In the
American education system, often used
synonymously with
elementary school, prior to the mid
1980's,
grade school spanned first grade through
sixth grade. After attending
grade school/
elementary school, a
student when then attend
junior high, or
middle school for
seventh grade through
ninth grade.
Tenth grade through
twelve grade were covered in
high school.
Beginning in the eighties, many school systems began changing this system, and most have adopted one of the following separation of grades:
- 1-6 / 7-9 / 10-12 (original)
- 1-5 / 6-8 / 9-12
- 1-8 / 9-12
There is still much
debate over the grouping of these ages, especially where
junior high has been
absorbed into
elementary school. The
normal age range for a grade is
five and a half to
six and a half years
older than the
grade;
people who skip grades may be a year or two younger than that.
The last division lumps 6 year olds with 14 year olds in grade school, and 13 year olds with 18 year olds in high school; this later grouping has raised eyebrows among some child psychologists.