There are both state and private schools in the USA. The school day usually begins between 8.00 and 9.00 a.m. and ends around 3 p.m. It includes a lunch break and sometimes free hours during the day. School attendance as compulsory in the United States from 6 until the age of 16. The system of education is divided into pre-school and elementary, secondary and higher education. Students have both compulsory and elective subjects at high schools. The compulsory subjects include English, Modern Language, Maths, Chemistry and Biology. The electives include Music, Arts, Physical Education. All high school students have mid-term and final exams in each subject.
Anyone who fails can go to to summer school or can take some extra courses. In the end of the final year at high school the students take nationwide standardized test, called Stanford Achievement Test (SAT).

This test is in all subjects and the scores are used for college entrance requirements. The USA has some of the world's most outstanding universities including Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, Stanford University... After enrolling in the nine-year elementary school, six-year-olds begin their compulsory school attendance. The school year begins on September 1st and finishes in June 30th. Children gradually learn to read, write and count; later they get acquainted with the fundaments of history, geography, the natural sciences and fine arts. Students are evaluated by marks from 1 to 5. 1 is the best and 5 is the worst. At the end of the each school year pupils get reports with their academic record in different subjects. After elementary school we can study at some secondary school (technical, medical, economic) or an apprentice training centre, or some art school. One of alternative secondary schools is Grammar school which prepares its students for university studies. Secondaryschool studies last for four years. At the end of fourth year students must pass a graduation examinition, usually consisting of oral and written parts. Knowledge of four subjects is verified here. The Slovak language is compulsory, while other subjects are determined either by the institute itself or left to the choice of the student. From each subject a student selects one question which should be answered and discussed for fifteen minutes. The graduation examination committee
rules as to how we performed. If we do not manage to pass the examination on our first attempt, we are offered a second chance in september. Grammar school is a secondary school which prepares students for university studies.