K–12 (spoken as "k twelve", "k through twelve", or "k to twelve") is a term for the sum of
primary and
secondary education. It is used in the
United States,
Canada,
South Korea,
Turkey, the
Philippines,
Egypt, and
Australia.
P–12 is also occasionally used in Australia. The expression is a shortening of
kindergarten (K) for 4- to 6-year-olds through
twelfth grade (12) for 17- to 19-year-olds, the first and last
grades of
free education in these countries, respectively. Also called ELHI, as a short for
elementary to
high school.