american education system

THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

• In America, the compulsory age to enter school is 5 years old. Education system is divided into the tree levels: Primary School (Elementary School) for children from 6 to 11 years old > Grades 1-6

Secondary School (Junior High) for children from 12 to 13 years old > Grades 7-8 (High School) for children from 14 to 17 years old > Grades 9-12 The twelfth grade is the final year of compulsory education.

• There is no official diplomas equivalent between the French and American education system, however a comparison can be made:

Baccalauréat High School Diploma 1st cycle, BTS / DUT (Bac+2) Associate's Degree (HSD+2) 2nd cycle, Licence (Bac+3) Bachelor's Degree (HSD+4) 3rd cycle, Master (Bac+5) Master's Degree (Bachelor Degree+2) 4th cycle, Doctorat (Bac+8) Ph.D (Master Degree+2/3)

• In the United States for High School and University the student of 1st year are called Freshman

2nd year are called Sophomore 3rd year are called Junior 4th year are called Senior For example we might say "she's a college Freshman" or "he's a senior in High School"

THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

• Each State has several private universities and two university systems:

A more prestigious system know as (University of) "University of Arizona" which often is very selective. An other system less prestigious (State University) "Arizona StateUniversity" In 2000, 77% of American students were enrolled in a public university.

• Private school: 45% religious non-Catholic

23% Catholic 32% non-religious Tuition fees are very high in private sector, unfortunately this system creates inequalities.

• The ivy league is a group of eight private universities in the northeastern United States. They are among the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country.

"Ivy league" has the connotations of academic excellency, high admissions selectivity and social elitism. For example, American private school Harvard in Boston, Massachusetts who has 36 012 students. Many celibrities have studied there, such has Nathalie Portman or Harry Kissinger. Found on October 1636, it is the oldest institution of higher education in United States, tuition fees is around 50 000 Dollars. The university has ice hockey, squash, fencing volley ball, basketball, tennis and football teams.

THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

• In the United States the graduation ceremony is a very symbolic cultural tradition.

It is a big ceremony which begins in morning with all of Harvard University on the legendary Harvard Yard. The audience is mainly composed of students and their families from all over the world. All students proudly wear their Harvard hats and dresses. It is a 3 hours ceremony full of emotions. The prom ball is a High School celebration held towards the end of the school year, attended by graduates (senior or grade 12 students and sometimes junior or grade 11 students). The event is very important to all american students and has long been a part of American culture. A king and a queen in couple or not may be chosen by election before or during the party, to honour them. The party take place in any reception room aivailabe, even a gym.

Graduation ceremony

• The University residence is a choice of many students. At an affordable price (15000 dollars at Harvard), it offers you a fullfuling living environment where you can focus on your studies. It has an apartment to it or in collocation with an other, formula that costs the cheapest.

• Fraternities and sororities are social fraternal organizations for students mostly undergraduate. the terms refer primarily to university organisations in North America, although they are also applied to similar groups in Europe. Their mission is to improve the quality of student life at the American University, empowering members of the community by advising with a developmental approach, by educating with a goal, by promoting academic succes, strengthening civic engagement.

Prom ball

THE AMERICAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

• The American education system often makes young students around the world dream. Indeed it is often put forward in films and series with all its cult events and symbolic practices.

Advantages: - Many means made available to students. - Motivated students. - Few students per class. - Meeting with people from all over the world. - Opportunity to discover new disciplines. Drawbacks: - Adapted to mentalities. - High cost of studies. - Autonomy required. - Equivalence of diplomas.

I would have liked to study in the United States, to be able to benefit from the advantages however I prefer to stay with my family and take care of my entourage; in addition to raising studies.