A grade point average (GPA) is a numeric representation of a student’s academic performance.  Grades are usually assigned on the following scale:  A (approximately 92 to 100% correct), B (84% to 91%), C (73% to 83%), D(65% to 72%), F (below 65%).  A plus (+) or a minus (-) sign may indicate where on the scale the student is.  Average grades are given the following numeric values:  A (4.0), A- (3.67), B+ (3.33), B (3.0),  . . . ,F (0.0).  An average of all grades in all subjects determines the GPA, which is important to keep high, as an indication to colleges or employers of your performance.

EDUCATION THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL

The American school system can be confusing, because different school boards divide the grades up differently.  Basically, primary education is Kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12).  There are several ways this is divided: 

Ø     Elementary School (K-8) and High School (9-12); Elementary (K-6), Junior High School (7-9), and Senior High School (10-12)

Ø     Elementary (K-6), Middle School (7-8), High School (9-12).  Grades nine through twelve are named Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior (these names are also used for the four years of college). 

Ø     All school years consist of 180 days of classes.  Most school years last from September through June.

Many schools have a three-month summer vacation.  Teenagers often get a summer job to earn some spending money and gain work experience.  For younger children, this is an ideal time to spend developing sports and hobbies.  This time is often informal, but it could be a good idea to look into summer camps where children meet other children and learn more about their sports or hobbies.  Relocating during the summer can give newcomer children the opportunity of acclimating to the USA in a fun environment before school begins.  There is a broad variety of summer camp programs.

Ø     Summer camps, as made famous by television and movies such as The Parent Trap, are often set in the woods or on a lake, and offer kids activities such as boating, swimming, and hiking. 

Ø     Summer can also be an opportunity for more specialized education, such as driving lessons, swimming lessons, piano, etc.  Music camps and computer camps are particularly popular.  These camps are sometimes local, with the kids attending for several hours a day and then returning home.

Ø     Some summer camps have a religious orientation, giving the children an opportunity to meet other children of the same faith while gaining a deeper knowledge of their religion.  Consult your local religious institution for a recommendation.

Ø     Other parents in your community may be the best resource for information on summer camp programs.  If you do not know many other parents yet, refer to the Internet, which has many sites, such as Camp Finders (www.campfinders.com/activities.htm). This site allows you to browse through different programs.  Many camps will advertise in newspapers and magazines during the spring.

Preschool is a popular option for parents.  It is usually for children between two and five years of age.  The primary function of pre-school is to get children involved in activities with other children such as arts and crafts, and also to prepare children to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic.  A child’s formal schooling begins with kindergarten, usually at age five.  Kindergarten lasts one school year, after which a child begins elementary school.  The ages at which a child is required by law to be enrolled in school varies from state to state and normally ranges from five or six years old to sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen years old.

CHILDCARE

Childcare options have grown rapidly in the United States in recent years.  Because of the large number of double-income families, working parents have several opportunities for childcare.  Most parents choose to put their children into day care centers which provide care and early learning programs for children between two (sometimes even younger) and about eight or nine.  Some parents prefer a smaller, more familial environment for their children, opting for neighborhood daycare facilities.  Parents also have the option of hiring a day care provider care for their children in their own home.  If you choose this option, be sure to ask for and carefully check references to be sure you can trust the provider, or you can hire from an au pair or nanny agency.

THE BEST EDUCATION WEBSITES

U. S. News and World Reports (www.usnews.com)(Click on the Education link) An essential site for the prospective college student.  They offer great guidance on colleges and universities, packed with useful information.

The College Board    (www.collegeboard.org) The official site of the SAT and Advanced Placement Exams.  The best resource for test dates, fees, and other needed information.

Educational Testing Service (www.ets.org) The ETS administers the GRE and some other standardized tests. They have another GRE website at www.gre.org.

ACT  (www.act.org) Administers the ACT test.  If the college you are applying to requires this exam, visit here for information on dates and registration.

College View  (www.collegeview.com)  An excellent site for those beginning their college careers, to get an idea of what you should be doing.

Snaid.com  (www.snaid.com)  From the Law Offices of Leon Snaid, a resource for information on immigration law.

Career Key  (www.ncsu.edu/careerkey)  Self-assessment test for those unsure about where they are headed in their careers.

Globewide Network Academy  (www.gnacademy.org)  Offers a catalog of distance learning courses.

Distance Education Clearinghouse  (www.uwex.edu/disted/home.html) A valuable information source for distance learning, includes recent related articles.

International Education Service  (www.ies-ed.com/html)  Provides placement and guidance services for international students.

IPSA (www.ipsausa.com)  Placement for international students into colleges, high schools, and scholarships.

Camp Finders (www.campfinders.com/activities.htm)  A free Internet service, which can be a great resource for gathering information on summer camps available to your children.