Once you have relocated, you will need to transfer your children's education to the US system. If you can, get full English translations of all school transcripts prior to arrival. Unless your child can demonstrate English fluency and literacy through examination, you must understand that remedial language lessons will be needed if your children are over five years old. It is most likely that mathematics, science, and physical education requirements will transfer readily. However, history and languages may not.

The US education system

There is a large public education system in the USA. Education is mandatory, whether it takes place by home schooling, private tutors, private schools, public schools, or any combination thereof. Thanks to this public policy the literacy rate in the USA is high. It is far below the desired 100% rate for those 8 years and above, however.

Compulsory education begins at age five, when a child enters kindergarten. Most children, however, will have attended pre-school from the age of three or four. In most school districts, schools are divided into elementary schools (K-grade 5), middle schools (grades 6-8), and high schools (grades 9-12). In some cases, elementary schools go up to grade 6, junior high schools are grades 7-9, and senior high schools are grades 10-12. Children are required to attend school until the age of 16, but most will attend school until they graduate, which is usually around the age of 17 or 18.

You will be guaranteed public education in your area of residence. To register, all you have to do is find out the name of the school district you are in. Then, ask them which school your residential address puts your children into. Lastly, get the phone number and call the school to inform them that your offspring will be attending.

Public schools are generally funded by property taxes, so wealthier areas may have more impressive educational facilities. There are very small fees associated with public schools such as book rental fees.

The cost of private education varies. Parochial schools are often cheaper if the students belong to the local congregation of the religion the school is part of. Usually, students of other religions will be accepted, but the fee is higher. There are numerous private schools that have no religious affiliation. These are categorized by teaching method, or by type of student – exceptionally gifted, those with special needs, those from families with an international lifestyle, etc.

The rates for private tutors range from $10-$15/hour to far more; this depends on the specialty and on the type of instruction needed. The cost of home schooling depends largely upon who does it and how it is conducted.

Increasingly, people are being educated at home by their parents or other relatives in the USA. This is a modern movement, a re-discovery of an old idea. The motivations nowadays are almost entirely rooted in freedom and control. Parents want to give their children a more natural atmosphere where work and play can be adjusted to the individual needs of the child. Also, this gives parents a chance to mold the method of teaching to their own offspring in a way that large schools are simply not able to do. State regulations vary and parents are advised (or required) to consult the state's curriculum to ensure that their children will be at least up to par with school-educated children. In this way, you will be able to fit your kids into schools if you need to or want to, and everyone is assured that your children are getting an equal or better education by being home schooled. The quality of schools in America varies tremendously, mainly due to extreme differences in funding (of public schools).

You should be aware that if your child attends an American public school, he or she will likely be expected to pledge allegiance to the USA. This is largely because public schools are sponsored by the government and provide one of the few social institutions in which citizenship education is included and national loyalty is “explained and nurtured.”

Transportation to and from school

If you live in close proximity to the school (normally within 1 mile/3km) and it is a public school, then you will probably have to provide your own transportation to and from school (or your child can walk). Public schools normally also provide a door-to-door bus service; these are the famous “bright yellow school buses.” In large cities, public transportation can be utilized, but it is for older children only and whenever this involves a public school special parental permission may be required. In some cases, reimbursement may be possible.

International schools

There are international schools in most major cities in the USA where teaching may be give in languages other than English. Also, part of secondary education in public American schools is secondary language education. Most children are expected to study at least one, if not two, foreign languages for 4 to 5 years during secondary school. This often leads to subfluent but conversational level speakers and readers, who, with immersion, would rapidly transform into fluent speakers of these other languages. Depending upon where you are coming from, you may not be satisfied with the most commonly taught “other languages” in American schools: Spanish, French, and German. Latin is also available in most schools, and Chinese and Japanese are becoming increasingly popular, especially on the west coast, where there is a large Asian population. Hindi or Arabic or modern Greek are much harder to come by, and will usually require private tutors.

Universities

University education is accessible to many in America, but it can come at a price. Students are required to pay tuition and fees and, if they are living on campus, room and board. Students must also pay for books, and there are often other “hidden fees” that may arise. Students with financial need may apply for scholarships, grants, or financial aid. Scholarships and grants are funds given to a student for study, usually to reward high academic performance or athletic ability. These funds do not have to be repaid. Financial aid, on the other hand, often comes in the form of student loans. These loans are much more flexible than most other loans in that they have lower interest rates and the repayment period is longer. The US also has an extensive network of community colleges that offer degree programs at a much lower price. Community colleges usually offer two-year degrees. Some students may begin their education here and transfer to a four-year college or university after a year or two. Training people directly for industry, especially training women for skilled trades without using the university system, is considered a candidate for improvement. Some argue that the nation should develop this system much more, while others would advocate that it be fully integrated into universities as vocational courses.