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

Education 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:

Early childhood education at preschool, nursery school, or kindergarten
Primary education at primary school or elementary school, and sometimes in the early years of middle school
Secondary education at secondary school or high school, and sometimes in the later years of middle school
Higher education or vocational education

The following table introduces the main concepts, although terms and ages may vary in different places:

Age	Educational stage	2-stage system	3-stage system	ISCED
4–5	Early childhood education	Preschool	Preschool	0
5–6	Early childhood education	Preschool	Preschool	0
6–7	Primary education	Primary school	Elementary school	1
7–8	Primary education	Primary school	Elementary school	1
8–9	Primary education	Primary school	Elementary school	1
9–10	Primary education	Primary school	Elementary school	1
10–11	Primary education	Primary school	Elementary school	1
11–12	Primary education	Primary school	Middle school	2
12–13	Primary education	Primary school	Middle school	2
13–14	Secondary education	Secondary school	Middle school	2
14–15	Secondary education	Secondary school	Middle school	2
15–16	Secondary education	Secondary school	Middle school	2
16–17	Secondary education	Secondary school	Middle school	2
17–18	Secondary education	Secondary school	High school	3
-	Secondary education	Secondary school	High school	3

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 (ACT), primary school is Kindergarten/years 1–6, high school is years 7–9, and college or Senior Secondary is years 10, 11 & 12.

Year	Ages	School
Preschool	3–5	Preschool
Kindergarten	5–6	Primary
Grade or Year 1	6–7	Primary
Grade or Year 2	7–8	Primary
Grade or Year 3	8–9	Primary
Grade or Year 4	9–10	Primary
Grade or Year 5	10–11	Primary
Grade or Year 6	11–12	Primary
Grade or Year 7	12–13	Secondary
Grade or Year 8	13–14	Secondary
Grade or Year 9	14–15	Secondary
Grade or Year 10	15–16	College or Senior Secondary
Grade or Year 11	16–17	College or Senior Secondary
Grade or Year 12	17–18	College or Senior Secondary

Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory (NT), primary school is Transition/years 1–6, middle school is years 7–9, and high school or Senior Secondary is years 10–12.

Year	Ages	School
Kindergarten	3–5	Preschool
Transition	5–6	Primary
Grade or Year 1	6–7	Primary
Grade or Year 2	7–8	Primary
Grade or Year 3	8–9	Primary
Grade or Year 4	9–10	Primary
Grade or Year 5	10–11	Primary
Grade or Year 6	11–12	Primary
Grade or Year 7	12–13	Secondary
Grade or Year 8	13–14	Secondary
Grade or Year 9	14–15	Secondary
Grade or Year 10	15–16	Senior Secondary
Grade or Year 11	16–17	Senior Secondary
Grade or Year 12	17–18	Senior Secondary

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan Grade	Ages	Correspondent in the U.S
P1	3–4	Preschool
P2	4–5	Pre-kindergarten

Azerbaijan Grade	Ages	Correspondent in the U.S
P3	5–6	Kindergarten
P4	6–7	First grade
P5	7–8	Second grade
P6	8–9	Third grade
P7	9–10	Fourth grade
P8	10–11	Fifth grade

Azerbaijan Grade	Ages	Correspondent in the U.S
M1	11–12	Sixth grade
M2	12–13	Seventh grade
M3	13–14	Eighth grade

Azerbaijan Grade	Ages	Correspondent in the U.S
M4	14–15	Ninth grade/Freshmen
M5	15–16	Tenth grade/Sophomore
DP1	16–17	Eleventh grade/Junior
DP2	17–18	Twelfth 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.

Year	Ages	School
Ясли	1–2	Early
Детский сад	3–6	Early
Form 1	6–7	Primary
Form 2	7–8	Primary
Form 3	8–9	Primary
Form 4	9–10	Primary
Form 5	10–11	General basic
Form 6	11–12	General basic
Form 7	12–13	General basic
Form 8	13–14	General basic
Form 9	14–15	General basic
Form 10	15–16	General secondary
Form 11	16–17	General 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	Ages	Correspondent in the U.S
Berçário	0–1	Nursery 1
Pré-maternal/Creche	1–2	Nursery 2
Maternal/Creche	2–3	Nursery 3
1^o período	3–4	Kindergarten 1
2^o período	4–5	Kindergarten 2
3^o período	5–6	Kindergarten 3

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

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

Canada

In Canada, schooling officially begins at Kindergarten, followed by grades, with some variations for certain levels in certain provinces/territories. When referred to as a grade, school years are usually referred to by their cardinal number.
At the post-secondary level in Canada, a student is usually referred to by the year of study they are in. If they are pursuing something higher than an undergraduate degree, the designation usually refers to what year of study they are in since entering Graduate studies. Any student who has completed their first year of undergraduate studies is considered to be an Upper Year Student.
Each province and territory has its own autonomous education system. As such, the name of each level of education and what year each level begins at will vary across the country.

Grade structure by province/territory

The following table shows how grades are organized in various provinces. Often, there will be exceptions within each province, both with terminology for groups, and which grades apply to each group.

China

In the People's Republic of China, the years are organized in three stages and renumbered within each stage: 6 years in elementary school years 1 to 6, then 3 years in middle school years 7 to 9, then 3 years in high school years 10 to 12. The first nine years are compulsory, and the years in high school are voluntary. Completing higher secondary education or attaining an equivalent level is required before one may receive higher education at universities.

Year	Ages	Stage
1st grade	6–7	Elementary
2nd grade	7–8	Elementary
3rd grade	8–9	Elementary
4th grade	9–10	Elementary
5th grade	10–11	Elementary
6th grade	11–12	Elementary
7th grade	12–13	Middle school
8th grade	13–14	Middle school
9th grade	14–15	Middle school
10th grade	15–16	High school
11th grade	16–17	High school
12th grade	17–18	High school

France

Education is compulsory from age 3 to age 16, and then compulsory training until the age of 18. This law was passed during the Macron presidency and approved the law. At the end of the lycée cursus, is the French Baccalaureat exam. It is possible in France to fail a year, and need to repeat.

Age	School	Class	Cycle
From age 3	Nursery school	TPS: Kindergarten
3–4	Nursery school	PS: Preschool class	Cycle I : First learnings
4–5	Nursery school	MS: Second preschool class	Cycle I : First learnings
5–6	Nursery school	GS: Pupil in Year 1	Cycle I : First learnings
6–7	Grammar school	CP: Pupil in Year 2	Cycle II : Fundamental learnings
7–8	Grammar school	CE1: Pupil in Year 3	Cycle II : Fundamental learnings
8–9	Grammar school	CE2: Pupil in Year 4	Cycle II : Fundamental learnings
9–10	Grammar school	CM1: Pupil in Year 5	Cycle III : Consolidation
10–11	Grammar school	CM2: Pupil in Year 6	Cycle III : Consolidation
11–12	Junior High school	Sixième	Cycle III : Consolidation
12–13	Junior High school	Cinquième	Cycle IV : Deepening
13–14	Junior High school	Quatrième	Cycle IV : Deepening
14–15	Junior High school	Troisième	Cycle IV : Deepening
15–16	Comprehensive school	Seconde
16–17	Comprehensive school	Première
17–18	Comprehensive school	Terminale

Greece

Education is compulsory from age 4 to age 15. Education is provided in public and private schools, except Higher Education which is provided only by public universities.

Grade	Age	Greek designation	Educational stage
Pre-kindergarten	4–5	Pre-kindergarten	Preschool
Kindergarten	5–6	Kindergarten	Preschool
First grade	6–7	1st grade	Primary School
Second grade	7–8	2nd grade	Primary School
Third grade	8–9	3rd grade	Primary School
Fourth grade	9–10	4th grade	Primary School
Fifth grade	10–11	5th grade	Primary School
Sixth grade	11–12	6th grade	Primary School
Seventh grade	12–13	1st grade	Gymnasium
Eighth grade	13–14	2nd grade	Gymnasium
Ninth grade	14–15	3rd grade	Gymnasium
Tenth grade	15–16	1st grade	Lyceum
Eleventh grade	16–17	2nd grade	Lyceum
Twelfth grade	17–18	3rd grade	Lyceum

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong system was based on the United Kingdom system, with zero to three optional years at kindergarten, six years of primary school and six years of secondary school, followed by four years at university. Primary 1–6 corresponds to Years 1–6 in the UK, and Forms 1 – 6 correspond to Years 7–12. Usually students begin Primary 1 at age 5 or 6 and complete Form 6 at age 17 or 18.
In Hong Kong, international schools follow the system of the country they are based upon, for example the English Schools Foundation uses the UK year system, and the French International School of Hong Kong uses the French école, collège, lycée system. Also, the English term form followed by the English number is common usage even in otherwise Cantonese conversations.

Year	Ages	Stage
Primary 1	6–7	Primary
Primary 2	7–8	Primary
Primary 3	8–9	Primary
Primary 4	9–10	Primary
Primary 5	10–11	Primary
Primary 6	11–12	Primary
Secondary 1	12–13	Secondary
Secondary 2	13–14	Secondary
Secondary 3	14–15	Secondary
Secondary 4	15–16	Secondary
Secondary 5	16–17	Secondary
Secondary 6	17–18	Secondary

India

The central and main state boards uniformly follow the "10+2+3" pattern of education. In this pattern, study of 10 years is done in schools and 2 years in Junior colleges, and then 3 years of graduation for a bachelor's degree. The first 10 years is further subdivided into 4 years of primary education, 6 years of High School followed by 2 years of Junior colleges. This pattern originated from the recommendation of the Education Commission of 1964–66.

Pre-Primary education

Play group : At play schools, children are exposed to a lot of basic learning activities that help them to get independent faster and develop their self-help qualities like eating food themselves, dressing up, and maintaining cleanliness. The age limit for admission into pre-nursery is 2 to 3 yearsNursery: Nursery level activities help children unfold their talents, thus enabling them to sharpen their mental and physical abilities. The age limit for admission in nursery is 3 to 4 years.LKG: It is also called the Junior Kindergarten stage. The age limit for admission in LKG is 4 to 5 years.UKG: It is also called the Senior Kindergarten stage. The age limit for admission in UKG is 5 to 6 years.

Primary education

The Indian government lays emphasis on primary education, also referred to as elementary education, to children aged 6 to 14 years old. Because education laws are given by the states, duration of primary school visit alters between the Indian states. The Indian government has also banned child labour in order to ensure that the children do not enter unsafe working conditions. However, both free education and the ban on child labour are difficult to enforce due to economic disparity and social conditions. 80% of all recognised schools at the elementary stage are government run or supported, making it the largest provider of education in the country.

Secondary education

Secondary education covers children aged 12 to 18, a group comprising 8.85 crore children according to the 2001 Census of India. The final two years of secondary is often called Higher Secondary , Senior Secondary, or simply the "+2" stage. The two halves of secondary education are each an important stage for which a pass certificate is needed, and thus are affiliated by central boards of education under HRD ministry, before one can pursue higher education, including college or professional courses.
UGC, NCERT, CBSE and CISCE directives state qualifying ages for candidates who wish to take board exams. Those at least 15 years old by 30 May for a given academic year are eligible to appear for Secondary board exams, and those 17 by the same date are eligible to appear for Higher Secondary certificate board exams. It further states that upon successful completion of Higher Secondary, one can apply to higher education under UGC control such as Engineering, Medical, and Business Administration.

New education policy 2020

India in 29 July approved a new education policy in order to replace the previous education system to an advanced education system. The new policy aims for universalisation of education from pre-school to secondary level with 100 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio in school education by 2030 and aims to raise GER in higher education to 50 per cent by 2025.
Key points:

The policy also proposes phasing out of all institutions offering single streams and that all universities and colleges must aim to become multidisciplinary by 2040.

Grade division and structure

Introducing 3 years of pre-schooling, the National Education Policy 2020 has taken a similar approach like Cambridge and IB, which also offer dedicated Primary Year Programs.
Dismantling the age-old 10+2 concept, the policy pitches for a "5+3+3+4" design corresponding to the age groups 3–8 years, 8–11, 11–14, and 14–18. This brings early childhood education under the umbrella of formal schooling.

School curriculum and pedagogy

According to the National Education Policy 2020, the school curriculum and pedagogy will aim for the holistic development of learners by equipping them with the key 21st-century skills. Additionally, it also aims for reduction in the syllabus to enhance essential learning and critical thinking.

Languages

The policy advocates for mother-tongue/local language/regional language as the medium of instruction at least till grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond.
Sanskrit will now be offered at all levels of school and higher education as an option for students including the 3-language formula. Other classical languages and literature of India also to be available as options. In non-Hindi states of India, students will be served as a Hindi alternative, students will have to choose between Hindi and Sanskrit. Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Punjabi, etc. languages will also be emphasized under NEP2020.
Foreign languages will also be offered to students. Languages like Japanese, Korean, Russian, etc. will be introduced to them in their secondary school. They can opt for any language they want to learn. The step has been taken to embrace global culture and emphasize a multilingualism approach.

Others

The NEP proposes sweeping changes including opening up of Indian higher education to foreign universities, dismantling of the UGC and the All India Council for Technical Education, introduction of a four-year multidisciplinary undergraduate programme with multiple exit options, and discontinuation of the M Phil programme.
In school education, the policy focuses on overhauling the curriculum, "easier" Board exams, a reduction in the syllabus to retain "core essentials" and thrust on "experiential learning and critical thinking".
The policy also proposes phasing out of all institutions offering single streams and that all universities and colleges must aim to become multidisciplinary by 2040.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, children spend 12 years of formal education, but some children attend nursery playgroup and attend kindergarten.

Age	Stage	School	Year
2–3	Pre-school	Kelompok Belajar	KB-A/KBJ
3–4	Pre-school	Kelompok Belajar	KB-B/KBS
4–5	Pre-school	Taman Kanak-kanak	TK-A
5–6	Pre-school	Taman Kanak-kanak	TK-B
6–7	Primary School	Sekolah Dasar	Kelas 1
7–8	Primary School	Sekolah Dasar	Kelas 2
8–9	Primary School	Sekolah Dasar	Kelas 3
9–10	Primary School	Sekolah Dasar	Kelas 4
10–11	Primary School	Sekolah Dasar	Kelas 5
11–12	Primary School	Sekolah Dasar	Kelas 6
12–13	Secondary School	Sekolah Menengah Pertama	Kelas 7
13–14	Secondary School	Sekolah Menengah Pertama	Kelas 8
14–15	Secondary School	Sekolah Menengah Pertama	Kelas 9
15–16	Secondary School	Sekolah Menengah Atas	Kelas 10
16–17	Secondary School	Sekolah Menengah Atas	Kelas 11
17–18	Secondary School	Sekolah Menengah Atas	Kelas 12

Iran

The Iranian system has experienced several changes in the last seven to eight decades. Prior to 1940–1950, the education system had consisted of three levels, called in order: an optional year in kindergarten, six years of primary school, finally followed by six years of secondary school ending up with a diploma. After some improvements during Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, the system was changed to four consecutive periods: two optional years in kindergarten and pre-primary school, primary school consisting of 5 years, 3 years in middle school, and finally four years in high school. The system ended up by honoring a diploma in certain majors, e.g. math and physics.
Around 1996–1997, one year was reduced from the entire education system and one was honored with a diploma after three years in high school. However, if one would have liked to continue her/his education towards university degrees, one would have been required to take the last year, so called pre-university year. This year had been a requirement to participate in the Iranian University Entrance Exam for high school students. Again, around 2012, the system turned back to its previous system, consisting of two 6-year periods.
There are two formal stages of education in Iran: primary school and high school. The high school itself is broken into 2 parts: A and B. Preschool educations are informal, therefore Grade 1 is the first year. In Grade 1 also known as the 1st class, children learn the basics of reading and writing.

Stage	School	Age
Preschool	Kindergarten	3–6
Primary school	Grade 1	7
Primary school	Grade 2	7–8
Primary school	Grade 3	8–9
Primary school	Grade 4	9–10
Primary school	Grade 5	10–11
Primary school	Grade 6	11–12
High school first term	Grade 7	12–13
High school first term	Grade 8	13–14
High school first term	Grade 9	14–15
High school second term	Grade 10	15–16
High school second term	Grade 11	16–17
High school second term	Grade 12	17–18

Ireland

In the Republic of Ireland, there are two levels of compulsory education; primary school and secondary school. The names of each class are as follows:

Junior Infants
Senior Infants
First Class
Second Class
Third Class
Fourth Class
Fifth Class
Sixth Class

After Sixth Class, students move to secondary school, entering;

First Year
Second Year
Third Year – Junior Certificate
Fourth Year
Fifth Year
Sixth Year – Leaving Certificate

In some schools, Transition Year is compulsory, in others it is optional.

Italy

In Italy, education is compulsory from the age of 6 to the age of 16. On parents' demand, children can start the Scuola primaria one year earlier.
Educazione Infantile:

Asilo nido: 3 months – 3 years
Scuola d'infanzia: 3 years – 5 years

Scuola primaria '':

I elementare: 6–7
II elementare: 7–8
III elementare: 8–9
IV elementare: 9–10
V elementare: 10–11

Scuola secondaria di primo grado :

I media – 11–12
II media – 12–13
III media – 13–14

Scuola secondaria di secondo grado '':

biennio
*I superiore – 14–15
*II superiore – 15–16
triennio
*III superiore – 16–17
*IV superiore – 17–18
*V superiore – 18–19

Japan

In Japan, the years are organized in three stages and renumbered within each stage: 6 years in elementary school years 1 to 6, then 3 years in lower secondary years 1 to 3, then 3 years in higher secondary years 1 to 3. The first nine years are compulsory, and the years in higher secondary school are voluntary. Completing higher secondary education or attaining an equivalent level is required before one may receive higher education at universities.

Year	Ages	Stage
Year 1	6–7	Elementary
Year 2	7–8	Elementary
Year 3	8–9	Elementary
Year 4	9–10	Elementary
Year 5	10–11	Elementary
Year 6	11–12	Elementary
Year 1	12–13	Lower secondary
Year 2	13–14	Lower secondary
Year 3	14–15	Lower secondary
Year 1	15–16	Higher secondary
Year 2	16–17	Higher secondary
Year 3	17–18	Higher secondary

Malaysia

Compulsory education in Malaysia spans a period of 11 years and comprises both primary and secondary education. Kindergarten is optional.
Malaysian primary school consists of six years of education, referred to as Year 1 to Year 6. Year 1–3 are classified as Level One while Year 4–6 make up Level Two. Primary schooling usually begins at the age of 7 and ends at 12. Students take their first national examination, the UPSR, towards the end of the Year 6 school year. Performance in the UPSR has no effect on their resuming schooling; all students continue with their secondary education after leaving primary school.
Secondary schooling usually begins at age 13. Secondary schools offer education for a total of five years, starting with Form 1 and finishing at Form 5. Forms 1–3 are grouped together into the "Lower Form" and Forms 4 and 5 are considered the "Upper Form". Students in Form 3 will have to sit for their second national exam, the PT3. They are then streamed into sciences or humanities classes for the Upper Form according to their performance in this exam. At age 17 students in Form 5 sit for the final level of national examinations, the SPM. Achieving a passing grade in the Bahasa Melayu portion of the exams is compulsory; failure results in an automatic failing grade for all subjects taken in the examination and the student is held back to repeat Form 5. Completion of the examination signifies that the student has completed formal education in Malaysia; an SPM certificate remains the base requirement to secure most jobs in Malaysia.
After the SPM, students have a choice of either continuing with Form 6 or entering matriculation. If they opt for Form 6, they will be required to take the STPM examination. Although generally taken by those desiring to attend public universities in Malaysia, an STPM certification is internationally recognized and may also be used, though rarely required, to enter private local universities for undergraduate courses. In recent years, the Ministry of Education has also promoted digital learning platforms such as the Integrated Digital Learning Platform to enhance access to online educational resources in Malaysia.

Year	Ages	School
Kindergarten '	4–6	Preschool
Tahun 1	6–7	Tahap Satu
Tahun 2	7–8	Tahap Satu
Tahun 3	8–9	Tahap Satu
Tahun 4	9–10	Tahap Dua
Tahun 5	10–11	Tahap Dua
Tahun 6	11–12	Tahap Dua
Tingkatan 1	12–13	Menengah Rendah
Tingkatan 2	13–14	Menengah Rendah
Tingkatan 3	14–15	Menengah Rendah
Tingkatan 4	15–16	Menengah Atas
Tingkatan 5	16–17	Menengah Atas
Tingkatan 6 '	17–18	Pre-university programme

Mexico

In Mexico, grades 1 through 12 can be divided into two stages: Educación Básica, and Educación Media Superior. Educación Básica covers pre-primary education to the equivalent of ninth grade. Educación Media Superior covers tenth through twelfth grade, and students' levels are identified by their current semester, not by their grade.

	Year	Ages	School
Educación Básica		3 – 5/6	Preescolar / Kinder
Educación Básica	Primer grado	6/7	Primaria
Educación Básica	Segundo grado	7/8	Primaria
Educación Básica	Tercer grado	8/9	Primaria
Educación Básica	Cuarto grado	9/10	Primaria
Educación Básica	Quinto grado	10/11	Primaria
Educación Básica	Sexto grado	11/12	Primaria
Educación Básica	Primero de secundaria	12/13	Secundaria
Educación Básica	Segundo de secundaria	13/14	Secundaria
Educación Básica	Tercero de secundaria	14/15	Secundaria
Educación Media Superior	Primer semestre, and Segundo semestre	15/16	Bachillerato / Preparatoria
Educación Media Superior	Tercer semestre, and Cuarto semestre	16/17	Bachillerato / Preparatoria
Educación Media Superior	Quinto semestre, and Sexto semestre	17/18	Bachillerato / Preparatoria

Nepal

In Nepal, the stages of education are primary education, secondary education, and higher secondary. Pre-primary education is also found in some areas. Generally, the pre-primary level covers nursery and kindergarten. Primary education consists of grades one through five, while lower secondary education covers grades six through eight and secondary education covers grades nine through ten. Higher secondary covers grades eleven and twelve. Students get Secondary Education Examination certificate in grade ten. According to the new Education Act, the national grade 12 Examination will result in the School Leaving Certificate.

Year	Ages	School
Nursery	3–4	Preschool
Kindergarten	4–5	Preschool
Year 1	5–6	Primary
Year 2	6–7	Primary
Year 3	7–8	Primary
Year 4	8–9	Primary
Year 5	9–10	Primary
Year 6	10–11	Lower secondary
Year 7	11–12	-
Year 8	12–13	-
Year 9	13–14	Junior higher secondary
Year 10	14–16	Junior higher secondary
Year 11	15–17	Senior higher secondary
Year 12	16–18	Senior higher secondary

New Zealand

In New Zealand children are required by law to attend 10 years of educational instruction, from the age of 6 to 16. The law also provides in the same legislation that all people are allowed to attend free education to the age of 18, this legislation is the Education Act 1989. Children can be enrolled at primary school when they turn five years old, and must be enrolled by the time they turn six years old. From years 1–6 students attend primary school. In years 7 and 8 students attend intermediate, or a joint school. The final years of free education are spent in secondary school. New Zealand also has two older educational stage-numbering systems; standards 5 and 6 were largely unused with the introduction of intermediate schools in the 1950s, while "primmer" numbering was in use well into the 1970s, and some academically focused secondary schools still use "form" numbering.

Nigeria

In Nigeria children start school at the age of 6.This age marks the beginning of compulsory primary education, which lasts until around age 11.

Grade	Age	School	Stage
Daycare	0-5	none	none
Kindergarten	5-6	Preschool	Primary school
First grade	6-7	Primary school	Primary school
Second grade	7-8	Primary school	Primary school
Third grade	8-9	Primary school	Primary school
Fourth grade	9-10	Primary school	Primary school
Fifth grade	10-11	Primary school	Primary school
Sixth grade	11-12	Primary school	Primary school
Seventh grade	12-13	Secondary school	Secondary school
Eighth grade	13-14	Secondary school	Secondary school
Ninth grade	14-15	Secondary school	Secondary school
Tenth grade	15-16	Secondary school	Secondary school
Eleventh grade	16-17	Secondary school	Secondary school
Twelfth grade	17-18	Secondary school	Secondary school

Norway

In Norway children start school at the age of six; before that kindergarten is voluntary. This school is called barneskole :

6–7: First grade
7–8: Second grade
8–9: Third grade
9–10: Fourth grade
10–11: Fifth grade
11–12: Sixth grade
12–13: Seventh grade

The second school is ungdomsskole. At this level the students are rated with grades in each subject, in addition to behavior and orderliness:

13–14: Eighth grade
14–15: Ninth grade
15–16: Tenth grade

The last school before higher education is called videregående skole and is voluntary, though most choose to attend. At this level students decide among separate career-related schools. The most popular such school is designed to prepare one for further education, while others prepare students for such as mechanics, electricians, cooks and so on. Educational stages in these schools begin again at "one" and are named Vg1, Vg2, Vg3 and Vg4. Some of the more practical schools last only two years, and some students may choose to attend an extra year to study higher education. The typical duration is three years, though some schools offer a four-year program to enable students to engage in more athletics or gather real work experience.

16–17: Vg1
17–18: Vg2
18–19: Vg3
19–20: Vg4

Philippines

From May 28, 1945 to 2017, there were ten years of compulsory education under the K–4th Year system until it phased out entirely on June 5, 2017. Grades 11 and 12 were added on June 13, 2016, as a result of the K–12 implementation that began on May 20, 2008 mandated by Omnibus Education Reform Act of 2008 and later ASEAN Charter on December 15, 2008, and became effective as part of the 9-year process on April 24, 2012. School years start in the first or second week of June, and end in the last week of March or first week of April. There are three stages of education in the Philippines – elementary school, junior high school, and senior high school.

Grade	Age	School	Stage
Kindergarten	4–6	Preschool	Elementary school
Grade 1	5–7	Primary school	Elementary school
Grade 2	6–8	Primary school	Elementary school
Grade 3	7–9	Primary school	Elementary school
Grade 4	8–10	Primary school	Elementary school
Grade 5	9–11	Primary school	Elementary school
Grade 6	10–12	Primary school	Elementary school
Grade 7	11–13	Secondary school	Junior high school
Grade 8	12–14	Secondary school	Junior high school
Grade 9	13–15	Secondary school	Junior high school
Grade 10	14–16	Secondary school	Junior high school
Grade 11	15–17	Secondary school	Senior high school
Grade 12	16–18	Secondary school	Senior high school

Poland

From 1998 to 2019, the Polish education system was divided into six years of primary education, followed by three years of secondary education and three or four years of optional high school education. Attending general education high school or vocational school allows graduates to attend university while attending a basic vocational school requires its graduates to attend supplementary liceums if they wish to proceed with university education. Since 2019, the three stages were merged into two, returning to the country's pre-reform system. Kindergarten education is optional, while compulsory education starts with year 0. The school year lasts from early September to late June, with the exception of the final year of high school, which ends in late April, followed by matura exams throughout May.
The "Age" column represents the age at which children start a school year.

Russia

In Russia, compulsory education lasts eight or nine years and begins the year the child turns seven or, sometimes, six. The first stage of elementary school can last either 3 years or 4 years. After of the first stage all pupils enter 5th grade, thus pupils that started at the age of 7 do not attend the 4th grade.

Year	Ages	School
Yasli	1–2	Early
Kindergarten	3–7	Early
First grade	6–8	Elementary
Second grade	7–9	Elementary
Third grade	8–10	Elementary
Fourth grade	9–10
Fifth grade	10–11	Middle
Sixth grade	11–12	Middle
Seventh grade	12–13	Middle
Eighth grade	13–14	Middle
Ninth grade	14–15	Middle
Tenth grade	15–16	High
Eleventh grade	16–17	High

While it is not compulsory to remain in school after graduating from middle school, a student cannot progress to tertiary school without graduating from high school or vocational school.

Serbia

In Serbia, children undergo thirteen years of formal education, usually starting at age 4, 5 or 6, and finishing at age 18 or 19. By the law children need to enter Primary school at the year they will turn 7 years of age, with some wiggle room if the child is born too close to a new year. The first four years of primary school, children have their own classroom and one teacher that teaches them all the subjects, from grade 5 of primary school to the end of high school lessons are held by number of teachers specialised for specific subjects and children change their classrooms every class. Children start their school year on September 1, and end the year at the end of June/beginning of July. The exception is the grade 8 of primary school and the grade 4 of high school when the classes end a couple of months earlier so the children can study for their entry exams for high school/college. Depending on which high school a child chooses, they can get more focused education and a professional degree. High school is not compulsory education but is needed to get some professional degrees in order to be able to find a job

Year	Ages	School
Nursery	1–3	Preschool
Kindergarten	3–5	Preschool
Prep/Kindergarten/Pre-primary	5–6	Preschool
Grade or Year 1	6–7	Primary school
Grade or Year 2	7–8	Primary school
Grade or Year 3	8–9	Primary school
Grade or Year 4	9–10	Primary school
Grade or Year 5	10–11	Primary school
Grade or Year 6	11–12	Primary school
Grade or Year 7	12–13	Primary school
Grade or Year 8	13–14	Primary school
Grade or Year 1	14–15	Secondary – High school
Grade or Year 2	15–16	-
Grade or Year 3	16–17	-
Grade or Year 4	17–18	-

Singapore

In Singapore, compulsory education lasts ten years and begins the year the child turns seven. However, most children receive a preschool education spanning two to three years before entering primary school after which they will move on to a secondary school, where Sec 5 is only made compulsory for students who have achieved a determined score for their PSLE. For Secondary School, there are three streamings: Express, Normal Academic, and Normal Technical, among which Exp and NT students study for four years while NA students need to study for five years. The Exp stream leads to a Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level while the NA and NT stream leads to a Singapore-Cambridge GCE Normal Level. Some schools also offer the Integrated Programme which combines secondary school and junior college to directly offer the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level. Depending on which stream one is in, and whether the school's scoring requirement is met, a student may be retained/transferred to NA/NT.

Year	Ages	School
Nursery	3–4	Nursery Kindergarten
Kindergarten	5–6	-
Primary One	6–7	Primary
Primary Two	7–8	-
Primary Three	8–9	-
Primary Four	9–10	-
Primary Five	10–11	-
Primary Six	11–12	-
Secondary One	12–13	Secondary
Secondary Two	13–14	-
Secondary Three	14–15	-
Secondary Four	15–16	-
Secondary Five	16–17	-
Junior College One or Pre-University One	16-17	Junior College (JC) or Centralised Institute (CI)
Junior College Two or Pre-University Two	17–18	-
Pre-University Three	18–19	-

While it is not compulsory to remain in school after graduating from secondary school, most go on to receive their tertiary education at a Junior College, a polytechnic, or an institute of technical education before moving on to university. Most junior colleges offer the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level while some offer the International Baccalaureate after 2 years of study.

Spain

In Spain, education is divided into several stages: Kindergarten, primary education and secondary education. Kindergartens are schools for children 0–3 years old, and are normally private institutions, although some of them receive public funding as well. Primary education is delivered almost exclusively through primary schools which offer education for pupils aged between 3 and 12. Children are entitled to preschool education from their third birthday, although it is not compulsory and must enter compulsory education from the September after their 5th birthday. There is some leeway in the starting date for pupils.
Education lasts 6 years in the compulsory section of primary school, before pupils move to a secondary school for between 4 and 6 years, the last two being optional. There is some variation in the phasing of education because private institutions may provide education from kindergarten or primary school until the end of secondary school, and private institutions with public funding normally teach from kindergarten until the 4th year in the secondary school level.

Year	Optionality	Ages	School
Nursery/Kindergarten	Optional	0–3
Primero de infantil	Optional	2–4	Primary
Segundo de infantil	Optional	3–5	Primary
Tercero de infantil	Optional	4–6	Primary
Primary One	Compulsory	5–7	Primary
Primary Two	Compulsory	6–8	Primary
Primary Three	Compulsory	7–9	Primary
Primary Four	Compulsory	8–10	Primary
Primary Five	Compulsory	9–11	Primary
Primary Six	Compulsory	10–12	Primary
First year	Compulsory	11–13	Secondary
Second Year	Compulsory	12–14	Secondary
Third Year	Compulsory	13–15	Secondary
Fourth Year	Compulsory	14–16	Secondary
1 Bachillerato	Optional	15–17	Secondary
2 Bachillerato	Optional	16–18	Secondary

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka enforces compulsory education and it is mandatory for a child to at least complete one year of pre-school by the time the child reaches the completion of age 4. By the time they have reached the age of 5 years, enrollment to Grade 1 is made a legal obligation with continuation through at least age 14.
Primary school to higher education are primarily funded and overseen by two governmental ministries and the main Department.

Year	Ages	School
Kindergarten	3–5	Pre-School
Grade One	5–6	Primary
Grade Two	6–7	Primary
Grade Three	7–8	Primary
Grade Four	8–9	Primary
Grade Five – Optional Scholarship Examination	9–10	Primary
Grade Six	10–11	Secondary
Grade Seven	11–12	Secondary
Grade Eight	12–13	Secondary
Grade Nine	13–14	Secondary
Grade Ten	14–15	Secondary
Grade Eleven – G.C.E Ordinary Level Examination	15–16	Secondary
Grade Twelve	16–17	Collegiate
Grade Thirteen – G.C.E Advanced Level Examination	17–18	-

Tertiary education

Undergraduate education in state universities is free but extremely competitive, limited, and standardized.
Selection of students is done on the basis of rank order on average Z Scores obtained by candidates at the Advanced Level under a transparent national policy to replicate a district basis representation. Only the top students from each district receive admission.

Sweden

In Sweden children start school at the age of six with preschool class; before that preschool is voluntary.

6–7: Preschool class

First set of grades are called "lågstadiet".

7–8: "ettan"
8–9: "tvåan"
9–10: "trean"

Second set of grades are called "mellanstadiet".

10–11: "fyran"
11–12: "femman"
12–13: "sexan"

Third set of grades are called "högstadiet".

13–14: "sjuan"
14–15: "åttan"
15–16: "nian"

The last school before higher education is called "gymnasiet" and is voluntary, though most choose to attend. At this level students decide among separate career-related programmes.

16–17: "första ring"
17–18: "andra ring"
18–19: "tredje ring"

Taiwan

Level	Grade	Age	Notes
Kindergarten	none	3–6	Preschool education Regulated by the
Elementary school	1st	6–7	National education, compulsory education Regulated by the
Elementary school	2nd	7–8	National education, compulsory education Regulated by the
Elementary school	3rd	8–9	National education, compulsory education Regulated by the
Elementary school	4th	9–10	National education, compulsory education Regulated by the
Elementary school	5th	10–11	National education, compulsory education Regulated by the
Elementary school	6th	11–12	National education, compulsory education Regulated by the
Junior high school	7th	12–13	National education, compulsory education Regulated by the
Junior high school	8th	13–14	National education, compulsory education Regulated by the
Junior high school	9th	14–15	National education, compulsory education Regulated by the
Senior high school	Senior High 1st (10th)	15–16	National education since 2019 Regulated by the
Senior high school	Senior High 2nd (11th)	16–17	National education since 2019 Regulated by the
Senior high school	Senior High 3rd (12th)	17–18	National education since 2019 Regulated by the

Turkey

Year	Ages	Stage
Kindergarten	5–6	Before School / Kindergarten
Year 1	6–7	Elementary
Year 2	7–8	Elementary
Year 3	8–9	Elementary
Year 4	9–10	Elementary
Year 5	10–11	Secondary
Year 6	11–12	Secondary
Year 7	12–13	Secondary
Year 8	13–14	Secondary
Year 9	14–15	High school
Year 10	15–16	High school
Year 11	16–17	High school
Year 12	17–18	High school

United Kingdom

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland education is divided into two stages: primary education and secondary education. Required assessment within the National Curriculum takes place in years 2 and 6 and Year 11. School education is generally followed by two years of further education – often in a 6th form or 6th form college and then three or four years at university by those who decide to stay in education.
In England, children begin school either in the school year or school term in which they reach their fifth birthday. In Wales, children begin school on a part-time basis the September after they reach their third birthday. Primary schools educate children from Reception through to Year 6, and may be subdivided into infant and junior schools. Alternatively, children may attend private prep schools.
Secondary education is compulsory to the age of 16. However, in England you will be required to return to full-time education, take on an apprenticeship or internship or work or volunteer at least 20 hours a week while part-time studying until the age of 18. Schools have various possible names, such as grammar, comprehensive and secondary schools, which may or may not indicate selective admission or tuition fees. Sixth form education is not compulsory at present, and not all secondary schools have a sixth form. There are also 6th form colleges just for Year 12 and 13 students.
Some secondary schools still use the 'form' system, with Year 7 being 1st Form, Year 8 being Second Form, et cetera, up until Year 12 and Year 13, which together make up the 6th Form. Some independent schools use other naming systems.
In some areas in England, a three-tier system of education is used, in which students pass through three stages: First school/Lower school, Middle school and finally High or Upper School

Scotland

In Scotland, education is divided into two stages: primary education and secondary education. Primary education is delivered almost exclusively through primary schools which offer education for pupils aged between 4 and 12. Children are entitled to pre-school education from their third birthday, and must enter compulsory education from the August after their 5th birthday. There is some leeway in the starting date for pupils.
Education lasts 7 years in the primary school, before pupils move to a secondary school for between 4 and 6 years, the last two being optional.
There is some variation in the phasing of education in more remote areas of Scotland, where provision may be made in a through school, or in other combinations of institutes.

Year	Ages	School
Nursery	3–5
Primary One	4–6	Primary
Primary Two	5–7	Primary
Primary Three	6–8	Primary
Primary Four	7–9	Primary
Primary Five	8–10	Primary
Primary Six	9–11	Primary
Primary Seven	10–12	Primary
First year	11–13	Secondary
Second Year	12–14	Secondary
Third Year	13–15	Secondary
Fourth Year	14–16	Secondary
Fifth Year	15–17	Secondary
Sixth Year	16–18	Secondary

United States

In the United States, grades traditionally begin at 1 and run to 12; they are referred to by ordinal number. An additional preceding level called kindergarten is now standard in most areas, and a further preceding level called preschool education or nursery school is not uncommon. In some parts of the state of Wisconsin, kindergarten is split further into junior and senior kindergarten.
Before the term "middle school" became much more common, 7th and 8th grades were placed in "junior high school". In certain junior high schools, either 6th grade or 9th grade was also included.
At the secondary school level, the 9th through 12th grades are also known respectively as freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior. At the postsecondary or "undergraduate" level, the same four terms are reused to describe a student's college years, but numbered grades are not used at the college level. American graduate and postgraduate education does not use grades.
The adjacent Table US outlines the ages, in years, of each grade level in the US. However, students are sometimes older because of grade retention or younger because of grade skipping.
Elementary school students at a specific grade level are traditionally assigned to a single class that usually stays together in the same classroom with the same teacher throughout each school day for the entire school year. Students in middle school and high school are allowed to build schedules from a mix of required and elective courses taught by different teachers in different classrooms, must rush from one course to the next during each school day, and are more likely to encounter students from different grades in their courses.