AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

In the United States, all children have to attend school from the age of 6 until they are
16, but many of them go to kindergarten when they are 5. Elementary school starts in
grade 1 and finishes in grade 5. Then, children attend junior high school for grades 6 to
8 and, after that, they go to high school for the last 4 years. Most American children go
to public schools and the textbooks are provided by the government.

Just like in European countries, the academic year goes from late August to June ,
usually with a break for Christmas. Students have to attend regular lessons, like English
grammar, literature, math, science, history, geography, economics, civics, computer
science,and physical education. They can also choose some subjects such as drama and
home economics. Classes usually go from 9 to 3 or 4 pm, and students have lunch at
school.

When Americans finish high school, they don’t have to take an admission test to go to
college, but they usually take some special exams called SATs ( Scholastic Aptitude
Tests). Students then send college an application form with their score in the SATs and
a document with their high school achievement data. Colleges admission officers will
analyse the information and decide if the student will be accepted. College education is
expensive in the USA and sometimes parents start saving for this purpose when their
children are still very young.

DISCUSS

What are the similarities and differences between the American and Brazilian
Education Systems?