Educational stages are subdivisions of formal learning, typically covering early childhood education, primary education, secondary education and tertiary (or higher) education. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognizes seven levels of education in its International Standard Classification of Education system (ISCED, from Level 0 (pre-primary education) through Level 6 (second stage of tertiary education)). UNESCO's International Bureau of Education maintains a database of country-specific education systems and their stages.
Organization
Education during childhood and early adulthood is typically provided through either a two- or three-stage system of childhood schooling, followed by additional stages of higher education or vocational education for those who continue their formal education:
- Early childhood education at preschool, nursery school, or kindergarten (outside the U.S. and Canada)
- Primary education at primary school or elementary school, and sometimes in the early years of middle school
- Secondary education at secondary school or high school, and sometimes in the latter years of middle school
- Higher education or vocational education
The following table introduces the main concepts, although terms and ages may vary in different places:
For additional ISCED stages of education, see ISCED.
Alternative organizational structures
Sudbury schools
Sudbury schools do not use formal grade levels or educational stages. Instead, students ages 4 through 18 are intermingled in a democratic educational system, relying on a series of certifications to use equipment that may require specialized knowledge or safety procedures. These certifications are not typically restricted by age, but rather by demonstrated ability.
By country
Australia
In Australia, children undergo thirteen years of formal education (plus non-compulsory preschool or kindergarten), usually starting at age 4, 5 or 6, and finishing at age 16, 17 or 18. The years are numbered from "Prep/Kindergarten" to 12.
In New South Wales (NSW), Western Australia (WA), Queensland (QLD) and Victoria (VIC), primary school is Kindergarten (NSW)/Prep (Vic & Qld)/Pre-primary (WA) and Years 1â€"6, and secondary school, Years 7â€"12 (see table below).
In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Tasmania (TAS), primary school is Kindergarten (ACT)/Prep (Tas) and years 1â€"6, secondary school is years 7â€"10 and college or Senior Secondary is years 11 and 12 (see table below).
In South Australia, primary school is Reception and Years 1â€"7, and secondary school is Years 8â€"12 (see table below).
Belarus
In Belarus, education is guaranteed for everyone. Primary school lasts for 4 years, but some psycho-physically challenged children study for 5 years according to a special standard. Forms 1 to 9 are considered compulsory. After completing general basic school a person can study in a special establishment to get a job. To enter a higher educational establishment a person must complete general secondary school (all 11 forms) and pass three centralized tests.
Iran
There are 2 formal stages of education in Iran: primary school (دبستان, Dabestãn) and high school (دبیرستان, Dabirestãn). The high school itself is broken into 2 parts: A and B. Preschool educations are informal, therefore Grade 1 is the first year. In Grade 1 (پایه‌ی 1, Paye 1) also known as the 1st class (کلاس اوÙ'Ù„, Klãs Avval), children learn the basics of reading and writing.
Brazil
In Brazil, there are three levels of basic education: "Educação Infantil" (preschool), "Ensino Fundamental" (primary school) and "Ensino Médio" (high school), which are generally completed by age eighteen. Basic education is designed to provide the necessary minimum knowledge for the exercise of citizenship. It also serves to develop consciousness for choosing future professions. In Brazil, after the name of the grade one may use the names "série" or "ano." The educational stages in Brazil are divided as follows:
Canada
In Canada, schooling officially begins at Kindergarten (or Maternelle in Quebec), followed by grades, with some variations for certain levels in certain provinces/territories. When referred to as a grade, school years are usually referred to by their cardinal number ("Grade Three").
At the post-secondary level in (Anglophone) Canada, a student is usually referred to by the year of study they are in (i.e. First Year, Second Year, etc.). If they are pursuing something higher than an undergraduate degree, the designation usually refers to what year of study they are in since entering Graduate studies (i.e. First Year Graduate Student, etc.). Any student who has completed their first year of undergraduate studies is considered to be an Upper Year Student.
Each province and territory has its own autonomous education system. As such, the name of each level of education and what year each level begins at will vary across the country (as will the curriculum itself).
Grade structure by province/territory
The following table shows how grades are organized in various provinces. Often, there will be exceptions within each province, both with terminology for groups, and which grades apply to each group.
China
In the People's Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau), the years are organized in three stages and renumbered within each stage: 6 years in elementary school (å°å¦) years 1 to 6, then 3 years in lower secondary (åˆçº§ä¸å¦, abbreviated åˆä¸) years 7 to 9, then 3 years in higher secondary (高级ä¸å¦, abbreviated 高ä¸) years 1 to 3. The first nine years (elementary 1â€"6 and junior secondary 1â€"3) are compulsory, and the years in higher secondary school are voluntary. Completing higher secondary education or attaining an equivalent level is required before one may receive higher education (高ç‰æ•™è‚²) at universities.
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong system was based on the United Kingdom system, with an optional year at kindergarten, six years of primary school (å°å¸) and six years of secondary school (ä¸å¸), followed by four years at university. Primary 1 â€" 6 (å°ä¸€Â â€" å°å…) corresponds to Years 1 â€" 6 in the UK, and Forms 1 â€" 6 (ä¸ä¸€Â â€" ä¸å…) correspond to Years 7 â€" 12. Usually students begin Primary 1 at age 5 or 6 and complete Form 6 at age 17 or 18.
In Hong Kong, international schools follow the system of the country they are based upon, for example the English Schools Foundation uses the UK year system, and French International Schools use the French collège, école, lycée system. Also, the English term form followed by the English number is common usage even in otherwise Cantonese conversations.
France
Education is compulsory from age 6 to age 14 or 16.
At the end of the lycée cursus, is the French Baccalaureat exam. It is possible in France to fail a year, and need to resit (redoubler).
Indonesia
In Indonesia, children spend 12 years of formal education, but some children attend nursery playgroup (called Kelompok Belajar in 2 years) and attend kindergarten (Called Taman Kanak-Kanak in 2 years).
Pre-school
Kelompok Belajar/KB (nursery playgroup)
Year : KB A
Age : 2â€"3
Year : KB B
Age : 3â€"4
Taman Kanak-Kanak/TK (kindergarten)
Year : TK A (or "nol kecil")
Age : 4â€"5
Year : TK B (or "nol besar")
Age : 5â€"6
Primary School
Sekolah Dasar/SD (elementary school)
Year : Kelas 1 (1st grade)
Age : 6â€"7
Year : Kelas 2 (2nd grade)
Age : 7â€"8
Year : Kelas 3 (3th grade)
Age : 8â€"9
Year : Kelas 4 (4th grade)
Age : 9â€"10
Year : Kelas 5 (5th grade)
Age : 10â€"11
Year : Kelas 6 (6th grade)
Age : 11â€"12
Secondary School
Sekolah Menengah Pertama/SMP (junior high school)
Year : Kelas 7 (7th grade)
Age : 12â€"13
Year : Kelas 8 (8th grade)
Age : 13â€"14
Year : Kelas 9 (9th grade)
Age : 14â€"15
Sekolah Menengah Umum/SMU (senior high school)
Year : Kelas 10 (10th grade)
Age : 15â€"16
Year : Kelas 11 (11th grade)
Age : 16â€"17
Year : Kelas 12 (12th grade)
Age : 17â€"18
Iran
The Iranian system has experienced several changes in the last seven to eight decades. Prior to 1940â€"1950, the education system had consisted of three levels, called in order: an optional year in kindergarten, six years of primary school, finally followed by six years of secondary school ending up with a diploma. After some improvements during Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, the system was changed to four consecutive periods: two optional years in kindergarten and pre-primary school, primary school consisting of 5 years, 3 years in middle school, and finally four years in high school. The system ended up by honoring a diploma in certain majors, e.g. math and physics.
Around 1996â€"1997, one year was reduced from the entire education system and one was honored with a diploma after three years in high school. However, if one would have liked to continue her/his education towards university degrees, one would have been required to take the last year, so called pre-university year. This year had been a requirement to participate in the Iranian University Entrance Exam for high school students. Again, around 2012, the system turned back to its previous system, consisting of two 6-year periods.
Ireland
In the Republic of Ireland, there are two levels of compulsory education; primary school (ca.5â€"12 years of age) and secondary school (ca.13â€"18 years). The names of each class are as follows:
- Junior Infants (4â€"5 years)
- Senior Infants (5â€"6 years)
- First Class (6â€"7 years)
- Second Class (7â€"8 years)
- Third Class (8â€"9 years)
- Fourth Class (9â€"10 years)
- Fifth Class (10â€"11 years)
- Sixth Class (11â€"12 years)
After Sixth Class, students move to secondary school, entering;
Junior Cycle:
- First Year (12â€"13 years)
- Second Year (13â€"14 years)
- Third Year (14â€"15 years) â€" Junior Certificate
- Fourth Year [or Transition Year] (15â€"16 years)
Senior Cycle:
- Fifth Year (15â€"17 years)
- Sixth Year [or Final Year] (16â€"18 years) â€" Leaving Certificate
In some schools, Transition Year is compulsory, in others it is optional, and in others is not available.
Italy
In Italy, education is compulsory from the age of 6 to the age of 16. On parents' demand, children can start the Scuola primaria (see below) one year earlier.
Educazione Infantile:
- Asilo nido: 3 months â€" 3 years
- Scuola d'infanzia: 3 years â€" 5 years
Scuola primaria (informally: Scuola Elementare):
- I elementare: 6â€"7
- II elementare: 7â€"8
- III elementare: 8â€"9
- IV elementare: 9â€"10
- V elementare: 10â€"11
Scuola secondaria di primo grado (informally: Scuola Media):
- I media â€" 11â€"12
- II media â€" 12â€"13
- III media â€" 13â€"14
Scuola secondaria di secondo grado (informally: Scuola Superiore):
- biennio
- I superiore â€" 14â€"15
- II superiore â€" 15â€"16
- triennio
- III superiore â€" 16â€"17
- IV superiore â€" 17â€"18
- V superiore â€" 18â€"19
Japan
In Japan, the years are organized in three stages and renumbered within each stage: 6 years in elementary school (å°å¦æ ¡, shÅgakkÅ) years 1 to 6, then 3 years in lower secondary (ä¸å¦æ ¡, chÅ«gakkÅ) years 1 to 3, then 3 years in higher secondary (高ç‰å¦æ ¡, kÅtÅgakkÅ, abbreviated é«˜æ ¡, kÅkÅ) years 1 to 3. The first nine years (elementary 1â€"6 and lower secondary 1â€"3) are compulsory, and the years in higher secondary school are voluntary. Completing higher secondary education or attaining an equivalent level is required before one may receive higher education at universities (大å¦, daigaku).
Malaysia
Compulsory education in Malaysia spans a period of 11 years and comprises both primary and secondary education. Kindergarten is optional.
Malaysian primary school consists of six years of education, referred to as Year 1 to Year 6 (formerly Standard 1 to Standard 6). Year 1 â€" 3 are classified as Level One (Tahap Satu in Malay) while Year 4 â€" 6 make up Level Two (Tahap Dua). Primary schooling usually begins at the age of 7 and ends at 12. Students take their first national examination, the UPSR, towards the end of the Year 6 school year. Performance in the UPSR has no effect on their resuming schooling; all students continue with their secondary education after leaving primary school.
Secondary schooling usually begins at age 13. Secondary schools offer education for a total of five years, starting with Form 1 and finishing at Form 5. Forms 1 â€" 3 are grouped together into the "Lower Form" and Forms 4 & 5 are considered the "Upper Form". Students in Form 3 will have to sit for their second national exam, the PT3. They are then streamed into sciences or humanities classes for the Upper Form according to their performance in this exam. At age 17 students in Form 5 sit for the final level of national examinations, the SPM (Malaysian Certificate of Education). Achieving a passing grade in the Bahasa Melayu (Malay Language) portion of the exams is compulsory; failure results in an automatic failing grade for all subjects taken in the examination and the student is held back to repeat Form 5. Completion of the examination signifies that the student has completed formal education in Malaysia; an SPM certificate remains the base requirement to secure most jobs in Malaysia.
After the SPM, students have a choice of either continuing with Form 6 (which comprises 2 years, Lower and Upper Six) or entering matriculation (pre-university programs). If they opt for Form 6, they will be required to take the STPM examination. Although generally taken by those desiring to attend public universities in Malaysia, an STPM certification is internationally recognized and may also be used, though rarely required, to enter private local universities for undergraduate courses.
Nepal
In Nepal, the stages of education are primary education, secondary education, and higher secondary. Pre-primary education is also found in some areas. Generally, the pre-primary level covers nursery and kindergarten. Primary education consists of grades one through five, while lower secondary education covers grades six through eight and secondary education covers grades nine through ten. Higher secondary covers grades eleven and twelve. Students get Secondary Education Examination certificate in grade ten. According to the new Education Act, the national grade 12 Examination will result in the School Leaving Certificate (SLC).
New Zealand
In New Zealand children are required by law to attend 10 years of educational instruction, from the age of 6 to 16. The law also provides in the same legislation that all people are allowed to attend free education to the age of 18, this legislation is the Education Act 1989. Children enroll at primary school when they turn five years old. From years 1â€"6 students attend primary school. In years 7 and 8 students attend intermediate, or a joint school (years 1â€"8 or years 7â€"13). The final years of free education are spent in secondary school (years 9â€"13). New Zealand also has two older educational stage-numbering systems; standards 5 & 6 were largely unused with the introduction of intermediate schools in the 1950s, while "primmer" numbering was in use well into the 1970s, and some academically focused secondary schools still use "form" numbering.
Primary school (sometimes includes up to year 8):
Intermediate school:
Secondary school:
Norway
In Norway children start school at the age of six; before that kindergarten is voluntary. This school is called barneskole (childrenschool):
- 6â€"7: First grade
- 7â€"8: Second grade
- 8â€"9: Third grade
- 9â€"10: Fourth grade
- 10â€"11: Fifth grade
- 11â€"12: Sixth grade
- 12â€"13: Seventh grade
The second school is ungdomsskole (youth-school). At this level the students are rated with grades in each subject, in addition to behavior and orderliness:
- 13â€"14: Eighth grade
- 14â€"15: Ninth grade
- 15â€"16: Tenth grade
The last school before higher education is called videregående skole (ongoing school) and is voluntary, though most choose to attend. At this level students decide among separate career-related schools. The most popular such school is designed to prepare one for further education, while others prepare students for such as mechanics, electricians, cooks and so on. Educational stages in these schools begin again at "one" and are named Vg1, Vg2, Vg3 and Vg4. Some of the more practical schools last only two years, and some students may choose to attend an extra year to study higher education. The typical duration is three years, though some schools offer a four-year program to enable students to engage in more athletics or gather real work experience.
- 16â€"17: Vg1
- 17â€"18: Vg2
- 18â€"19: Vg3
- 19â€"20: Vg4
Philippines
Previously in the Philippines, there are only ten years of compulsory education. School starts on the first or second week of June, while school ends in the last week of March or first week of April. There are three stages of education in the Philippines â€" elementary, junior high school, and senior high school. The original ten years of compulsory education, was raised to twelve years of education. This policy was implemented in June, 2012. Here is the table:
Russia
In Russia, compulsory education lasts eight or nine years and begins the year the child turns seven (8 years) or, sometimes, six (9 years). The first stage of elementary school can last either 3 years (so called 1â€"3 programme for children starting at the age of 7) or 4 years (so called 1â€"4 programme for children starting at the age of 6). After of the first stage all pupils enter 5th grade, thus pupils that started at the age of 7 do not attend the 4th grade.
While it is not compulsory to remain in school after graduating from middle school, a student cannot progress to tertiary school without graduating from high school or vocational school.
Singapore
In Singapore, compulsory education lasts ten years and begins the year the child turns seven. However, most children receive a preschool education spanning two to three years before entering primary school after which they will move on to a secondary school.
While it is not compulsory to remain in school after graduating from secondary school, most go on to receive their tertiary education at a junior college, a polytechnic, or an institute of technical education (ITE) before moving on to university.
Sweden
In Sweden children start school at the age of seven; before that preschool is voluntary. It is unusual to skip a year of "preschool class", with most children attending at age six.
- 6â€"7: Preschool class (Förskoleklass)
First set of grades are called "lågstadiet" (low grades).
- 7â€"8: "ettan" (First Grade)
- 8â€"9: "tvÃ¥an" (Second Grade)
- 9â€"10: "trean" (Third grade)
Second set of grades are called "mellanstadiet" (middle grades).
- 10â€"11: "fyran" (Fourth grade)
- 11â€"12: "femman" (Fifth grade)
- 12â€"13: "sexan" (Sixth grade)
Third set of grades are called "högstadiet" (high grades).
- 13â€"14: "sjuan" (Seventh grade)
- 14â€"15: "Ã¥ttan" (Eighth grade)
- 15â€"16: "nian" (Ninth grade)
The last school before higher education is called "gymnasiet" (ongoing school) and is voluntary, though most choose to attend. At this level students decide among separate career-related schools. Some of the more practical schools last only two years, and some students may choose to attend an extra year to study higher education. The typical duration is three years, though some schools offer a four-year program to enable students to engage in more athletics or gather real work experience.
- 16â€"17: "första ring" (First Level)
- 17â€"18: "andra ring" (Second Level)
- 18â€"19: "tredje ring" (Third Level)
- 19â€"20: "fjärde ring" (Fourth Level)
United Kingdom
England and Wales
In England and Wales education is divided into two stages: primary education and secondary education. Required assessment within the National Curriculum takes place in years 2 and 6 (National Curriculum assessments) and Year 11 (GCSEs). School education is generally followed by two years of further education â€" often in a 6th form or 6th form college and then three or four years at university by those who decide to stay in education.
Children begin school either in the school year or school term in which they reach their fifth birthday. Primary schools educate children from Reception through to Year 6, and may be subdivided into infant and junior schools. Alternatively, children may attend private prep schools.
Secondary education is compulsory to the age of 16. Schools have various possible names, such as grammar, comprehensive and secondary schools, which may or may not indicate selective admission or tuition fees (see main article). 6th form|6th form education is not compulsory at present, and not all secondary schools have a 6th form. There are also 6th form colleges just for Year 12 and 13 students.
Some secondary schools still use the 'form' system, with Year 7 being 1st Form (or "1st year"), Year 8 being Second Form, et cetera, up until Year 12 and Year 13, which together make up the 6th Form (namely lower and upper sixth form). Some independent schools use other naming systems.
In some areas in England, a three-tier system of education is used, in which students pass through three stages: First school/Lower school (Reception to Year 3/4), Middle school (Year 4/5 to Year 7/8) and finally High or Upper School (Year 8/9â€"Year 13)
Scotland
In Scotland, education is divided into two stages: primary education and secondary education. Primary education is delivered almost exclusively through primary schools which offer education for pupils aged between 4 and 12. Children are entitled to pre-school education from their third birthday, and must enter compulsory education from the August after their 5th birthday. There is some leeway in the starting date or pupils.
Education lasts 7 years in the primary school, before pupils move to a secondary school for between 4 and 6 years, the last two being optional. There is some variation in the phasing of education in more remote areas of Scotland, where provision may be made in a through school, or in other combinations of institutes.
United States
In the United States the grades traditionally begin at 1 and run to 12; they are referred to by ordinal number (e.g. "third grade"). An additional preceding level called kindergarten is now standard in most areas, and a further preceding level called preschool education or nursery school is not uncommon. In some parts of the state of Wisconsin, kindergarten is split further into junior and senior kindergarten.
Before the term "middle school" became much more commonly applied, grades 7â€"8 were placed in "junior high school".
At the secondary school level, grades 9â€"12 are also known as freshman (or "first-year"), sophomore, junior, and senior. At the post-secondary level (college or university), these terms are used almost exclusively to refer to what would otherwise be grades 13â€"16.
This table outline the ages, in years, of each grade level in the US. However, students are sometimes older because of grade retention or younger because of grade skipping.
See also
- Multi-age classroom
- Education by country
- United Nations Human Development Index
References
