Topic Ukraine United States
Primary, Basic Secondary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High
Education Levels
Secondary School
Grade Levels Grades 1-11 (no 12th grade) Grades K-12
Compulsory Education
6-17 years 5-18 years
Age
School Year September - May August/September - May/June
Classroom Hours ~35 hours/week ~30-35 hours/week
State/Local curriculum with more
Curriculum Structure National curriculum with less flexibility
flexibility
Standardized tests (SAT, ACT) in High
Exams and Assessment State Exams in Grades 9 and 11
School
Grading System 12-point grading system A-F letter grades
University Entry Exams External Independent Testing (ZNO) SAT, ACT, or other entrance exams
Limited opportunities, mostly
Extracurricular Activities Wide range of clubs, sports, arts, etc.
academic-focused
Higher Education
Bachelor’s: 4 years; Master’s: 1-2 years Bachelor’s: 4 years; Master’s: 2 years
Duration
Greater emphasis on practical
Focus on Practical Skills Limited focus, more theoretical
application
Limited scholarships for international More scholarships available, need-based
Financial Support
students aid
Student-Teacher Ratio Typically higher Lower, more individualized attention
Teacher Qualifications Typically high academic standards Varies by state; required certification
Established support services in most
Special Needs Support Growing support, varies by school
schools
Class Size Often 25-30+ students Generally 20-25 students
Study Abroad
Limited Extensive exchange programs
Opportunities
Widespread use of technology and
Technology in Education Varies, especially outside major cities
resources
School Uniforms Common in many schools Less common