How do American schools work?

 In this article, I’m going to talk about American schools. I will explain the differences between American schools and French schools. I will also explain their system.

First of all I will talk about levels, from 2 years old to 5 years old it’s preschool or daycare, from 5 to 11 years it’s elementary school, from 11 years to 14 years it’s middle school and finally from 14 to 18 it’s high school . In American schools the middle school ends when students turn 14 whereas in France middle school finishes when they turn 15. In American high schools there is one more year than in France.

To designate a level we says grade. Now, I’m going to describe a timetable of a middle school student. Usually in the morning they start between 8 o’clock and half past 8. They finish between 3p.m and half past 3p.m. In some schools they spend ten minutes reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the day. After that, the pupils can go to their classroom. The days are divided into periods lasting 55 minutes. One day is usually divided in 6 periods. When the bell rings students have a few minutes to go to their lockers to take their books, extra clothes… or put back copybooks, books.

Then, lunch time in America is shorter than in France. Students have 30 or 45 minutes maximum to eat at the canteen (self service) or they can take a lunch box .

Around half past three, the school day is finished and the pupils can go home by bus.

Some of them stay because they do activities. For example they go to the library, work on a project. They can also go to one of their many clubs or sports team.

In high schools, students have a prom at the end of the year. They can go to prom with their friend, boy/girl friend … if somebody invites them they must wear nice clothes (for girls it’s a dress and for boys it’s a suit) . Usually the prom takes place in the gymnasium and when they arrive the photographer takes pictures of them to keep a memory. At the end of the prom they elect a king and a queen of the prom.

 

Then at the end of the year there is also the graduation ceremony. Students wear a uniform with the colors of their high school. They receive their diploma and finally they throw their hat up in the air.

By Aisha  4me5