Tenth grade

Tenth grade (called Grade 10 or Senior 2 in some regions, also known as "sophomore year" in the U.S.) is a year of education in the United States and many other nations.

United States - Canada

The tenth grade is the tenth school year after kindergarten and is called Grade 10 in some regions of the U.S., and in Canada. Grade 10 is a part of secondary school and in some parts of the USA it is the first year of high school. The English equivalent is Year 11. Usually, this is when children would leave compulsory education.

High school is often used instead of senior high school and distinguished from junior high school. Starting in ninth grade and ending in twelfth grade, grades are used in determining a student’s GPA (in the U.S.), and become part of a student’s official transcript. Therefore, students obtain much more control of their education and often may even choose their core classes.

In the U.S. curriculum for mathematics, tenth graders are usually taught Algebra II and/or Geometry as well as preparing students for pre-calculus and calculus.

In the U.S. curriculum for social studies, tenth grade students are taught recent US History from the Colonization Era and to the Early 20th Century. In some districts, Advanced Placement coursework, such as geography or European History, is first made available to students in this grade.

In Newfoundland, Canada, Grade 10 is most commonly called Level 1 as it is the first level of High School.

This grade is normally followed by eleventh grade,although some U.S. colleges will accept excelling students out of this grade as part of an early college entrance program.

Sophomore

In the U.S., tenth grade is also known as "sophomore" year. The word sophomore is ultimately from the Greek word "sophia", meaning wisdom or knowledge. It is listed as a North American English term by the Oxford English Dictionary [http://www.askoxford.com/results/?view=dict&freesearch=sophomore&branch=13842570&textsearchtype=exact] and it means little to the majority of English speakers outside the U.S.A.

Internationally

Africa

The equivalent to tenth grade in most parts of Africa is known as form 2.

Mexico and Israel

In those countries, the tenth grade is the beginning of the high school, which lasts only three years.

Australia

In Northern Territory, Australia it is the first year of high school. 10th grade is considered upper classman.

France

The Seconde, like the American and Canadian Grade 10, is the sophomore year for French high school students, even if the 'sophomore' concept has little meaning in this educational system (no Frenchman would use it nor eventually understand it at first glance)

India

The tenth grade, known as Standard X is very important in India. Known as the "matriculation" year, it is the final year of school. After the completion of class 10, the student is required to sit for national board exams or state board exams, commonly called "matriculation exams". Successfully passing these requirements, students are said to have "matriculated" and are eligible to enter "junior college" for two years (11th and 12th standard). Upon completion of class 12, students are then required to sit for the entrance examinations for their chosen course of study and university (see Twelfth Grade, India).

United Kingdom

In England and Wales, this is Year 11, which was the final year of compulsory education until new legislation in 2008 required students to say on for year 12. In Northern Ireland this is called Year 12. In Scotland, pupils may choose to leave at the age of fifteen years and six months, provided they have a place at college or other institute - although they will still be regarded as in full time education and will still do the same hours as other pupils. They may leave at this age if they have a secured apprenticeship. A general education certificate will be awarded if the pupils sit the end of year examinations - GCSEs for pupils in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, and Standard Grades in Scotland. In Year 11, students take their GCSEs in as many as fifteen subjects. With grades ranging from A* (generally 90%) to U (ungraded), these exams are vital for getting employment or college places. GCSEs are taken in May and June.

Pupils may go on to sit 'A' Levels or Highers in state schools, Scottish students then may wish to do advanced highers (which are the equivalent to the first year of university), or may choose to enter a Further Education course in state or private institutions.