Unlike most countries, the United States does not have a educational system. Instead, each state is for organizing its own system of education, but most systems have a lot in common. School is compulsory in every state, but the age up to which pupils must attend school varies. Most students do not leave school before 15, in some states 18.

Early childhood education
is generally designed for children 5 years of age or younger. Its chief is to develop habits, attitudes and that prepare pupils for school. In the U.S., more than half of all children from age 3 through age 6 attend some kind of early childhood education, mostly schools and kindergartens. Kindergartens (5-6) offer more advanced activities than nursery schools.

Elementary education
Children generally attend elementary school from age 6 or 7 to about 11 or 12. Although in most schools pupils of the same age group meet in the same , some communities have ungraded schools, where pupils from different age groups are in one . Teachers have the same pupils all day long.

Intermediate education
Since the 1960s there has been an increased emphasis on the intermediate or middle grades. Most school systems today offer special programmes for the middle grades. These middle school or junior high school programmes are designed to help students make the from elementary schools to schools. Pupils attend classes with different teachers for each subject.

Secondary education
in the United States is the responsibility of high schools. It is designed to help students become responsible members of the community and prepare them for a job or for later studies. High school receive a to show that they have completed secondary education. Many schools have four year high schools with grades 9 – 12. They offer both general and courses of study. Students who want to get a job immediately choose vocational courses whereas others, who want to go on to a college or university, take courses.

Higher education
is education beyond high school. More than half of all high school graduates in the United States get some kind of advanced schooling. Most of these are privately owned and operated. Many of the publicly owned institutions are state universities.

These schools include , technical institutes, universities and professional schools. Community colleges, or junior colleges, sometimes offer a two year programmes in both general and education. Afterwards students get an associate’s – a certificate that shows a student has undergone specialized training. Colleges and universities provide a wide section of studies that lead to a bachelor’s degree. After a few further years of study you can attain a master’s or doctor’s degree. Most universities have special schools that provide training in business, law, medicine etc...