Here �s a rough breakdown on American education.
Daycare or preschool: children under age 5, parents usually must pay
Elementary School:
Kindergarten: age 5
Grades 1 - 5: ages 6 -10 (sometimes also includes grade 6, age 11)
Middle School: grades 6 - 8, ages 11 - 13
or
Junior High School: grades 7 - 9, ages 12 - 14
High School: grades 9 or 10 - 12, ages 14 or 15 - 17
Public schools are free from kindergarten through grade 12. Students may attend private or religious schools instead, or may be homeschooled, but their parents must pay for those options. Students can also drop out at age 16 before finishing grade 12 and obtain a GED later.
After that, most education is paid for by the student or the student �s parents, although some scholarships are available.
Associate �s degree: 2 year (usually at a junior or community college)
Bachelor �s degree: 4 year (college or university)
Master �s degree: 2 - 3 years after bachelor �s degree (university)
Doctorate: about 4 years after bachelor �s degree, usually after master �s degree (university)
Post-doctorate work: study after the Ph.D is completed, no specific time involved.
To attend most colleges and universities in the USA, students from non-English speaking countries must take the TOEFL.
Law school takes about three years after a bachelor �s degree; medical school takes at least four after a bachelor �s degree for a GP and more for specialists, plus a year each of internship and residency.
I think that covers most of the American educational system. I hope this answers your question, but let us know if you have more specific questions.
