Why do british students finish school at 16 and americans finish school at 18?

Question

just wondering coz i got confused :D lol

Answer 1

Dunno just the way the education is and how it's chosen lol

In germany they stay at school even longer if they want to

Answer 2

Soon this will not be true. By 2013 they will have raised the school leaving age to the year that pupils turn 17 and then after that to their 18th birthday. This doesn't mean they have to stay in school but they have to do some form of education or training.

Answer 3

Actually it's because we start High School at age 11/12 and leave at age 16.  Then we go to College for 2/3 years and then we can go to University for another 3/4 years.

I think in America, College and University are kind of the same level of education, both of which are started at age 18 if i'm not mistaken.

Oh and there's another reason...we're smarter than you.....no, only joking, it's the reason above, we have more educational stages to go through than you, although I started College at 15, only because GCSE's were too easy.

Answer 4

Its set by the Government. Obviously they believe maturity forms at different times, its also for social and cultural reasons.

And actually in the US they graduate at 17 or at least their supposed to. They have grade 12 and thats it off to college. Whereas we only have year 11 then 12/13 (if).

Answer 5

*bites tongue*  :P

In the UK, kids who complete 4 years of secondary (high school) education, can leave school.  There is an option to stay on for another two years though but it is optional.

*SL

Answer 6

You Actually don't finish school at 18. Maybe you got held back or something.

Answer 7

English people are more clever therefore allowed to leave earlier lol

Answer 8

American kids start full time education later than in uk.  in UK we have preschool/nursery and then kids start school at 4/5yrs.  in America kids have preschool/kindergarten but dont start proper education til about 6/7.  

I would like to point out that by about 8 american kids have caught up although they have had nearly 2yrs less 'schooling'  I believe we ask too much of our small kids although having play based learning is heading in right direction.

Answer 9

It's just that compulsory education ends in the UK at 16, but you can stay on until 18 if you want to.

I believe in the US you can drop out, but I don't know what the minimum age for that is.

Answer 10

its becoz we are allowd to finish school at any age.. if am in high school and am aged 14 onwards i could go to college or so...