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Primary school

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Primary school is a very important step for young children.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Most students are between 4 and 11 years old. This stage usually comes after preschool. It also happens before secondary school starts. The main goal is to teach basic skills. These skills include reading, writing, and math. This stage builds a strong foundation for all future learning.

ClassroomLibrary
ClassroomLibrary

Different parts of the world use different names for these schools. In the United States, people often say elementary school. They might also use the term grade school. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, primary school is the most common name. Many countries in the Commonwealth use this name too. In Japan, children attend elementary school from age 6 to 12. After they finish, they move on to junior high school.

An aerial photo of a primary school in Hayesville, North Carolina
An aerial photo of a primary school in Hayesville, North Carolina

Learning about the history of these schools is interesting. The term "primary school" first appeared in a London Times text in April 1802. In England and Wales, a law in 1870 established board schools. These schools later became primary schools in the late 1940s. In the United States, elementary schools were first promoted in 1647. This happened in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Today, the United States has about 92,858 elementary schools. About 68,173 of these are public schools.

First American Public School, Dedham, Massachusetts
First American Public School, Dedham, Massachusetts

Building a school is a big job for many people.

Sandakan Sabah SJKC-Chi-Hwa-06
Sandakan Sabah SJKC-Chi-Hwa-06

A school building must have many special areas. It needs classrooms that are large enough for students. It also needs libraries, computer rooms, and medical rooms. There must be spaces for teachers to prepare lessons. Schools also need toilets, showers, and places to store books. In the United Kingdom, a classroom for 30 young students needs about 62 square meters. These rules help make sure every school is a good place to learn.

Money for schools can come from many different places. Many schools are free because the state pays for them using taxes. Some schools are private and require parents to pay fees. Other schools are run by charities or religious groups like churches. In the United Kingdom, church schools are allowed to teach. However, in France, it is illegal to have such schools. This is because of a rule that keeps church and state separate.

Empty classroom
Empty classroom
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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.jpg
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.jpg
File:ZŠ Višňové.JPG
ZŠ Višňové.JPG
File:An aerial photo of a primary school in Hayesville, North Carolina.jpg
An aerial photo of a primary school in...
File:Empty_classroom.jpg
Empty_classroom.jpg
File:St Pats Primary school 2021 b.jpg
St Pats Primary school 2021 b.jpg
File:Orbe - Chantemerle - salle de classe 1.jpg
Orbe - Chantemerle - salle de classe 1.jpg
File:Grundschule Haus St Marien Neumarkt - Klassenzimmer 06.JPG
Grundschule Haus St Marien Neumarkt -...
File:First American Public School, Dedham, Massachusetts.jpg
First American Public School, Dedham,...
File:Sandakan Sabah SJKC-Chi-Hwa-06.jpg
Sandakan Sabah SJKC-Chi-Hwa-06.jpg
File:ClassroomLibrary.jpg
ClassroomLibrary.jpg
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