Twelfth grade
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Twelfth grade (called Grade 12 in some regions, also known as senior year in the U.S.) is a year of education in America and many other nations. The twelfth grade is the twelfth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 17–18 years old, but sometimes as old as 21. Twelfth grade is the last year of compulsory secondary education, or "high school" in the U.S. Members of this grade level are commonly struck by "senioritis".
Outside of the United States, the final secondary school year takes different terms. It is simply referred to as the twelfth grade (or grade 12 in English Canada), in Ireland, it is known as 6th year, in Singapore it is known as Junior College 1 or 2 and in Australia it is known as Year 12. In New Zealand, it is also known as Year 13, while in Northern Ireland, it is known as Year 14, or Upper Sixth.
At the end of this school year, there is traditionally a graduation event with the seniors who have completed all of the required work. Some also receive a class ring and diploma. In the U.S., there is customarily a formal school dance for this year's students, called senior prom. Some schools hold a prom for both juniors and seniors, while others segregate the two grades into separate dances.
In the United Kingdom outside Northern Ireland, "Year 12" (or "Lower Sixth") is the first year of A-Level certifications, which are completed in the following "Year 13" (or "Upper Sixth") Students are usually 16-17 in Year 12 and 17-18 in Year 13. In Northern Ireland this takes place in Years 13 and 14. In both cases, these two years are entirely optional, but generally required for entry into higher education. In Scotland, sufficiently good marks in Year 12 may be adequate. There exist specific sixth form colleges dedicated to these years of education, sometimes known as "further education" to distinguish it from both secondary education, which is compulsory, and higher education, which implies university studies.
Prior to 2003, Ontario schools followed with an optional "Grade 13", which comprised the Ontario Academic Credit, a prerequisite for university acceptance in the province.
In Quebec, there is no formal compulsory 12th year, as secondary education completes with eleventh grade. This can be followed with optional CEGEP vocational/college preparatory program.
In Latin America except in Chile and some Mexican regions, there is no grade 12; secondary education terminates with 11th grade. In Chile the grade 12th is called "4to (Cuarto) Medio".[1]
In Germany, students wishing to take the Abitur had usually to attend a thirteenth grade, but most states are shortening the gymnasium from nine to eight years.
| Preceded by Eleventh grade |
Twelfth Grade 17–18 |
Succeeded by Grade 13 or Higher education |
