Basic Schooling information in US (university, tuition, county, kindergarten)

[ffire]

Could someone give me a run down on the school system in the US?

Here in Australia we have

5yrs - Start Primary school
13yrs - High School
18+ optional university.

Uni is 'free' in the sense you get student loans to study and pay it back through your tax. Primary and High School are free (almost) if at public school, and private schools cost more (a wide range of fees). Generally you can go to a public school if you are in the zoned area, but sometimes exceptions are made.

What hot tips do I need to know about the school system?

[Spazkat9696]

Pretty much the same here. At 5 you enter kindergarten. Kindergarten - 12th grade are free at a public school. The public school you attend is determined by your residence. Collage/University is optional, and can be paid for with cash, prepaid tuition, 529 plans, loans, grants and scholarships.

Grades
k-5 elementary school
6-8 middle school
9-12 high school

in some ares it's
K - 5 elementary
7-9 Jr. high school
10-12 high school

[Padgett2]

Some areas are trying a new set up. In our area, we will have K-4, 5-8 and 9-12 will be high school. There is also a Pre-Kindergarten program that is not mandatory.

Some schools will be designated as "special" schools for special emphasis on subjects like art and music.

How the schools are actually set up depends on how that particular county, in that particular State wants to do it. There is no set rule for the entire USA.

[ffire]

Thanks