Secondary school facts for kids
A secondary school is a place where students go to learn after primary school. It's also the name for the education you get there, called secondary education. Some secondary schools teach both younger and older students. Others might have separate schools for different age groups. For example, in the United States, there are middle schools and high schools.
Secondary schools usually prepare students for job training or university. In most countries, students must attend school until they are about 16 years old. The names for these schools and how they are set up can be different in each country.
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What is a Secondary School?
Secondary schools are the next step after primary school. They help students get ready for their future. This might mean preparing for a specific job or for more learning at a college or university.
In many places, going to secondary school is required by law. Students usually have to attend until they reach a certain age, often around 16. This is called compulsory education.
Secondary School Around the World
The way secondary schools work can be different depending on where you live. Here are some examples from different countries:
Secondary School in Australia
In Australia, students typically start secondary school when they are 12 years old. They usually finish when they are 16 or 18. This depends on whether they complete years 11 and 12. Students move up a year level (or grade) each year they are in secondary school.
Some schools in Australia include years 11 and 12 as part of high school. Other schools might only go up to year 10. In those cases, students then go to a separate college for years 11 and 12.
Secondary School in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, students generally start secondary school at age 11. They finish when they are 16 or 18. This depends on if the school has a "sixth form." A sixth form offers education for students over 16.
Secondary School in the United States
In the United States, secondary school is often split into two parts:
- Middle school usually includes grades 6, 7, and 8. Students typically start middle school when they are 11 or 12.
- High school usually includes grades 9 through 12. Students generally start high school at age 14 and finish when they are 17 or 18.
End of Secondary School Exams
At the end of secondary school, students often take a big examination. This exam helps to show what they have learned. For example, students finishing secondary school in England take an exam called the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
Images for kids
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Camberwell High School, a public secondary school in Australia
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High school in Bratislava, Slovakia (Gamča)
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The first taxpayer-funded public school in the United States was in Dedham, Massachusetts.
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Carl-von-Ossietzky-Gymnasium, located in Görschstraße, Berlin-Pankow
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Rangpur Cadet College is one of the Cadet colleges in Bangladesh, which is quite well known for its quality Secondary and Intermediate education, along with a well-disciplined boarding system.
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Stiftsgymnasium Melk is a Roman Catholic Benedictine-run gymnasium located in Melk, Austria. The gymnasium is located within and run by the well-known monastery Melk Abbey. It was built around the 12th century and has been a public high school in its present-day format since 1707.
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