Education and Schools in the USA

Compulsory education in the US begins at the age of five when a child enters Kindergarten, but most children attend Preschool from the age of three or four. While Kindergarten falls under the public education system and is therefore free, preschools are run privately, and parents will be expected to pay fees.

The schooling system varies quite considerably from state to state in the US. Generally, in most school districts, the system is divided into three levels:

• Elementary school – Kindergarten to Grade 5
• Middle school – Grade 6 to Grade 8
• High school – Grade 9 to Grade 12

In most states, it's compulsory for children to attend school until at least the age of 16, but children will usually continue their education until they graduate. In other states, schooling is mandatory until the end of high school.

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Public schools in the USA

Expat students will be eligible to attend a public school in their local area. The registration process is straightforward. As public schools in the US are largely funded by property taxes, wealthier suburbs tend to be home to better-equipped schools with superior facilities.

While public education is free for the most part, there are some fees associated with public schools, including the purchase of books, equipment and uniforms. These fees vary from state to state and between schools themselves.

While the standard of public education in the States varies dramatically, there are a number of advantages for parents who opt to utilise this system. Firstly, costs are minimal and well below the cost of a private or international school education. Secondly, as school placement is determined by geographical location, the public school system allows children to attend a school close to home, meaning they tend to have more interaction with local children in the neighbourhood.

For expats planning on relocating to the US long term, having their children attend a public school is likely to allow them to mix with a wider, more varied and representative sample of American children.

Charter schools

Charter schools are public schools that operate on a performance-based contract with the local school district. They have more flexibility and are beholden to fewer rules and regulations from the state. This enables them to provide a more individualised education.

Charter schools in the US are a popular option, and waiting lists can often be lengthy. Many charter schools operate admission lotteries to ensure that the allocation of resources is fair.

Magnet schools

Magnet schools are free public elementary and secondary schools that focus on a particular area of the curriculum, such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), Performing Arts, International Studies or World Languages. These schools do, however, still cover all subject areas.

Most magnet schools in the US do not have entrance criteria but instead embody a belief that all students have interests and talents that can be better cultivated at a magnet school with a more focused subject base. There are a few exceptions to this, however, such as auditions when applying for entry to magnet schools specialising in a skill-based subject area such as music.

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Private schools in the USA

Generally, the standard of education in American private schools is better than that of public schools. Private schools in the US needn't conform to government educational directives, and therefore teachers have more flexibility and opportunity to customise the curriculum and implement a variety of teaching styles.

Because of the higher fees charged by private schools, these institutions tend to afford greater extra-curricular opportunities to their students. They can also offer greater support to students with special needs.

Unlike public schools, securing a place at a private school in the US is not determined by geographical location. Children from outside the local area may be granted a place at the school, and private schools often have boarding facilities.

Expat parents hoping to send their child to one of the more popular US private schools should be aware that competition for places can be stiff, and schools can be highly selective about the students they accept.

In certain states, there are also private schools that are religious institutions. If a child meets the entry requirements for a school with a religious affiliation, parents will find that fees at such schools are considerably cheaper. Some religious schools are willing to accept students from other faiths.

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International schools in the USA

The majority of expats who only plan to stay in the US for a few years opt to send their children to international schools. These schools follow a foreign curriculum, allowing for a smoother transition into life in America. International schools can be found in all of the USA's major cities, including New York City, Boston, Washington DC and Los Angeles.

Expats hoping to send their child to an international school should be aware that the most highly acclaimed schools have long waiting lists, so applications should be made well in advance. Fees at international schools can be extremely high, so we advise expats to check costs and ensure that their budget can accommodate this expense before committing.

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Homeschooling in the USA

Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular in the US. Parents who choose homeschooling for their children often do so because of the flexibility it offers. Some feel that homeschooling provides a more natural atmosphere for children, where study and play can be adjusted to suit the individual needs of each student.

When it comes to homeschooling, state regulations vary, and parents are advised to consult the state's curriculum to ensure that they cover all the required subjects. Parents sometimes choose to teach the child themselves, and others prefer to hire a private tutor. 

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Special-needs education in the USA

America's education system is well equipped to provide for students with learning and developmental disabilities. There are multiple federal laws in place to ensure that children with disabilities have fair access to quality education at no cost, regardless of state.

Both public and private schools usually have special programmes in place to support students with learning difficulties. In cases where a person's disability is too severe for them to benefit from mainstream education, there are special education facilities that are able to offer students a special-needs programme tailored to meet their specific requirements.

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Tutors in the USA

Whether a child has fallen behind in maths class or is in need of additional support to excel in their college entrance exams, there are plenty of private tutors in most American cities.

It's wise to start by asking the child's school or other parents in the area for a recommendation. Alternatively, one could utilise the services of established tutoring companies. These companies offer an array of packages, from subject-specific intensive programmes to one-on-one home tuition and small group sessions. 

Enlisting the services of a private tutor is an excellent opportunity for students to address any gaps in their knowledge, excel at a certain subject, or simply build confidence in their new environment.