Secondary education in the United States
In education in the United States, secondary education usually covers grades 6 or 7 through twelve.The first portion, middle school or junior high school, covers grades 6 through 8, while the second level, known as senior high school, generally consists of grades 9 through 12, though this may vary slightly by school district.
In some areas, high school starts with tenth grade and middle/junior high starts with seventh grade; a few American high schools still cover grades 7 through 12. American students are allowed to leave high school at age 16-18, depending on the state, or when they graduate or go on to college or other education. This school-leaving age is usually in grade 10 or 11 if the standard curriculum has been followed throughout life, without skipping grades or being held back. Thus, the last two years of high school are not compulsory, but most students complete high school and receive a diploma. A high school diploma or GED is generally required for entrance into a college or university, but many colleges accept a small number of students after eleventh grade.
U.S. law mandates school attendance until graduation or age 16, but enforcement of the truancy laws is sporadic. Conversely, students who have failed a grade may remain in high school past the age of 18, if they have not graduated on time.
Secondary schooling is mainly provided by public schools (which would be known as state schools in Britain), however there are also private schools, religious schools, and within the public system, special charter schools and magnet schools in some areas. A magnet school might take any qualifed student from throughout the city and teach a specialized curiculum emphasizing college preparatory work or fine arts.
Usually grades are classified with the following names with their corresponding grades: Freshman(9th), Sophomore(10th), Junior(11th), Senior (12th)
Compare: Primary education in the United States