From Wiki

General

Everyone you talk to in the UK is going to tell you the schools in America are a disaster and nowhere near to the level of their UK counterparts. Of course, their knowledge of the American education system is based on biased media reporting in Europe and Hollywood movies, so please take their words with more than a grain of salt.

Many expats have come with fears about education, only to be shocked and surprised by the quality they have received in the US. Active and engaged teachers, enthusiastic students, and extra curricular events that will make your head spin. Some even dread returning to the UK. Others have landed in areas where the schooling is faltering and rushed to find private schools, regardless of the high tuition expenses. Schools often mirror the communities, so in many impoverished areas you can expect the schools to also be struggling.

One other point--as with everything about the United States, you need to remember that this is a HUGE country. What applies to one town in one small state in one tiny corner of the country cannot, even remotely, be extrapolated as a 'perfect example' for the rest of the country. You are going to see incredible, nearly 180 degree differences between schools in some parts of the US vs others. This is really one of those things that depends in large part on where you live--what state, what city, what school district, even what STREET (as students are assigned to schools geographically).

Before you Leave

A lot depends on your state that you will be living in, but things that should be brought would be vaccination records as some states require certain jabs before allowing you to enroll your children, you should also have your school transcripts, describing the course content and grade. In many states you will not be allowed to send your child to school until you prove that they are uptodate on their vaccinations. Just to repeat: Vaccinations are taken very seriously in the US. As it can take awhile to get those records together, one of the first things you should do in preparing for your move is get a list of your child's vaccination history.

US School Structure

Schools in the US are generally broken down as:

Kindergarden (4 and 5 year olds)

Elementary School (Grades 1-2-3-4)

Middle School (Grades 5-6)* these sometimes merge *
Junior High School (Grades 7-8)* these sometimes merge *

High School (Grades 9-10-11-12) generally ages 14-18

University (Freshman, Sophmore, Junior, Senior)

My Kids are Ahead of their US counterparts

A common question that comes up is 'my child is a 'year ahead' because of the difference in starting times in the UK vs. the US'. While this may be the case based on age, generally you'll find educators will place children, especially at the younger ages, in classes with other students their age rather than other students who have been in school as long as your child has been in school. Emotional and physical development is often as important as academic development. At higher years, there may be an opportunity to be placed in a higher grade than the student's age, but many members on this site have reported it is not advised. There are considerable differences in the methods of teaching in the US vs. the UK such that eventhough a student might be a 'year ahead' when they arrive in the US they often report 'feeling left behind' by the pace and manner of instruction.

In addition, while your kids may be able to name a dozens Kings and Queens of Europe, they probably can't name more than a few Presidents of the United States. American history will be required, as well as 'civics' (American government) and whatever courses they may have had in these subjects in the UK are more than likely not on par with the ones their American classmates are having. Reading, math and science is taught somewhat differently in the US than the UK, and some parents have reported their 'top students' in the UK have needed a year or two to catch up to the way they do things over here before they return to the top of their class. There are also 'little differences' that will add up, such as different spellings and different usage of common words (sidewalk vs. pavement, 'the hospital' vs. hospital), etc.

Useful link to school year comparisons between UK and US. http://www.education-otherwise.org/Trivia/UK-US%20Comparison%20Chart.htm

School Structure

Schools are primarily controlled by local government. A 'school district' will cover an assigned area, such as a town or even a county, and then a 'school board' of elected or appointed officials will govern the operations. A 'superintendent' is generally the president officer for the district. Each school has a 'principal' in charge of the school, and then one or many 'vice principals' in charge of different functions such as staff, student affairs, etc. 'Guidance counselors' are available to help with college preparation, academic selection, and more often than not, personal issues affecting students.

There is no set national curriculum for students. Each state sets a basic requirement that students get so much math, so much science, so much physical education, etc, and then the local school boards design their classes to meet those requirements (Algebra in grade 7, geometry in grade 9, etc). When moving from the UK, it is usually advisable to meet with the school officials and go over your child's coursework so they can be fitted into the right classes upon arrival.

It is *very* important to note that schools in the US are generally funded by property tax revenues from the surrounding areas. In areas with high property values, there are higher taxes (and sometimes) more revenue available for the local schools. In areas of low property values, there is less funding available for the school district. Each school has an assigned 'region' that it covers and unless you live in area of 'school choice' you'll probably end up sending your kids to the nearest geographical school (**pay attention to this when buying/renting a home**). Living on one side of a street instead of the other can often make the difference between school A and school B.

In many urban areas, the public schools subject from many of the same social ills of the surrounding area, and many of the more well-off parents opt to send their children to privately run schools (for a considerable fee).

Due to standardized testing, there exists a number of website that will allow you to "compare stats" between schools (for better or worse if you like such testing). One such site is http://www.greatschools.net/ where you can get specifics on each school in your area.

Long Term Education

Something to consider is what is the long term goal for the education of your child. Will they return to the UK for University, or are they going to go into a trade, or do you think they'll state in the State and finish education and find a job. Keeping up with the peers back in the UK isn't really that important if your child has expressed a desire to study at an American university. Of course a great deal depends on your own visa and financial situation (and eventually, they will be required to have a visa or right to live in the US when they become 'of age') but it is something to consider when planning your move.

If you are only coming for a year or two, you may want to get a copy of the curriculum and lessons for the 'year' your child would have been attending and supplement their education in the US with whatever it is they may be missing back home.

Sports and Extracurricular

Sports, at the high school level, is a very important part of the school life, and in many places, the general community. In some areas of the country, "Friday Night Lights" (i.e. American football games played on Friday nights) is the social to do of the Fall. Crowds of 10-20,000 come out to watch some football games (yes, that is not a typo--10,000+ people!).

But it's not just Football, Basketball and Baseball. Most schools have a full offering of sports, from golf to tennis to track and field. In addition, each year there is a 'physical education' requirement that means students will have to switch into running clothes and play some physical activity for at least an hour a day (this is a throwback to a World War I military requirement to make students fit for military service--yes, it is still in effect at many schools).

Extracurricular activities span the gamut from Drama clubs to Math societies to Future Farmers of America (FFA). There are dozens of activities and students are often encouraged to get involved. In fact, a student with perfect grades and perfect college exams would still have a problem getting into a top US university if they do not have significant extra-curricular activities.

Parental Involvement

Most schools expect some contribution from the parents. At some schools they have an 'auction' where they auction off silly things and expect parents to bid (overbid) with the proceeds going to fund certain school functions. At other schools (many) parents are asked to donate 'a day or two' as a chaperone for a field trip or as a 'teacher's assistant' or just to come in and tell a story during 'What my Mom/Dad does at Work' day. Formal organizations like the Parent-Teachers Association (Organization) exist in most cities with parents having direct contact with school administrators and going over concerns and developments in the school. In some districts, the PTA's are quite active and strong, in effect acting like a 'board of directors' over the school district. In others they are basically non-existent. Many athletic 'booster clubs' also exist to help fund the athletic expenses of the school, such as the sports that do not generate revenue (i.e. no revenue or ticket sales to a high school track meet so boosters donate funds to help run the team).