THE SCHOOL SYSTEM

There are about 62 million students enrolled in public and private schools and colleges in the United States. The cost of running these educational establishments has risen to nearly $100 billion dollars a year, or more than $6000 per student. Around 7 million teachers, administrators, and staff handle the day-to-day tasks of education in the nation. This vast education system affects every American citizen, young and old alike.

From the earliest days of the nation Americans have placed great value on the individual. One important purpose of education therefore is to serve the individual. Americans believe that all citizens should be given the opportunity to study and learn in order to develop their talents and abilities. The aim of education is also to teach young citizens how to contribute to society through good citizenship. Schools try to show how the well-being of each citizen and the future of the nation depend on all American learning to work together for the common good.

Most Americans spend many years earning an education. There are several levels in the US system of education. Schools range from nursery schools for young children to universities for adult higher education. Many children attend nursery school, or preschool. Nursery school usually accepts children three and four years old. In these schools children team to play and get along with other children.

Most nursery schools are private. Some communities, however, support nursery schools as part of their public school system. The federal government also grants funds for preschool programmes in some communities. Many public school systems start with kindergarten classes for five- and six-year-old children. The word kindergarten is German and means "garden for children". Kindergarten children spend a year learning how to get along with others and preparing for first grade. In many areas kindergartens teach the basics of reading and writing and number recognition. Many children enter the first grade of elementary school at the age of six. In elementary school students learn the building blocs of education - reading, writing, and arithmetic. The curriculum also includes subjects such as history, science, health, art, music and physical education.

Children attend elementary school for five to nine years, depending on how the school system is arranged. Grades 7, 8, 9 usually make up junior high school. Many school systems have replaced junior high schools with middle or intermediate schools. Middle schools usually include grades 5 or 6 through 8. Some middle schools include only grades 7 and 8. Students who have completed the first eight or nine grades enter high school. There are generally three kinds of high schools. Academic high schools prepare students for college. Technical and vocational high schools enable students to learn a trade or occupation. Comprehensive high schools offer college preparatory work as well as technical or vocational courses.