Primary and Secondary Education

The United States enrolls over 48 million students in primary and secondary education at all grade levels, and another four million engage in some form of early learning prior to starting school. In addition, it is estimated that between 500,000 and one million students are tutored at home for part or all of their school years. There are over 91,000 public schools, including over 63,500 primary schools (including over 11,000 middle schools), over 22,100 secondary schools, over 3,700 combined (primary and secondary) schools, and over 1,600 special education and alternative schools. In addition, there are over 27,400 private schools of all levels and types. The average primary school enrolls under 500 students and the average secondary school over 700 students. Despite the rapid economic development and urbanization of the United States, there still remain over 460 rural schools staffed by a single teacher.

• Basic PK-12 Information provides information on the primary and secondary school curriculum and other issues crossing all grade levels.
• Early Childhood Education provides information and resources on the education and development of young children from infancy to the first years of school.
• Elementary Education provides information and resources on the formal schooling of children from school entry until grades 4-6.
• Middle School Education provides information and resources on upper primary education occurring between grades 4-6 and 6-8.
• Junior High School Education provides information and resources on lower secondary education occurring between grades 7-8 or 7-9.
• High School/Senior High School Education provides information and resources on secondary education occurring between grades 9-12 or 10-12.
• Alternative Schools and Home Schooling provides information and resources on various alternative types of schools and the small but significant home schooling movement.