Education in usa

In the United States there is a variety of pre-school, nursery school and kindergarten programs. The history of the kindergarten movement reveals four distinct stages in its development: the pioneer stage, having Boston as its center; the philanthropic stage, which began in the village of Florence, Massachusetts, and reached its climax in San Francisco, California; the national or strictly educational stage, which began at St.Louis; and the so-called maternal stage, which from Chicago as a center is spreading over the entire country.

During the first stage public attention was directed to a few of the most important aspects of Froebel’s teaching. During the second stage the kindergarten was valued largely as a reformatory and redemptive influence. During the third stage the kindergarten became part pf the public school system of the country. The fourth stage, which like the third, is still in existence aims at making the kindergarten a link between the school and the home.

The majority of American educationalists consider that the aim of pre-school education is the child’s individual development rather than the mastery of particular skills or academic subjects. Nursery schools and kindergartens are regarded as a means of helping children make the transition from home to school. Though kindergartens were first started as private enterprises, now they have become a part of the public schools. Also a large number of private nursery schools and kindergartens continue. It is estimated that presently over half of all five-year-old American children are enrolled in nursery schools or kindergartens.

Elementary Schools

The elementary school course is from six to nine years in length, the ordinary period being eight years. The pupils enter at about six years of age. In the cities the elementary schools are usually in session for five hours daily, except Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 9 a.m. There is an intermission, usually of an hour at midday, and short recesses during the sessions.

The program of studies in the elementary school includes English (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, composition), arithmetic(sometimes elementary algebra also, or plane geometry in the upper grades), geography, history of the USA, and elementary natural science including human physiology and hygiene. Physical training, vocal music, drawing and manual training are often taught. Sometimes a foreign language (Latin, German or French) and the study of general history are begun. Religious teaching is officially not permitted, although the exercises of the day are often opened with a reading from the Bible and the singing of a hymn.

Intermediate Education – the Junior High School

A new kind of school, the junior high school appeared about the turn of the last century. Usually it comprises grades seven, eight and nine, although sometimes it is only grades seven and eight.

In elementary schools, students remain in one classroom for instructions in all courses by one teacher, in secondary schools the students go to different rooms and teachers for different courses. The courses in elementary school are required, secondary school students have some latitude in choosing their program. There is a vast difference in the social habits of secondary school students and those of elementary school pupils.

The junior high school is a sort of halfway point between elementary and secondary school. It continues some elementary school subjects, but it also introduces courses in mathematics and science, and usually gives students their first chance to study a foreign language.

The ninth grade, although it is often physically located in the junior high school, is considered the first year of secondary school. Grades based upon a ninth grade student’s work are included in the credentials presented for college and university admission.