The American school system ages typically span from 5-18 years old, with students progressing through elementary, middle, and high school levels. Each state has different requirements for compulsory school age by state, though most mandate education from age 6 or 7 through 16 or 18.

In the U.S. school system explained, students begin with elementary school (kindergarten through 5th or 6th grade), followed by middle school (6th or 7th through 8th grade), and high school (9th through 12th grade). The grading system commonly uses American school grades A B C D F, where A represents excellent work (90-100%), B is above average (80-89%), C is average (70-79%), D is below average (60-69%), and F means failing (below 60%). When comparing the American school system vs German system, notable differences include the length of secondary education, grading scales, and vocational training opportunities.

School attendance rates by state vary significantly across the country, with some states achieving over 95% attendance while others struggle with chronic absenteeism. The Education Commission of the States provides comprehensive data on attendance policies and truancy rates by state. States have different approaches to handling attendance issues, with some implementing strict truancy laws and others focusing on preventive measures. School absence statistics show that chronic absenteeism can significantly impact student achievement and graduation rates. Some states have implemented Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs to address attendance issues, and students can use the State Comparison tool to understand which states have SEL funding available. For American school system ages college, students typically enter higher education around age 18, though there's flexibility for both earlier and later enrollment depending on individual circumstances and state regulations.