About the Educational System

The school year generally runs from September to June with a two month holiday during the summer.

Educational system in the USA and Canada

Elementary and junior high school

• Six years
• At five, children enter "kindergarten" and typically finish elementary school at fifth or sixth grade
• Years are called "grades"

• Two or three years, depending on the school system
• Also known as "Middle School"

Children usually attend a year of kindergarten at age five and then spend grades 1 to 6 at elementary school. Grades 7 through 9 are often spent at a separate junior high school, also known as middle school. The curriculum generally focuses on core academic subjects such as English, math, science and languages, as well as history, environmental and physical education subjects.

High school [Ages 14 to 17]

• Four years
• First year is called "freshman", second "sophomore", third "junior", fourth "senior"
• American students study and take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test), required for most university admissions
• Earn a nationally-recognised high school diploma

From the ages of 14 to 17, students attend four years of high school, during which they gain a deeper understanding of their core junior high school subjects. At this point, students are often able to choose electives in different subject areas. University-bound American students must pass a nationwide entrance examination known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). However, international students usually need only to prove their English proficiency with a TOEFL score.

Community Colleges [Ages 18+]

• Two years
• Years are divided into two terms or "semesters"
• An Associates degree is awarded upon completion
• Can transfer almost all credits to a four-year program, leaving only two or three years remaining for a Bachelors degree

Community Colleges provide college courses for recent high school graduates. These schools generally have fewer admissions requirements than four-year institutions and courses typically cost less than comparable courses at four-year schools. Community Colleges offer students a two-year Associates degree and credits are transferable to university if a student wishes to continue on and receive their Bachelors degree. Many students choose Community Colleges as a springboard to a four-year college or university.

University/College [Ages 18+]

• Two to four years
• Years are divided in semesters, trimesters and quarters
• An Associates or Bachelors degree is awarded upon completion
• Students take general education subjects, as well as specialised courses towards their major

Bachelors degrees at universities
At the undergraduate level, students in the USA and Canada generally pursue a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program for four years. University entrance requirements for international students usually include demonstrated English proficiency. International students can attend EF University Preparation Programs Prep’s University Foundation Year in order to achieve the necessary language level and to progress directly to university, guaranteed.

Graduate degrees
Graduate degree programs are offered in North America for Masters degrees (MA, MSc or MBA) and Doctoral degrees (PhD). Masters programs generally last from one year (coursework program) to two years (research program). However, Doctoral degree programs typically require additional advanced study. MBA degrees generally require one to two years and candidates will need at least one year of managerial-level work experience as well as a Bachelors degree to be considered for entrance to most programs.