Each state has own system of education. All the elementary and secondary education in the U.S. is comprehensive; there is no selection of children for various types of school.

System of U.S. education can be divided into the following stages:
a) Elementary education through Elementary School: 1st to 6th grade (ages 6 to 12)
b) Secondary education through High School divided into:
· Junior High School (7th to 9th grade, i.e. between the ages of 12 and 15)
· Senior High School (10th to 12th grade, i.e. between the ages of 15 and 18)
c) Higher education through college or university, which can be followed by graduate and professional schools.

Education in Slovakia

The educational system in Slovakia has been reformed several times. State and religious schools are free, they are financed by the state. Our schools system consists of 4 main grades: the pre-school grade, basic school, general secondary school, university.
Pre-school education includes crèches, nursery schools and kindergartens. They are attended by the children at the age 2 to 6. This stage is not necessary. Compulsory (povinná) education is for children between the ages 6 to 16. Basic education is compulsory for everybody after the age of 6. There is no selection of children entering primary schools. Primary education lasts 9 years and is comprehensive, providing basic knowledge for the pupils. It includes subjects like : languages, maths, physics, history, geography, biology, music, physical education, arts and crafts.
Children over 14-15 are given secondary education at general secondary schools, or secondary grammar schools, apprentice training centers (učňovky), trade schools (odborná), art schools. Those who want to attend secondary grammar must pass the entrance examination. The study at most schools finishes with the schools leaving exams. After finishing a secondary school one can continue studying at any of technical, economic, medicine, natural science or other colleges. It is possible to choose Bachelor or Diploma study. The last one usually ends with the state examinations and the pleading of the thesis (dizertačná práca).
The last step in our educational system is the postgraduate study, where a student is improving his ability for independent scientific work under the guide of the experienced specialist.