Educational stage


Educational stages are subdivisions of formal learning, typically covering early childhood education, primary education, secondary education and tertiary education. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recognizes nine levels of education in its International Standard Classification of Education system through Level 8 ). UNESCO's International Bureau of Education maintains a database of country-specific education systems and their stages. Some countries divide levels of study into grades or forms for school children in the same year.

Organization

during childhood and early adulthood is typically provided through either a two- or three-stage system of childhood school, followed by additional stages of higher education or vocational education for those who continue their formal education:
The following table introduces the main concepts, although terms and ages may vary in different places:
AgeEducational stage2-stage system3-stage systemISCED
4–5Early childhood educationPreschoolPreschool0
5–6Early childhood educationPreschoolPreschool0
6–7Primary educationPrimary schoolElementary school1
7–8Primary educationPrimary schoolElementary school1
8–9Primary educationPrimary schoolElementary school1
9–10Primary educationPrimary schoolElementary school1
10–11Primary educationPrimary schoolElementary school1
11–12Primary educationPrimary schoolMiddle school2
12–13Primary educationPrimary schoolMiddle school2
13–14Secondary educationSecondary schoolMiddle school2
14–15Secondary educationSecondary schoolMiddle school2
15–16Secondary educationSecondary schoolMiddle school2
16–17Secondary educationSecondary schoolMiddle school2
17–18Secondary educationSecondary schoolHigh school3
-Secondary educationSecondary schoolHigh school3

For additional ISCED stages of education, see ISCED.
Sudbury schools do not use formal grade levels or educational stages. Instead, students ages 4 through 18 are intermingled in a democratic educational system, relying on a series of certifications to use equipment that may require specialized knowledge or safety procedures. These certifications are not typically restricted by age, but rather by demonstrated ability.

By country

Australia

In Australia, children undergo thirteen years of formal education, usually starting at age 4, 5 or 6, and finishing at age 17, 18 or 19. The years are numbered from "Kindergarten" to 12.

Australian Capital Territory

In the Australian Capital Territory, primary school is Kindergarten/years 1–6, high school is years 7–9, and college or Senior Secondary is years 10, 11 & 12.
YearAgesSchool
Preschool3–5Preschool
Kindergarten5–6Primary
Grade or Year 16–7Primary
Grade or Year 27–8Primary
Grade or Year 38–9Primary
Grade or Year 49–10Primary
Grade or Year 510–11Primary
Grade or Year 611–12Primary
Grade or Year 712–13Secondary
Grade or Year 813–14Secondary
Grade or Year 914–15Secondary
Grade or Year 1015–16College or
Senior Secondary
Grade or Year 1116–17College or
Senior Secondary
Grade or Year 1217–18College or
Senior Secondary

Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, primary school is Transition/years 1–6, middle school is years 7–9, and high school or Senior Secondary is years 10–12.
YearAgesSchool
Kindergarten3–5Preschool
Transition5–6Primary
Grade or Year 16–7Primary
Grade or Year 27–8Primary
Grade or Year 38–9Primary
Grade or Year 49–10Primary
Grade or Year 510–11Primary
Grade or Year 611–12Primary
Grade or Year 712–13Secondary
Grade or Year 813–14Secondary
Grade or Year 914–15Secondary
Grade or Year 1015–16Senior Secondary
Grade or Year 1116–17Senior Secondary
Grade or Year 1217–18Senior Secondary

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan GradeAgesCorrespondent in the U.S
P13–4Preschool
P24–5Pre-kindergarten

Azerbaijan GradeAgesCorrespondent in the U.S
P35–6Kindergarten
P46–7First grade
P57–8Second grade
P68–9Third grade
P79–10Fourth grade
P810–11Fifth grade

Azerbaijan GradeAgesCorrespondent in the U.S
M111–12Sixth grade
M212–13Seventh grade
M313–14Eighth grade

Azerbaijan GradeAgesCorrespondent in the U.S
M414–15Ninth grade/Freshmen
M515–16Tenth grade/Sophomore
DP116–17Eleventh grade/Junior
DP217–18Twelfth grade/Senior

Belarus

In Belarus, education is guaranteed for everyone. Primary school lasts for 4 years, but some psycho-physically challenged children study for 5 years according to a special standard. Forms 1 to 9 are considered compulsory. After completing general basic school a person can study in a special establishment to get a job. To enter a higher educational establishment a person must complete general secondary school and pass three centralized tests.
YearAgesSchool
Ясли
1–2Early
Детский сад
3–6Early
Form 16–7Primary
Form 27–8Primary
Form 38–9Primary
Form 49–10Primary
Form 510–11General basic
Form 611–12General basic
Form 712–13General basic
Form 813–14General basic
Form 914–15General basic
Form 1015–16General secondary
Form 1116–17General secondary

Brazil

In Brazil, there are three levels of basic education: "Educação Infantil", "Ensino Fundamental" and "Ensino Médio", which are generally completed by age eighteen. Basic education is designed to provide the necessary minimum knowledge for the exercise of citizenship. It also serves to develop consciousness for choosing future professions. In Brazil, after the name of the grade one may use the names "série" or "ano". The educational stages in Brazil are divided as follows:
Escola Infantil AgesCorrespondent in the U.S
Berçário0–1Nursery 1
Pré-maternal/Creche1–2Nursery 2
Maternal/Creche2–3Nursery 3
1o período 3–4Kindergarten 1
2o período 4–5Kindergarten 2
3o período 5–6Kindergarten 3

Ensino Fundamental AgesCorrespondent in the U.S
1o ano 6–7first grade
2o ano 7–8second grade
3o ano 8–9third grade
4o ano 9–10fourth grade
5o ano 10–11fifth grade
6o ano 11–12sixth grade
7o ano 12–13seventh grade
8o ano 13–14eighth grade
9o ano 14–15ninth grade

Ensino Médio AgesCorrespondent in the U.S
1a série 15–16tenth grade
2a série 16–17eleventh grade
3a série 17–18twelfth grade