The American system of school education differs from the systems in other countries. There are state public schools, private elementary schools and private secondary schools. Public schools are free and private schools are fee-paying.

All pupils go to school on a special bus

In America children go to school from 6 to 16. The programme of studies in the school includes English, Arithmetic, Geography, History of the USA, Natural sciences and, besides, Physical Training, Singing, Drawing, wood or metal work, etc. Sometimes they learn a foreign language and general history.

At the end of every school year all children take a test. If a child does well, he goes into the next grade. If he doesn`t do well, he has to repeat the grade.

Score Percentage A 90% -100% B 80% -89% C 70% -79% D 65% -69% E (F) 64% and below

In the U.S.A., school uniforms are worn only in the most prestigious private schools

Some schools have modern teaching equipment, but there are small country schools with just one classroom

At the end of their time of school, more students get a high school diploma. If they want to go to college, they take college admission tests