Educational stage
Educational stages vary around the world. Some countries describe the different stages in years, whereas other countries use a system of grades.
International
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes seven levels of education in its International Standard Classification of Education system (ISCED). These range from Level 0 (pre-primary education) to Level 6 (second stage of tertiary education). UNESCO's International Bureau of Education maintains a database of country-specific education systems and their stages.
Australia
In Australia children undergo twelve years of formal education plus kindergarten and/or a "preparatory grade" or "Prep", usually starting at ages five to six and finishing at ages 17 to 18. The Years are numbered from 1 to 12. Primary school is Years 1–6, and secondary school Years 7–12 in ACT, NSW, TAS, and VIC, while primary school is Years 1–7 and secondary school 8–12 in WA, SA, and QLD.
Brazil
In Brazil three obligator pertaining to school periods of training exist that a person has to pass to attend to the Higher Education, that is called Basic Education. The ``Educação Infantil``(Preschool in the U.S), ´´Ensino Fundamental``(Elementary School in the U.S) and ´´Ensino Médio`` (High School in the U.S) understand Basic Education, and have ideal duration of eighteen years. It is during this period of pertaining to school life that is overcome ownership of the necessary minimum knowledge for a complete citizenship. It also serves for conscience taking on the professional future and area of the knowledge that better if adapte. It sees below as the educational stages in Brazil are divided:
Educação Infantil
| Educação Infantil (Brazil Grade) | Ages | Correspondent in the U.S |
|---|---|---|
| Creche | 0–3 | Day Care |
| Pré-Escola | 4–6 | Preschool |
Ensino Fundamental
| Ensino Fundamental (Brazil Grade) | Ages | Correspondent in the U.S |
|---|---|---|
| 1º ano (Primeiro Ano) | 6–7 | first grade |
| 2º ano (Segundo Ano) | 7–8 | second grade |
| 3º ano (Terceiro Ano) | 8–9 | third grade |
| 4º ano (Quarto Ano) | 9–10 | fourth grade |
| 5º ano (Quinto Ano) | 10–11 | fifth grade |
| 6º ano (Sexto Ano) | 11–12 | sixth grade |
| 7º ano (Sétimo Ano) | 12–13 | seventh grade |
| 8º ano (Oitavo Ano) | 13–14 | eighth grade |
| 9º ano (Nono Ano) | 14–15 | ninth grade |
Ensino Médio:
| Ensino Médio (Brazil Grade) | Ages | Correspondent in the U.S |
|---|---|---|
| 1º ano (Primeiro Ano) | 16–17 | tenth grade |
| 2º ano (Segundo Ano) | 17–18 | eleventh grade |
| 3º ano (Terceiro Ano) | 18–19 | twelfth grade |
China
There are nine compulsory years of education in the PRC, Primary (小学) 1-6 and Elementary Middle (初中) 1-3. There are an optional three extra years of Upper Middle (高中) 1-3 which may be followed by study at university.
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong system is based on the United Kingdom system, with an optional year at kindergarten, six years of primary school (小學) and seven years of secondary school (中學), followed by three years at university. Primary 1 – 6 (小一 – 小六) corresponds to Years 1 – 6 in the UK, and Forms 1 – 7 (中一 – 中七)correspond to Years 7 – 13. Usually students begin Primary One at age 5 or 6 and complete Form 7 at age 18 or 19.
There are plans to change the system to 12 years of compulsory education at school (that is, removal of Form 7) followed by four years at university, mimicking the United States.
In Hong Kong, international schools follow the system of the country they are based upon, for example the English Schools Foundation uses the UK year system, and French International Schools use the French collège, école, lycée system. Also, the English term Form followed by the English number is common usage even in otherwise Cantonese conversations.
France
The most junior level of schooling in France is l'école maternelle. Compulsory education begins at the age of six, when children enter l'école élémentaire. The two may be combined, known as l'école primaire. The numbered years, or classes are as follows:
- Cycle I : cycle des apprentissages premiers
- Toute Petite Section or TPS
- Petite Section or PS
- Moyenne Section or MS
- Grande Section or GS
- Cycle II : cycle des apprentissages fondamentaux
- Second year : Cours préparatoire or CP (6–7 years).
- Third year : Cours élémentaire niveau 1 or CE1 (7–8 years).
- Cycle III : cycles des approfondissements
- First year : Cours élémentaire niveau 2 or CE2 (8–9 years).
- Second year : Cours moyen niveau 1 or CM1 (9–10 years).
- Third year : Cours moyen niveau 2 or CM2 (10–11 years).
After this, students attend collège, from the ages of eleven to fifteen. The classes are numbered in descending order.
- Sixième (11–12 years)
- Cinquième (12–13 years)
- Quatrième (13–14 years)
- Troisième (14–15 years)
The final part of French secondary education takes place at the lycée. Education is only compulsory to the age of 16, but le lycée covers three years, and concludes in the French Baccalaureate. These are:
- Seconde
- Première
- Terminale
It is possible in France to fail a year, and need to resit (redoubler).
Ireland
In Ireland, there are two levels of compulsory education, junior or primary school, and secondary or senior school. The names of each class are as follows:
- Junior Infants (4–5 years)
- Senior Infants (5–6 years)
- First Class (6–7 years)
- Second Class (7–8 years)
- Third Class (8–9 years)
- Fourth Class (9–10 years)
- Fifth Class (10–11 years)
- Sixth Class (11–12 years)
After Sixth Class, students move to secondary school, entering;
- First Year (12–13 years)
- Second Year (13–14 years)
- Third Year (14–15 years)
- Fourth Year [or Transition Year] (15–16 years)
- Fifth Year (15–17 years)
- Sixth Year [or Final Year] (16–18 years)
Students can leave education at any time after their sixteenth birthday. In some schools Transition Year is compulsory, in others it is optional, and in others is not available.
Malaysia
Compulsory education in Malaysia spans a period of 11 years and comprises both primary and secondary education. Kindergarten is optional.
Malaysian primary school consists of six years of education, referred to as Standard 1 to Standard 6. Standards 1 – 3 are classified as Level One (Tahap Satu in Malay) while Standards 4 – 6 make up Level Two (Tahap Dua). Primary schooling usually begins at the age of 7 and ends at 12. Students take their first national examination, the UPSR, towards the end of the Standard 6 school year. Performance in the UPSR has no effect on their resuming schooling; all students continue with their secondary education after leaving primary school.
Secondary schooling usually begins at age 13. Secondary schools offer education for a total of five years, starting with Form 1 and finishing at Form 5. Forms 1 – 3 are grouped together into the "Lower Form" and Forms 4 & 5 are considered the "Upper Form". Students in Form 3 will have to sit for their second national exam, the PMR. They are then streamed into sciences or humanities classes for the Upper Form according to their performance in this exam. At age 17 students in Form 5 sit for the final level of national examinations, the SPM (Malaysian Certificate of Education). Achieving a passing grade in the Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language) portion of the exams is compulsory; failure results in an automatic failing grade for all subjects taken in the examination and the student is held back to repeat Form 5. Completion of the examination signifies that the student has completed formal education in Malaysia; an SPM certificate remains the base requirement to secure most jobs in Malaysia.
After the SPM, students have a choice of either continuing with Form 6 (which comprises 2 years, Lower and Upper Six) or entering matriculation (pre-university programs). If they opt for Form 6, they will be required to take the STPM examination. Although generally taken by those desiring to attend public universities in Malaysia, an STPM certification is internationally recognized and may also be used, though rarely required, to enter private local universities for undergraduate courses.
Norway
In Norway children start school at the age of six; before that kindergarten is voluntary. This school is called "barneskole" (childrenschool):
- 6–7: First grade
- 7–8: Second grade
- 8–9: Third grade
- 9–10: Fourth grade
- 10–11: Fifth grade
- 11–12: Sixth grade
- 12–13: Seventh grade
The second school is "ungdomsskole" (youth-school). At this level the students are rated with grades in each subject, in addition to behavior and orderliness:
- 13–14: Eighth grade
- 14–15: Ninth grade
- 15–16: Tenth grade
The last school before higher education is called "Videregaaende skole" (ongoing school) and is voluntary, though most choose to attend. At this level students decide among separate career-related schools. The most popular such school is designed to prepare one for further education,[citation needed] while others prepare students for vocations such as mechanics, electricians, cooks and so on. Educational stages in these schools begin again at "one" and are named Vg1, Vg2, Vg3 and Vg4. Some of the more practical schools last only two years, and some students may choose to attend an extra year to study higher education. The typical duration is three years, though some schools offer a four-year program to enable students to engage in more athletics or gather real work experience.
- 16–17: Vg1
- 17–18: Vg2
- 18–19: Vg3
- 19–20: Vg4
Singapore
A Singaporean compulsory education lasts 12 years, beginning with Primary 1 – 6, followed by Secondary (abbreviated Sec) 1 – 4. After Sec, it is non-compulsory but highly recommended to continue studying via:
- Junior College (abbreviated JC) – 2 years
- Polytechnic (abbreviated Poly) – 3 to 4 years
- Institute of Technical Education (abbreviated ITE)
- Pre-university – 3 years.
One then has the option to move on to University education.
United Kingdom
Main article: Education in the United Kingdom
England and Wales
In England and Wales education is divided into two stages: primary education and secondary education. Required assessment within the National Curriculum takes place in years 2, 6, 9 (Standard Attainment Tests (SATs, pronounced "sats"), not to be confused with the US (SAT) and Year 11 (GCSEs). School education is generally followed by three or four years at university by those who decide to stay in education.
Children begin school either in the school year or school term in which they reach their fifth birthday. Primary schools educate children from Reception through to Year 6, and may be subdivided into infant and junior schools. Alternatively, children may attend private prep schools.
Secondary education is compulsory to the age of 16. Schools have various possible names, such as grammar, comprehensive and secondary schools, which may or may not indicate selective admission or tuition fees (see main article). Sixth Form education is not compulsory. Some secondary schools still use the 'form' system, with Year 7 being First Form, Year 8 being Second Form, et cetera, up until Years 12 and 13, which together make up the Sixth Form. Some independent schools use other naming systems.
In some areas in England, a three-tier system of education is used, in which students pass through three stages: First school/Lower school (Reception to Year 3/4), Middle school (Year 4/5 to Year 7/8) and finally High or Upper School (Year 8/9–Year 13).
| Year | Ages | School | Key Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reception | 4–5 | Infant or Primary | Foundation |
| Year One | 5–6 | Key Stage 1 | |
| Year Two | 6–7 | ||
| Year Three | 7–8 | Junior or Primary | Key Stage 2 |
| Year Four | 8–9 | ||
| Year Five | 9–10 | ||
| Year Six | 10–11 | ||
| Year Seven | 11–12 | Secondary | Key Stage 3 |
| Year Eight | 12–13 | ||
| Year Nine | 13–14 | ||
| Year Ten | 14–15 | Key Stage 4 | |
| Year Eleven | 15–16 | ||
| Year Twelve | 16–17 | Secondary or Sixth Form | Key Stage 5 |
| Year Thirteen | 17–18 |
Northern Ireland
The system in place in Northern Ireland resembles that in place in England Wales, but there are notable differences. Education is compulsory during only 12 years, with pupils starting primary school in the September following their 4th birthday (except for those born in July or August, who start a year later). Years are numbered from this point, meaning that Year 2 in the Northern Irish system is the closest in age range to England's Year 1.
As with England and Wales, education is divided into primary and secondary (or post-primary) sectors, with a division at age 11. The label Key Stage is also used, although with slightly different meanings to those seen in England. As of 2007 the province has a wholly selective system at the post-primary level, with all Year 7 pupils taking the Eleven plus tests. This system will end with the new intake in 2009, with new arrangements as yet to be confirmed.
| Year | Ages | School | Key Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year One | 4–5 | Primary | Foundation Stage |
| Year Two | 5–6 | ||
| Year Three | 6–7 | Key Stage 1 | |
| Year Four | 7–8 | ||
| Year Five | 8–9 | Key Stage 2 | |
| Year Six | 9–10 | ||
| Year Seven | 10–11 | ||
| Year Eight | 11–12 | Secondary | Key Stage 3 |
| Year Nine | 12–13 | ||
| Year Ten | 13–14 | ||
| Year Eleven | 14–15 | Key Stage 4 | |
| Year Twelve | 15–16 |
Scotland
In Scotland, education is divided into two stages: primary education and secondary education. Primary education is delivered almost exclusively through primary schools which offer education for pupils aged between 4 and 12. Children are entitled to pre-school education from their third birthday, and must enter compulsory education from the August after their 5th birthday. There is some leeway in the starting date or pupils[1]. Education lasts 7 years in the primary school, before pupils move to a secondary school for between 4 and 6 years, the last two being optional. There is some variation in the phasing of education in more remote areas of Scotland, where provision may be made in a through school, or in other combinations of institutes.
| Year | Ages | School |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-school | 3–5 | |
| Primary One | 4–6 | Primary |
| Primary Two | 5–7 | |
| Primary Three | 6–8 | |
| Primary Four | 7–9 | |
| Primary Five | 8–10 | |
| Primary Six | 9–11 | |
| Primary Seven | 10–12 | |
| Secondary One | 11–13 | Secondary |
| Secondary Two | 12–14 | |
| Secondary Three | 13–15 | |
| Secondary Four | 14–16 | |
| Secondary Five | 15–17 | |
| Secondary Six | 16–18 |
United States and Canada
- Main articles: Education in the United States, Education in Canada
In Canada and the United States the grades traditionally begin at 1 and run to 12 (or 11 or 13 in some areas); in the US they are referred to by ordinal number (e.g. "third grade"), while in Canada the cardinal number is used (e.g. "grade 3"). An additional preceding level called Kindergarten is now standard in most areas, and a further preceding level called Preschool or Nursery school is not uncommon. In the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, as well as some parts of the state of Wisconsin, kindergarten is split further into junior and senior kindergarten.
At the secondary school level, grades 9–12 are also known as freshman (or "first-year"), sophomore, junior, and senior, especially in the United States. At the post-secondary level (college or university), these terms are used almost exclusively to refer to what would otherwise be grades 13–16, also mainly in the United States. However, at the post-secondary level in Canada, freshman is often called first-year, sophomore as second-year, and so on.
These tables outline the ages, in years, of each grade level. However, students are sometimes older because of grade retention.
Elementary school: (sometimes includes 5th or 6th grade, and sometimes goes up to 8th grade)
| U.S. Grade | Ages | Canadian Grade |
|---|---|---|
| kindergarten | 5–6 | kindergarten |
| first grade | 6–7 | grade one |
| second grade | 7–8 | grade two |
| third grade | 8–9 | grade three |
| fourth grade | 9–10 | grade four |
| fifth grade | 10–11 | grade five |
Middle school: (variations: grade 5–6, grade 6–8, grade 5–9, grade 6–9, grade 7–8)
| U.S. Grade | Ages | Canadian Grade |
|---|---|---|
| sixth grade | 11–12 | grade six |
| seventh grade | 12–13 | grade seven |
| eighth grade | 13–14 | grade eight |
High school:
| U.S. Grade | Ages | Canadian Grade |
|---|---|---|
| ninth grade, freshman | 14–15 | grade nine |
| tenth grade, sophomore | 15–16 | grade ten |
| eleventh grade, junior | 16–17 | grade eleven |
| twelfth grade, senior | 17–18 | grade twelve |
Children typically start school at age five, but may turn six during the school year. This accounts for age differences within the same grade. Different school districts have different entrance requirements, with some using age on the first day of school, and others using age on a specified date. Also, some areas use junior high school, typically grades 7–8 or 9, instead of middle school. The grade configurations vary from school to school and district to district in the USA and Canada.