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American Education System

In the United States, unlike Korea, public education policy is decentralized. School districts and state governments generally set education policy, standards and curriculum for all levels of primary and secondary education. As a result, standards can vary considerably from state to state and even among school districts within a state. 

As nationally accredited universities tend to have common high school education requirements, most college preparatory high schools (public and private) do have similar curricula but often have substantial variations in standards, and grading notation, policy, and ranking.

The U.S. school year starts in August or September thru the following May or June and is generally eight months in length. 85% of students attend public schools administered by school districts, 10% of students attend private schools, and remaining 5% are home schooled or receive alternative education. Children typically start school  around ages five or six. Students typically begin in pre-kindergarten, then attend 12 grades of study over 12 calendar years where Elementary, Middle and High School correspond to Grades 1 thru 5 or 6, Grades 6 or 7 thru 8, and Grades 9 thru 12 respectively.

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