School Age and Grade Levels by The American School System
Transferring your child from one educational system to another might confuse you regarding age-grade level. If you are trying to understand the correlation between a child’s age and their grade level in the American schooling system, you’re in the right place. Our comprehensive guide on school age and grade levels will save you time.
We’ll help you understand the relationship between school age and year-to-grade mapping. Additionally, our educational consultants can assist you during the enrollment, making sure your child is placed in the proper grade.
Understanding the American Schooling System
Before delving into specific age-grade combinations, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamentals of the American schooling system. The United States’ educational system is diverse and may differ from those in other countries.
Consequently, some exceptions and variations exist when correlating age and grade. This guide provides a general overview to help you navigate the system effectively.
Student Age in Elementary School
Elementary school age typically starts at 5 years old with kindergarten up until a child is around 10.
Here’s a breakdown of the grades and approximate ages associated with elementary school:
- Kindergarten: 5 years old;
- 1st Grade: 6 years old;
- 2nd Grade: 7 years old;
- 3rd Grade: 8 years old;
- 4th Grade: 9 years old;
- 5th Grade: 10 years old.
Student Age in Middle School
Middle school starts in the 6th grade when children are usually around 11 years old and ends around the time they turn 13.
Here’s an overview of middle school grades and ages:
- 6th Grade: 11 years old;
- 7th Grade: 12 years old;
- 8th Grade: 13 years old.
Student Age in High School
High school begins at 9th grade when students are around 14 years old up until they become adults at 18.
Here’s a breakdown of high school grades and ages:
- 9th Grade: 14 years old;
- 10th Grade: 15 years old;
- 11th Grade: 16 years old;
- 12th Grade: 17 to 18 years old.
Here is a table that shows which age belongs to which grade:
| Home Schooling | Online Schooling | |
|---|---|---|
| Core Subjects | ||
| A wide range of elective courses | ||
| Self-paced learning with flexible deadlines | ||
| Internal progress reports to track student development | ||
| A state-approved curriculum aligned with US homeschooling standards | ||
| Certified teachers who guide and support students through live online classes | ||
| A rigorous academic system where students must score at least 70% to pass a course | ||
| Official academic transcripts and high school diplomas recognized worldwide | ||
| Support of our consultants |
Exceptions and Variations
While the information provided above offers a general guideline for the American schooling system, it’s essential to remember that exceptions can exist. For example, birthdate cutoffs, country-specific regulations, and individual student circumstances can lead to variations.
Therefore, we suggest you contact our academic consultant to get precise information about the grade at which we can place your child.
To get in touch with our consultant, please send an email to [email protected] asking about the adequate grade for them. Make sure to attach your child’s latest academic transcript (report card) and their date of birth.
In situations where it is not easy to determine in what grade the child can be enrolled based on their age and latest academic transcript, our school will use the Placement test. This assessment determines a student’s current level of knowledge and suggests the proper grade level for them.
Ready to explore the flexibility that online schooling gives to your child? Enroll your child in our k-12 online school today to experience the education that fits their age, grade, and needs perfectly!
