Elementary school, sometimes also called primary school or grade school, is one of the first levels of education that young students go through in public education in the United States. Elementary students start at age five in kindergarten and usually finish elementary at age 11 in fifth grade. The core goal of elementary schools is to provide young children with the fundamental basics of several subjects (math, social studies, science, and reading) and aid them in social development when among their peers of the same age.
In the United States public education system, primary education specifically refers to the first few years of school for young children, mainly grades first to third. Some students attend preschool at a young age, usually between three to five years old.
There are several types of elementary schools that can be found in the United States. The most common type is public schools, which are publicly funded, usually by local, state, and federal governments. They are held to certain standards decided by policy and curriculum, decided by school boards, the Department of Education, and state governments. Private schools, in contrast, set their own standards and sometimes do not follow the curriculum set by the government. They do not receive public funding, instead relying on either donors or tuition paid by parents. Private schools can be both non-profit or for-profit, depending on the school itself. Today in the digital age, some schools are virtual, allowing for students to take classes online.
Primary Schooling Grade Levels and Ages
Primary education refers to the grade levels that follow preschool and before secondary education. Depending on the state and county, preschool usually starts at age three and ends around age six for young children. And secondary school, which includes middle school, vocational school, and high school, encompasses the grade levels of 6th or 7th (usually for children aged between 11 to 13) to college (students usually finish high school at age 17 or 18 in the United States). Primary education, in some cases, specifically means the beginning of elementary education, grades kindergarten through third.
Kindergarten begins around the ages of four to six, and then, every year, students advance on a grade level per year. For example, after first grade (ages six to seven), students would start second grade (ages seven to eight) after the summer break. Depending on the school, a child normally finishes elementary school at either fifth (age 10 to 11) or sixth grade (age 11 to 12).
Sometimes, if a student is unable to meet the set standards for each grade level, missed part of the year due to an illness, or is too young or socially underdeveloped, they may need to be held back to repeat a year. And if a student exceeds a grade's standards by a significant margin, they may be eligible to skip a grade. Both decisions are something schools and parents must seriously consider, as being held back or skipping a grade can affect their social development as well as their education.
