American Education System: English Vocabulary List

a place where young children, typically infants and toddlers, are cared for during the day while their parents are at work or otherwise occupied

"The nursery school accepts children aged three to four."

"The nursery school accepts children aged three to four and focuses on social skills through play."

an educational program designed to prepare children for kindergarten by providing foundational skills and socialization experiences

"The pre-kindergarten class learns letters and numbers."

"The pre kindergarten class learns letters and numbers and practices sitting still for short lessons."

a class or school that prepares four-year-old to six-year-old children for elementary school

"The kindergarten is colorful."

"My little sister started kindergarten this year and already loves her teacher and classmates."

a primary school for the first six or eight grades

"Elementary school goes from kindergarten to fifth grade."

"Elementary school goes from kindergarten to fifth grade and each student has one main classroom teacher."

an elementary school attended by children between the ages of 6 and 12

"Grade school starts early."

"The grade school students lined up outside their classroom every morning and waited for the teacher to open the door."

(in the US and Canada) a junior high school; a school for children between the ages of about 11 and 14

"Middle school includes grades six through eight."

"Middle school includes grades six through eight and students change classrooms for different subjects."

a secondary school typically including grades 9 through 12

"High school students drive themselves to school."

"High school students drive themselves to school and choose elective courses based on their career interests."

a school for students between an elementary school and a high school, typically those in the 7th and 8th grades

"Junior high school can be stressful."

"The transition from elementary school to junior high school can be difficult for students because they change classes and have multiple teachers."

a school attended by students between the ages of 14 and 18

"Senior high school prepares students."

"She is in senior high school now and plans to apply to university."

an educational institution at the highest level, where we can study for a degree or do research

"The university has a large library."

"She studies at a university in London."