American Education

Overview

Switzerland prides itself in having what they consider the best education system of any country. Education is highly valued, and it is made sure that every child gets a chance to attend school through a high level.

Levels of Education

Primary School

Primary School is made up of five to six years depending on the district in which students are taught the core subjects.

Secondary School

Junior High: This consists of another three to four years in which the core subjects are strengthened and standardized testing becomes more of a focus.
High School: This is the final four years of basic education. In these levels, students are able to refine their studies to begin narrowing in on their interests. These years are vital in preparation for further schooling.

Post-Secondary Education

After graduating high school, students have the option to go on to a college or university in order to continue their education. However, unlike the previous levels this is not provided for all students.

School System

The most common schools to attend are public schools, run by the local school district and school board. However, private, charter, and magnet schools are also nationally available. Home schooling is also an option. Students are required in most states to attend school through ages 17 or 18.

Testing

Testing is a very large aspect of the education system. From grades 3 to 8 state mastery tests are often given. However, these are in order to make judgements on the school systems themselves as a reference point rather than the students. After this, students have the option to take the ACTs and SATs which serve as a part of the application process to higher levels of education.

Students are most commonly scored by the use of GPAs (grade point average) in which all classes through high school are averaged together to find a number ranging for 0 to 4.

Renowned Universities