School System | Immunizations | Public & Private Schools | Colleges & Universities
The U.S. school calendar usually begins in August or September and continues through May or June. Most Americans attend twelve years of primary and secondary school. These twelve years of primary and secondary education are called the first through twelfth grades. Education in the U.S. is compulsory from the age of 6 to 16 years. Once a student has completed secondary school, he/she can continue on to a college, university, or vocational school.
Pre-School & Kindergarten: Four- and 5-year-olds in the U.S. usually go to Kindergarten (K-4, K-5) before the first grade. Public elementary schools as well as private schools offer Kindergarten programs. There is also the opportunity for two-and 3-year-olds to go to a private pre-school before kindergarten.
Primary and Secondary School: Begins around age six for U.S. children. They attend five years of primary or "elementary school" (grades 1-5). Secondary school consists of a three-year and a four-year program. These are called "middle school" (grades 6-8) and "high school" (grades 9-12).
Higher Education: After finishing high school, U.S. students may go on to college or university. Study at a college or university leading to the Bachelor's Degree is known as "undergraduate" education. Study beyond the Bachelor's Degree is known as "graduate" or "postgraduate" education. Advanced or graduate degrees include Masters degrees, law, medicine, and the Ph.D. (doctorate).
Before children can begin school in the U.S. they must have the appropriate immunizations. International children enrolling in a South Carolina school must also have their vaccination records copied by a state physician onto a South Carolina Certificate of Immunization. Recommended immunization schedule from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control:
| Vaccine | 1st Dose | 2nd Dose | 3rd Dose | 4th Dose | 5th Dose | 6th Dose |
| HepB
Hepatitis B |
birth - 2 months | 1 - 4 months | 6 - 18 months | x | x | x |
| DTaP
Diptheria, Tetanus, Perussis |
2 months | 4 months | 6 months | 15 - 18 months | 4 - 6 years | 11 - 18 years (Td only) |
| Hib
H. Influenza type B |
2 months | 4 months | 6 months | 12 - 15 months | x | x |
| IPV
Inactivated Polio |
2 months | 4 months | 6 - 18 months | 4 - 6 years | x | x |
| PCV
Pneumococcal Conjugate |
2 months | 4 months | 6 months | 12 - 15 months | x | x |
| MMR
Measles, Mumps, Rubella |
12 - 15 months | 4 - 6 years | x | x | x | x |
| Varicella
Chickenpox |
12 -18 months | x | x | x | x | x |
Education in the United States is administered by the states. Each state has a free and public primary and secondary school system, supported through local taxation, state aid, and Federal funds. Private schools on the other hand are supported by tuition payments, which are an average of $10,000 per child and per school year.
Greenville county has the largest public school district in South Carolina and is ranked among the best in the state. In addition to excellent public schools, there are also highly regarded private schools in the area.
Area Private Schools Public School System
Christ Church Episcopal School Greenville County Schools Online
St. Joseph's High School SC Department of Education
Shannon Forest Christian School