1.
elementary school, primary school
A school for children aged 6-12, covering grades 1-6 in Japan.
小学校 is elementary school, the first stage of Japan's compulsory education system.
STRUCTURE:
- Ages: 6-12 years old
- Grades: 1-6 (一年生〜六年生)
- Duration: 6 years
- Part of 義務教育 (compulsory education)
JAPANESE SCHOOL SYSTEM:
- 小学校: elementary school (6 years)
- 中学校: middle school (3 years)
- 高校/高等学校: high school (3 years)
RELATED VOCABULARY:
- 小学生: elementary school student
- 入学する: to enter school
- 卒業する: to graduate
- 給食: school lunch
NOTE:
Public elementary education is free. Most students walk to their local school and wear a backpack called {ランドセル}.