you to practice a huge number of sports: from tennis to horse riding. Students choose their favorite sport and practice it 4 days a week. Each semester you can choose a new sport. The boys compete as part of the school team at regional and national championships.

How is performance assessed?

Oral questioning in an American school is very rare. All homework is completed in writing and submitted in class or through your personal account electronically. Sometimes students complete large projects: for example, they come up with and stage plays in a foreign language, prepare arguments for debates on sensitive topics (ecology, foreign policy, medicine, sociology). Often, as a final assignment on a topic, children make a presentation (for example, about the periodic table).

There are no exams in primary school. They appear towards the end of middle school, and occur every six months in high school.

Most often the exam lasts 90 minutes. Most of the tasks are multiple choice problems. There are no special days set aside to prepare for the exams, and the exams themselves take place on several days in a row.

For tests, tests, projects and exams, students receive grades A, B, C, D and F with pluses and minuses added. For example, if a student solved 95% of the problems, then he will be given an A, 90-92% - A-; for 60% of correct answers - D- (satisfactory, pass), and less - F (unsatisfactory, failure).

In most schools, grades are posted in an electronic journal, to which only the student and his parents have access.

Cost of education

The cost of secondary education in the USA depends on the school’s rating, state, prestige, and history. On average, a year of study costs from $40,000 to $70,000. This amount includes not only tuition, room and board, but also extracurricular activities and clubs, study materials, English courses for foreigners and preparation for final exams.

Expert help

To understand all the nuances of school education in America, contact specialists. IQ Consultancy experts with 17 years of experience in the field of foreign education will tell you how to choose a private school and what you need for admission. Specialists will help you prepare documents, accompany your child at all stages and resolve issues that arise during the process.

Secondary and higher education in the USA

There is no unified national education system in the United States; each state determines its structure independently. Education is largely public, controlled and funded at the federal, state, and local levels. The most common system is public schools, except for them the education system includes church and private educational institutions (three thousand privileged private schools) in which about 14% of all students study. America's institutions of higher education are primarily private.

Children in America become schoolchildren between the ages of 5 and 8 and graduate from school between the ages of 14 and 18.

The US education system includes:

• preschool education, where children 3-5 years old study
• primary school (grades 1-8), which educates children aged 6-13 years
• secondary school (grades 9-12) which educates students aged 14-17 years
• educational institutions of the last level of education related to the higher education system

Elementary education

At the age of 5, children go to primary school (Elementary school, Grade school or Grammar school), to grade zero (Kindergarten). Although it is not compulsory in some schools, almost all children go through this stage of education, also called “Preschool”. Depending on the school district, an American student's elementary education ends in fifth or sixth grade.

Secondary education

High school in the USA (Middle school, Junior high school or Intermediate school) is divided into two stages - junior and senior, each lasting three years. Junior high school ends with eighth grade, senior high school is grades nine to twelfth. In most senior secondary schools, students study mathematics (2 years), English (4 years), science (2 years) and social studies (3 years). American children typically graduate from high school around age 18. To receive a high school diploma, graduates need to complete credits in 16 academic courses during the last four years of study.

Colleges: local, technical, urban and elementary education.

Four-year colleges and universities Those who have completed a high school education may enroll in:

• to community colleges
• to technical colleges (Technical College)
• to city colleges (City College)
• to primary colleges (Junior College)

After two years of study, all of them issue a degree (Associate’s Degree) comparable to secondary specialized education. There is another way to continue your education - enroll in colleges or universities, where a four-year course of education ends with a bachelor's degree. To receive it, students must earn a certain number of credits and pass the required exams. Those who have received a bachelor's degree can, again, continue their studies to obtain a master's degree (2-3 years) or a PhD (3 years or more).

Higher education

American higher education is considered one of the best in the world and is usually completed over 4 years of college or university. In the USA, it is customary to call all universities colleges, even when we are talking about universities.

All American universities can be divided into three types. Higher education institutions are divided into colleges and universities based on the availability of research or graduate programs.

Most four-year colleges are small (less than 2,000 students and most are religious) and private. Universities, in turn, are divided into two types: private universities and state universities. The latter, as a rule, are quite large and in many ways inferior to private ones. Private universities include the most famous American universities, such as Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Yale and others. A number of universities and colleges admit students only based on the results of a competition of documents on graduating from high school, but prestigious universities usually arrange competitive selection, since the number of applicants significantly exceeds the possibilities for admission to educational institutions.

Most residents of our country know about the education system in America only from films and books. It’s no secret now that many innovations in our educational system are being borrowed from the USA. In our article we will try to understand what a school in America is, what are its features and differences from our educational institutions.

Differences between American and Russian education

More recently, under Soviet rule, education in the Soviet Union was considered one of the best. Nowadays, our education system is increasingly being compared with the American one. There is a significant difference between them; it is impossible to say which one is better and which one is worse. Each has its pros and cons.

The American education system is more democratic. While in our country almost all schools follow the same curriculum, in the USA there is no single plan. Students attend only a few compulsory disciplines, and everyone chooses the remaining subjects at their own discretion, taking into account personal preferences and the choice of their future profession. We can say that the school in America adheres to it much more than the Russian one.

Another difference between American educational institutions is that in them concepts such as “class” or “classmates” have a completely different meaning. Because all the children studying in one class can hardly be called a team. The American school still involves the creation of teams, but most often this happens in special classes, which, moreover, are chosen by the children themselves.

Compared to our schools, sports activities are the most popular in US institutions; there is practically not a single institution for children that does not have a well-equipped gym, swimming pool and stadium.

A school in America is not a single building, like in our country. More like a student town with several buildings. Its territory must be additionally equipped with:

• Assembly halls for holding various events.
• Gym.
• A big library.
• Dining room.
• Park area.
• Residences.

It has already been mentioned a little that each state in America can approve its own educational programs. But compulsory secondary education remains the same for everyone. True, it can begin either from 6 years old or from seven. The start time of classes may also vary: in some schools they may start at 7:30, while others prefer to put children at their desks at 8:00.

The academic year, unlike ours, is divided into only two semesters, and not into quarters. The assessment does not provide for a five-point system, but a 100-point criterion is often used.

Education system in American schools

American education is quite diverse, so everyone can choose their own individual path in acquiring knowledge. Every country and every people has its own value systems and traditions that are passed on from generation to generation. We also have our own attitudes, which are ingrained in children’s heads from childhood. For example, from birth, a Jewish child is taught by his parents that he is the smartest and can achieve any achievement. Maybe that is why there are so many outstanding scientists and the latest discoveries in this country.

In American families, a child learns one truth from childhood: in life there is always room for choices that he can make. Not everyone can become a famous physicist or chemist, but you can always find many other exciting activities for yourself. In the USA, your place in society and well-being depend not on your type of activity or profession, but on your success in this area. Being a simple car mechanic is not at all shameful if you do your job at the highest level and there is a queue of clients lining up for you.

The American education system is also set up for this. Already within the walls of school, the child can choose for himself the activities that he likes best. The only thing that remains uniform is the requirement to consistently graduate from several types of schools, which will be discussed further.

There are no rigid groups or classes in schools; students are called students and have the right to choose courses that suit their inclinations and the aspirations in life that they have. If in our schools a general schedule is drawn up for each class, then each student can have his own class schedule.

Each course is worth a certain number of points, which is called a credit. There is even a minimum credit that must be earned in order to move on to the next school or enroll in another institution. There are special college preparation classes available, but you must also have a “personal loan” to be eligible to take them. Most children consciously choose the classes they attend, and therefore their path to the future.

A school in America offers scholarships for children, which depend on the size of the “personal loan”. It also happens when a student has such a high credit that it is enough to get two higher educations for free.

We can say that students have two options: to achieve everything with their own work and abilities, or to use their parents’ money for further education.

An American school has another interesting feature - the child is still studying within the school, and information about his achievements is transmitted to all higher educational institutions. There are no entrance exams to institutes and universities, each student writes test papers in subjects throughout the year, and the results at the end of the year are sent not only to the academic part of the school, but also to colleges and universities. After graduating from school, each student can only consider invitations from various educational institutions to study or send requests to them himself, waiting for a response. So it turns out that you can achieve high results and enter a prestigious university not only for money, but also by putting in the maximum of your work.

It doesn’t matter how many schools there are in America, but in each of them the only decisive factor for entering a prestigious university is one’s own great desire and aspiration. Of course, not everyone is blessed with good mental abilities, but if you want to study at a university, the state is more willing to provide a student loan, which is paid off after graduation.

Types of schools in America

There are many educational institutions in the USA, but they can all be divided into the following types:

1. Public Schools.
2. Boarding school.
3. Private educational institutions.
4. Home schools.

Public schools are divided by age: there is an elementary school, a middle school and a high school. It is necessary to clarify how children in America study in such schools. First of all, their distinctive feature is their strict division into separate establishments. They are not only located in separate buildings, but can also be geographically located far from each other.

Boarding schools are located in large fenced areas with well-equipped buildings for classes, residences, gyms and everything necessary for receiving a quality education. Such schools are often called “schools of life” and quite rightly so.

Secondary education in the USA

To obtain a certificate of education you must complete three levels of school:

• Primary school.
• Average.
• The older one.

They all have their own requirements and characteristics. Programs and list of subjects can also vary greatly.

Elementary education

Education in America begins with elementary school. It is necessary to clarify that there are no problems in getting to school. Some students are brought by their parents, those over 16 can drive themselves, and the rest are picked up by school buses. If the child is in poor health or is disabled, the bus can drive directly to his home. They also deliver children home after classes. All school buses are yellow, so it is simply impossible to confuse them with other city transport.

Most often, the elementary school building is located in parks and squares; it has one floor and is quite cozy inside. One teacher is in charge of the class and conducts all subjects according to the children. As a rule, children have traditional classes: reading, writing, native language and literature, fine arts, music, mathematics, geography, natural science, hygiene, labor and, of course, physical education.

Classrooms are equipped taking into account the abilities of children. Before this, the babies are tested. But all tests are no longer aimed at identifying the level of preparedness for school, but at revealing the child’s natural inclinations and his IQ.

After testing, students are divided into three classes: “A” - gifted children, “B” - normal, “C” - low-ability. We work more intensively with gifted children from primary school and guide them towards further higher education. The entire process takes five years.

High school in America

After finishing primary school, a child with a certain “personal credit” moves to secondary school. The question arises: how many classes does a high school in America have? As we found out, training takes three years, respectively, students move to 6th, 7th and 8th grades.

A secondary school, like an elementary school, can have its own curriculum in each district. The school week lasts 5 days, and vacations twice a year - winter and summer.

The secondary school is usually located in a larger building, since it has many more students. Training is also based on a credit system. In addition to the compulsory subjects, which include mathematics, English, literature, each child can choose, depending on his preferences, additional lessons. At the end of the year, exams are required; in order to move to the next class, you need to gain a certain number of credits. In secondary schools, career guidance is mandatory, which helps children decide on their choices in life.

High school

We have looked at what types of schools exist in America; it remains to be seen what a high school is like. It includes 4 years of study, from grades 9 to 12. As a rule, such schools have their own specialization, so careful preparation for admission to higher educational institutions begins from the 9th grade. This type of school is quite important, since during your studies you can not only accumulate enough knowledge for admission, but also gain credits that will allow you to significantly save on your studies.

In high school, the program requires the study of English, mathematics, social subjects and natural disciplines. Considering that a high school must adhere to specialized education, different institutions may have different directions.

There are the following directions in schools:

For example, if a student studied an academic profile, he has the right to enter a higher education institution. But this only applies to well-performing children. If the results are not very good, then the student chooses a suitable practical course for himself.

Any professional profile gives students practical skills. Depending on the chosen direction, a class schedule is drawn up.

Rules in American schools

School rules exist in any school, of course, in American ones they differ significantly from ours. Here are some of them:

1. It is prohibited to walk in the corridors during lessons.
2. When going to the toilet, the student is given a pass card, which is marked by the teacher on duty in the toilet.
3. If a child misses school, the secretary calls on the same day and finds out the reason for the absence.
4. You can skip only 18 lessons if the subject is taught all year, if the course takes six months, then only 9 absences are allowed.
5. You cannot leave the school until all the lessons are over; there are video cameras everywhere.
6. Security guards keep order at the school; they wear civilian uniforms, but have weapons.
7. In American schools, it is prohibited to eat in the hallways and classrooms; this can only be done in the cafeteria or cafe.
8. You cannot carry drinks or food with you.
9. Drugs and alcohol are prohibited, as is the carrying of weapons, although such a warning for our schools looks completely ridiculous. In our country this is a given.
10. The manifestation of sexual inequality in any form is unacceptable. Even a hand on a friend's shoulder can be considered sexual harassment.
11. It is prohibited to play cards in class.
12. School rules even contain a clause prohibiting cheating.
13. Damage to school property is not permitted.

Some rules relate to school uniforms; for us, some of them seem completely absurd:

You can purchase a school uniform in a specialized store, where a card is issued for each student and a discount is provided on the purchase.

The American teacher also adheres to a strict style of dress; of course, it is not necessary to wear suits, but men do not wear jeans to classes, and female teaching staff often wear skirts rather than trousers.

All rules for students are printed out and pasted into school diaries at the beginning of the school year.

Private schools in America

All private schools in the USA are fee-paying. Not all families can afford to educate their children in such an institution, because the cost of a private school for all years of study will cost on average, if converted into Russian money, from 1.5 to 2 million rubles. But it is necessary to clarify that this amount includes not only training, but also accommodation in a boarding house with full support.

Many private schools are ready to provide their students with financial assistance, this applies to both well-performing children and

Since there is often promiscuity in public schools, cases of rape and pregnancy of young girls are not uncommon; for the safety of their children, parents prefer to pay in order to be calm about the health and life of their children.

Private schools have some advantages over public schools:

• There are about 15 people in classes, which gives each student the opportunity to receive maximum attention.
• Living in a dormitory provides constant communication with your peers not only during classes, but also in everyday life.
• In private schools, the period of study is longer, so the chances of entering a university increase.

Private schools, for a number of reasons, are more prestigious, but among public educational institutions you can also find ones where you can get a good education.

Homeschooling in America

Recently, home schools have become fashionable in America. Once upon a time, such education appeared naturally in families in which parents had a good education to teach their children at home, as well as a decent income to purchase all the necessary textbooks and manuals.

Now in many American cities there are educational centers for children from home schools. Teachers in various subjects are assigned to each center. They provide lessons for both children and their parents. These are usually orientation sessions during which children receive a curriculum and some necessary materials.

After this, an individual schedule is drawn up for visiting teachers, during classes the student writes tests and receives a new assignment. Webinars and online lessons are practiced.

Children who are educated in home schools also have their own holidays and sports competitions, where they meet others like them. That is, there is a team, only its members meet each other much less often.

It is believed that homeschooling requires much less effort, so children are less tired and are not as susceptible to the bad influence of their peers. Children from such schools are usually friendly, welcoming, and have good manners.

Schools for Russians in America

There is also a school for Russians in America. As a rule, it is chosen by those parents who do not want their children to forget their native language. In such institutions, teaching is conducted in English, but there are subjects such as Russian language and literature.

Most often, Russian schools are opened at Orthodox parishes, then it turns out that they are not daily, but Sunday. But in some American schools there are Russian schools where children are taught. This is also a good opportunity not to forget your native language.

In various centers, clubs and sections are opened, which are taught by Russian teachers and in Russian. For example, figure skating, dancing and drawing, gymnastics and others.

For very young children there are kindergartens, only private ones, where children communicate in Russian. There can only be 8 people in a group, because a teacher who has received a license for such activities can simultaneously raise that many children. Children are accepted from the age of two.

Thus, while living in America, you can remember the Russian language and at the same time communicate freely in English.

To summarize all that has been said, we can conclude: no matter what schools exist in America, you can choose at your own discretion. Most often, this issue is decided by parents if the child is still small, and at an older age, they choose an educational institution together with their children. You can also get a prestigious education completely free of charge if you have a great desire and make every effort.