In the USA there is no single national education system operated by the federal government. The individual states are responsible for education. Each state has its own set of laws, which results in great differences in education.

Only compulsory schooling is uniform across the country and is 12 years. All states require teenagers to attend school, either 16 or under 18 years of age.

American society is not only an industrial and service society, but also an educational society . Despite their very different course, all life paths lead through kindergartens and schools, often also through universities. There are state and private schools in the United States. The majority of students attend a state institution. These schools, elementary schools, and secondary schools are funded by state and local taxes.

For those attending a private school, the parents pay the costs. About four out of five private schools are run by religious groups operated. In addition to normal courses, religion is taught, which is not on the curriculum in state schools. There is no single curriculum, but some subjects are taught in almost all schools (math, literature, science, writing, reading, history, geography, etc.).

According to allpubliclibraries, the American school system has three levels and is divided into primary school (elementary school), secondary (high school), University or College. Pre-school begins at the age of three and kindergarten is attended at five. Elementary school begins with the first grade at the age of six. Elementary school goes up to fifth grade. After elementary school, there is a change to junior high school or middle school (7th or 8th grade). The junior high school prepares you for the High School in front. The student has more freedom in the choice of subjects and can choose courses himself (foreign languages, choir, etc.). The students in grades 9 to 12 are referred to as freshman, sophomore, junior and senior, respectively. The high school graduation marks the school goal for all students.

Those wishing to attend college must take an entrance exam in the eleventh (sometimes 12th) grade and apply to the university of their choice. The universities check whether all criteria have been met and whether a sufficient number of courses have been taken in each subject. Almost all universities require four years of English tuition, three years of math tuition, two to three years of science (physics, chemistry, biology) tuition, one year of history tuition, and two years of tuition in at least one foreign language.

After high school, most students go to university or college. University and college are basically the same. On one College or university you can usually get three degrees: after four or five years a bachelor’s degree, after six years a masters degree and after eight years a doctorate.
There are liberal arts colleges that specialize in the humanities. There are business colleges that focus only on economics. College also means faculty.

A large university can have multiple colleges. To be accepted into a university, you have to be in high schooltake an entrance exam. This exam usually takes place in the eleventh grade. The exam covers four areas: grammar, science, and math. Those who do well not only have a good chance of being admitted to the university of their choice, but are also entitled to scholarships . Not only the result of the entrance exam, but also the grades, extracurricular performance and activities of the students are taken into account. The exam, grades and achievements say a lot about the academic success of the applicants.

There are of course also private universities and colleges. These colleges cost over $ 30,000 a year.

Universities are funded from three sources: tuition fees, donations and government support. Tuition fees at private and state universities are increasing every year. State universities differ in fees and are cheaper in some states. Parents can prepay tuition fees. If the child starts studying in ten years, parents can pay the fees that are valid today.

Many attend a community or junior college. These facilities offer basic courses of all kinds, in almost every subject and last about two years. The courses are the same as you can take in a normal university, but cheaper. After two years you have completed your basic studies. But you can also enroll at a normal university and only take the courses in the main course.