Secondary Education

Secondary Education normally takes place in secondary schools, taking place after primary education and may be followed by higher education or vocational training. In some countries only primary basic education is compulsory, but secondary education is included in compulsory education in most countries.




Terminology of Secondary Education:. 
Secondary schools may be called high schools, gymnasia, lyceums, middle schools, sixth form, sixth form colleges, vocational schools, or preparatory schools, and the exact meaning of any of these varies between the countries.

Secondary Education in Australia:.
School is compulsory in Australia between the ages of five/six-fifteen/sixteen or seventeen, depending on the state, with in recent years, over three quarters of people staying on until their thirteenth year in school. Government schools educate about two-thirds of Australian students, with the other third in independent schools. Government schools are free although most schools. Government schools are free although most schools charge what are known as "voluntary contributions" or  "Tax Levies", while independent schools, both religious and secular, charge fees as well as levies. Regardless of what whether a school is government or independent, it is required to adhere to the same curriculum frameworks. Most school students, be they in government or independent schools, usually wear uniforms, although there are varying expectations and a few school exceptions.

Secondary Education in United States:.
As part of education in the United States, secondary  education comprises grades 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 through 12. This varies among school districts. Grades 9 through 12 is the most common grade structure for high school.

Secondary Education in UK (United Kingdom):.
In the United Kingdom secondary schools offer secondary education covering the later years of schooling. State secondary schools in England and Wales are classed as either grammar schools, comprehensive schools, city technology colleges or academies. Within Scotland, there are only two types or state run schools, Roman Catholic or non-denominational. Most secondary schools in England and Wales are comprehensive schools. Grammar schools have been retained in some counties in England. Academies are a new type of school introduced in 2000 by the New Labour government of Tony Blair. Independent Secondary schools generally take pupils at 13.

Secondary Education in Germany:.
The German school system is free and compulsory until 9th grade. After the Grundschule , teachers recommend each pupil for one of three different types of secondary education. Parents have the final say about which school their child will attend.

• Hauptschule - designed for student going into trades such as construction, complete after 9th or 10th grade. During apprenticeships, pupils then attend Bersufsschule, a dual-education vocational high school. The hauptschule has been subject to significant criticism, as it tends to segregate the children of immigrants with schoolmates whose German is also poor, leading to a cycle of poverty.
• Realschule- designed for students who want to apprentice for white collar jobs not requiring university studies, such as banking complete after 10th grade. Those who change their minds and decide to attend university can proceed after testin to.