Primary education in the United States

Primary education in the United States (also elementary education) refers to the first eight years of formal education in most jurisdictions, often in elementary school. Preschool programs, which are less formal and usually not mandated by law, are generally not considered part of primary education. The first year of primary education is commonly referred to as kindergarten and begins at or around age 5. Subsequent years are usually numbered being referred to as first grade, second grade, and so forth. Elementary schools continue until either fifth or sixth grade, which the students normally complete when they are age 11 or 12.