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9. Living in the USA

The USA at a Glance

Education in the USA

With a good school, even expat children will feel right at home.

Education is administrated on three levels. The U.S. Department of Education operates on the federal level, but effectively cedes the main educational authority to the various State Departments of Education. The latter might devolve much of their powers to local or district authorities and their elected Boards of Education.

School is compulsory for all children living in the USA. Most of them attend school from the age of five to the age of 18. Younger children can be sent to nursery or pre-school, but there are no government-sponsored childcare facilities.

The School System

A child´s educational progress is divided into

• elementary school (grade 1 to grade 5 or 6)
• middle school or junior high (up to grade 8 or 9)
• high school or senior high (up to grade 12)

While high school is designed to prepare children for university, the High School Diploma doesn´t automatically grant access to a higher education institution. Further tests may be required.

Successful high school alumni then go on to college, where they study four years in order to obtain their Bachelor degree. Further studies leading to a Master degree or beyond are continued at university.

There are a number of very prestigious universities across the USA, especially the Ivy League Universities such as Harvard or Yale. Places at these institutions are, however, in very high demand and the tuition is quite high. The U.S. Network of Education Information will be able to assist with the recognition of overseas qualifications.

Schooling for Expat Children

Expats in the USA have the choice of sending their children to public (=state) schools or private schools. Children are free to attend public schools, but given the lack of a nationwide curriculum and funding plan, standards can vary greatly from region to region or even from school to school.

Before enrolling their child at a local public school, parents should gather as much information as possible. Internet research and contacting the local school district are a good way to start.

Estate agents also offer valuable information. Most of them can provide dossiers about a particular neighborhood in order to assist potential customers with their decision of where to live. Try to arrange a visit to the nearest schools and talk to some of the staff.

Private and International Schools

There are plenty of private schools available, including international schools and boarding schools. While they are usually very good, they are also rather expensive. International schools offer the International Baccalaureate and might be better suited for children planning to attend university outside the US.

The International Baccalaureate Organization´s website has a comprehensive list of all such schools in the USA, while Peterson´s offers help with finding private schools.

Some expats choose a normal public school rather than an international school, especially for their younger children. The National Center for Education Statistics offers a search tool for both public and private schools. It is also far from uncommon to engage the services of a professional educational consultant.

Homeschooling is an increasingly popular option across the USA. It is legal in all states, and every local school district should be able to provide information on educational aids for parents and students.