School-Age Children
In the United States, children between the ages of 5 and 16 are required to attend school. You may enroll your children in public schools free of charge. The school your children will attend is determined by where you live, unless you choose to enroll them in a private school. To start your children in school you will need their birth certificates, school records or transcripts, and documented proof of immunizations from a physician noting the day, month, and year of each immunization. Each state has its own requirements for immunizations.
Your child will want to take a look at his or her new school before school starts. This simple step can be very important in helping your child make an adjustment to a new school. You can arrange an appointment at your child’s school by simply calling or going to the school.
Elementary school includes kindergarten (age 5) and usually grades 1 through 6. This is followed by junior high school, or middle school, which usually includes grades 7 and 8 or grades 6 through 8. High school covers grades 9 through 12. The school year generally begins in September and ends in June. To alleviate overcrowding, some school districts have initiated a year-long program in which classes are held for periods of 45, 60, or 90 days, with each period of classes followed by a long vacation break.
Private schools are common in the United States. Because they receive no financial support from the government, tuition and fees can be very expensive. Private schools are listed in the yellow pages of the telephone book and in directories available from libraries. The Advisory Service on Private Schools and Colleges, 18 East 41st Street, New York, New York 10017, can provide more information.
Parents are expected to participate in the affairs of their child’s school. Most schools have a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) that meets regularly during the school year to discuss school matters ranging from curriculum to budgets. Parent-teacher conferences held several times a year offer parents an opportunity to meet privately with teachers to discuss their child’s progress. Finally, volunteering at your child’s school to help in the classroom or with after-school activities is a good way to become involved in your child’s school and to meet people in the area.
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