American Schooling

[the millster]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what age equates to what grade in America, I only ask as I'm trying to find some worksheets for my step children and I've found a great American site but I don't know what grade to go for! The childrens ages are 7 and 9, if that helps you! Any help would be appreciated!

[Buenchico]

Compulsory school education starts at age 6 in the USA rather than age 5 as it does in the UK. So their 'grades' are one year behind our 'years'.

So a child who is 6 at the start of the school year would be in US Grade 1 or UK Year 2. A child who is 7 at the start of the school year would be in US Grade 2 or UK Year 3.

If your 7-year-old step child had his/her 7th birthday before 1st September 2006, he/she is in UK Year 3 (US Grade 2). If he/she had his/her 7th birthday on or after 1st September 2006, he/she is in UK Year 2 (US Grade 1).

If the 9-year-old had his/her 9th birthday before 1st September 2006, he/she is in UK Year 5 (US Grade 4). If he/she had his/her 9th birthday on or after 1st September 2006, he/she is in UK Year 4 (US Grade 3).

Chris

[aviator]

What sort of worksheets are you after??

[Clanad]

In addition to Chris' as usual excellent answer, kindergarten, for children who have reached their 5th birthday has become a de facto compulsory year as well. time was when kindergarten (or garden) was electable since it was paid for by the parents seperately from the usual tax supported school system. Additionally, pre-school classes of usually half a day are contracted by the parents in the hopes of giving their kids a leg-up in the system... Many children start this course at the age of 4...

[annie0000]

Scuse my ignorance here, but surely the age is irrelevant - children in first grade in the US will cover roughly the same level of work as children in primary 1 in the UK. But, it is difficult to compare - school sylabuses will be different between England and Scotland never mind between here and the US. IMO the education system here is better than the US, so you may need to go up a grade or two to get appropriate work. If you need extra worksheets, I would ask their teachers or use the books you buy here for extra maths, english, writing, spelling etc. they are usually pretty clear in the appropriate age range and generally only cost a pound or so from the supermarket