If you and your family have just migrated to the United States, there is a lot to take in all at once. The government wants to help legalized immigrants settle into American life, and this includes sending your children to school. In almost every state, there is a compulsory education law for children between the ages of 5 and 16. Children must complete kindergarten through twelfth grade and receive a high school diploma under most circumstances. Your state department of education can help to clarify any laws about school attendance that may affect your children. You can send your child to a public or private school. Under some conditions you may be able to homeschool your children, as well. Regardless of the method you choose, it is important that your children are well-taught, and are given the opportunity to make new friends in a social setting.
Public schools are normally free and do not offer religious instruction. They are regulated by the state, and financed through your federal, state, and local taxes. These schools are normally the most economic choice, and are able to facilitate your child with a monitored education and a variety of extra-curricular activities. Almost every public school is coeducational, meaning that boys and girls attend classes together. If you would prefer a private, religious school, then you will need to pay a tuition fee to send your child to this institution. Some of these schools are coeducational while others are all boys or all girls classrooms.
In America, the school system divides children up into 12 grades that correspond with your child's age and intellect. Normally, parents put their children in 1st grade at age six, and they progress one grade every year until they complete high school at age 18. School systems allow some flexibility in the grade promotions. Some children will excel particularly fast and graduate from high school years early. Other children will stay in a grade for an extra year in order to best serve their learning capabilities. If your child is from a different country and is not culturally or linguistically acquainted with the American school system, then teachers may suggest that he or she is placed in a younger grade than most children his or her age.
Many times, schools will issue your child a test to gauge his or her level of education. Most US schools organize their grades into three sections: elementary school, junior high school, and high school. In most public school districts, there are separate institutions for children in each of these sections of schooling. The elementary school children range from kindergarten to fifth or sixth grade. They are separated into classrooms corresponding to their grade level. In Junior high, children in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade are sent to another school where they are divided up into grades. Teenagers in ninth through twelfth grade are sent to another establishment.
American school years normally begin in August and end in May or June. There is usually time out in the school year for a Christmas break, and children are given the whole summer off. While this is the norm, there are other institutions which instigate year-round school. Most schools hold classes Monday through Friday. To enroll your child in an American school, you will probably need to visit the school district's main office. Tell the staff your child's age and your address and they will be able to locate the best public school near you. To enroll your child in school, you will need to provide his or her medical records. Because you are from another country, the school will be very strict on the fact that your child will need certain immunizations. This will protect them from sicknesses. You will need to visit a doctor to get these shots if your child has not received them already.
If your child does not speak English, then he or she may be put into an ESL (English as a Second Language) class or given a bilingual education. Your local school district office can give you information about placement testing for children who do not speak English. If your child has not attended school before coming the United States, then he or she is free to attend until the age of 21 (in most cases.) If he or she still needs more time to graduate them he or she will be able to enroll in adult education classes to get a General Education Development diploma in the place of a high school diploma. For more information about the local schools in your area, contact the local school district office.