Prestigious education in the USA
America has rightfully and for many years been an international leader in the field of the highest level of quality in higher education. According to statistics in the United States, the literacy rank is 99%, while at the same time, of the 250 top officials in America, 12% are graduates of ranking American universities.
Currently, the educational system in America has several specific features that were formed due to certain conditions of the country's development. The main feature is due to the lack of a unified state educational system in the United States. So, any American state has the right to pursue an independent educational policy.
The American education system consists of:
- Preschools - education for kids aged 3 to 5 years
- Primary schools (grades 1-8) - children from 6 to 13 years old are being studied
- High School (grades 9-12) - teaching is conducted for students aged 14 to 17 years
- Higher education - the duration of studies varies from 2 to 4 years.
Compared with the European educational system, a more democratic approach is inherent in the American one, while at the same time there is no rigid hierarchical structure.
It is worth noting that the school year is divided into quarters. Teaching is conducted over five working days. As for the class schedule, they start at 8:30, and last up to 3 or 4 hours.
America's Early Childhood Education System
The first stage of preschool education is called Pre-School, including nursery groups for the youngest toddlers and day schools, the alternative name of which is childcare centers. It is worth noting that some American advanced centers operate around the clock, usually private schools.
In addition, pre-school education is possible in American corporate centers that focus on children of employees of certain companies, as well as in religious institutions that belong to the church.
The main goal facing educators of prestigious US preschools is the harmonious and comprehensive development of children and the production of oral speech. It is worth noting that this type of educational institution does not develop an educational program. So, it is planned to hold games between children, theatrical productions, classes in drawing, modeling, dancing, reading aloud works of literature are organized.
School Preparation - A Year in America
The first stage of the American school system is a preparatory class, in other words, a kindergarden, which in most cases is located in the school buildings. American children are taught in preparatory class free of charge, and funding is provided from the state budget. In addition, private centers have been successfully operating in America, providing quality education for studying at the American advanced school.
As part of the preparatory classes of the American leading school, the teacher focuses on the adaptation of students to the new environment and communication between the children, thereby ensuring the psychological comfort of the student within the walls of the school. In preparatory classes, children actively study writing, reading, and also counting.
America's secondary education system
- Elementary School (Grades 1-5)
The target audience for elementary school is students from 6 to 12 years old. Despite their small age, foreign children are divided into groups depending on the level of abilities in order to ensure the harmonious development of individual talents.
When moving to the third grade, it is envisaged to write special tests for each student. Based on the results, educators emphasize the teaching of certain subjects. It is worth noting that in elementary school classes have been created for talented children and lagging behind. In this connection, this parameter determines the level of homework and the depth of study of specific disciplines.
- Middle School (grades 6-8)
As part of the education at Middle School, it is envisaged that foreign students study mathematics, the English language, the natural and social sciences, and physical education without fail. After moving to grade 8, students are given the opportunity to independently choose subjects that match their preferences and interests. As practice shows, students choose foreign languages, technology, as well as art.
- High School (grades 9-12)
As for High School, foreign teenagers are given the opportunity to take classes in several additional classes. So, additional classes provide for the study of relevant disciplines, knowledge of which will be required as part of admission to a ranking university in the USA for popular specializations, namely:
- Foreign languages;
- Web Design and Computer Graphics;
- Computer science;
- Robotics;
- Journalism;
- Cinema;
- Theater art.
As for the minimum requirements for obtaining a diploma, they include studying mathematics for two years, English - 4 years, natural sciences - 2 years, social sciences - for 3 years. After final exams are passed, High School Graduation Diploma is issued to foreign students.
- Advanced Placement (Grade 13)
The target audience for this educational program is foreign students who seek to study at a deeper level the disciplines that are expected to be specialized in a leading American university. It should be noted that the fact of education in the framework of this education program indicates the possibility of obtaining benefits for admission to 90% of the top universities in the USA, Great Britain, Canada and other countries of the world. In the case of excellent academic performance, a foreign student receives priority in the framework of admission to leading American universities, in particular, this:
- University of central Florida
- The University of Illinois in Chicago
- Louisiana State University
- University of the Pacific
- American University Washington.
How is the school year organized in prestigious boarding schools in the USA?
In the predominant number of leading boarding schools in America, the beginning of the school year falls on the end of August, and the duration varies from 170 to 186 days. There is a relationship between the US state and weekends and vacations in the schools in which they are located. During the school year, the most common holidays fall on holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter.
Higher Education System in America
In the United States, more than 4,700 universities have been created, within the walls of which 21 million students are studying. Of all students, 5% are foreign students. The US higher education system includes the following steps:
- Bachelor's programs (duration of study is 4 years)
- Master (duration of study - 2 years)
- Doctoral studies (duration of study varies from 4 to 5 years).
The main differences between universities and colleges in America
If the university has developed only bachelor's programs, then it is considered a college. As practice shows, the predominant number of American colleges are private. As an interesting fact, we note that humanitarian colleges are called "colleges of liberal arts." So, in terms of prestige, such colleges are not inferior to elite American universities from the Ivy League.
As you may have noticed, the key difference between colleges and universities in America is due to the presence of master's programs, doctoral programs , and research programs at universities.It is worth noting that the structure of universities can include several colleges. In particular, the structure of Yale University includes 14 colleges. As for the universities themselves, two types are distinguished, namely private and public. The method of financing does not have any impact on the infrastructure equipment and organization of the educational process. At the same time, a predominant number of American teenagers seek to receive prestigious higher education in private universities in America because of the smaller classes, as well as the attention paid by the teacher to each student.
Grade System at America's Top Universities
In the United States, a five-point alphabetic ranking system is established, namely A, B, C, D, E. The highest ranking is A, unsatisfactory F. As for ranking D, its interpretation is completely determined by circumstances. An additional ranking system has been developed. So, to all grades besides F, teachers have the right to add plus and minus signs. Over the past few years, an additional assessment in the form of the letter N has been adopted, which means that the student did not submit a report, and there are no grades.
Regardless of the score received, educators are not allowed to read grades aloud. Please note that the nature of the assessment does not play any role, that is, this is the answer at the board or the test.
As for the assessment of performance, it is based on the results of exams for the semester, the protection of projects, etc. Please note that the GPA, which is the final performance indicator, is presented in numerical value.
Professional help of specialists
It is worth noting that there are significant differences for foreign students, which leads to difficulties in admission to the advanced school of America. Experienced specialists of SMAPSE educational center will provide you with their professional assistance on any issues related to the organization of study in America.
