Education in the United States is free and compulsory for 0 years, beginning at age and culminating at age 16

Secondary Education
Secondary education in the U.S. is also offered by both public and private schools. This stage of education is broken down into two distinct levels: middle or junior high school and high school. Middle school education generally spans two years (grades 7 and 8) and serves students who are 12-14 years of age. High school programs span four years (grades 9-12) for students ages 14-18. While only the initial two years of high school (or whenever a student reaches 16 years of age) are compulsory, most students in the United States complete the entire secondary school program and ultimately graduate from their high school. ThePensters custom writing service from the United States are the best place to get your high-school essays done.
The typical classroom size at American secondary schools is 25-35 students, and each classroom is led by a single teacher. Like primary schools, middle schools and high schools in the United States also offer Special Education classes (with a teacher and an adult assistant), as well as programs designed for gifted students. These courses, with names such as “Advanced Placement” or “Honors” classes, tend to have a much lower student to teacher ratio, typically topping out between 15 and 20 students per class. Exceptionally bright students can also take college-level courses during their final two years of high school.
The initial year of secondary school represents the first time in which students have multiple teachers for various subjects. National standards dictate that secondary school students must take and complete certain core courses for a prescribed number of years or terms as determined by each state. These core courses generally include English, mathematics, general science, health, physical education, foreign languages and social studies or social sciences, an area which may include American history, World History, Government, Geography, and Sociology or Social Problems. 
Once students complete the middle school requirements, they are promoted to high school, where they enter as 9 graders. Public American high schools tend to be much larger than secondary schools in other countries, with campuses serving anywhere from between 1,500 to 4,000 students. 
After the first two years of high school, students with no interest in pursuing an academic education at the college or university level can begin taking vocational classes in addition to the academic requirements mentioned above. These courses range from auto body and woodworking classes to computer-aided drafting and restaurant management. Collectively, these classes are designed to give students a head start by providing them with an opportunity to learn a marketable skill or trade.
Students who successfully complete their six-year secondary school requirements receive a high school diploma and are honored at a graduation ceremony. This diploma is the minimum requirement for pursuing a college or university education.