Eighth grade

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For the rock band, see grade 8 (band).

Eighth grade (called Grade 8 in some regions) is a year of education in the United States and many other nations. The eighth grade is the eighth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 13–14 years old. Traditionally, eighth grade was the final year of elementary school. In the United States and Canada, however, it is now usually the last part of middle school.

The eighth grade mathematics curriculum in the United States as well as Canada includes either pre-algebra, Algebra I, or geometry. Occasionally Algebra II is also taught. In some schools, especially the ones that are witnessing the required Basic Standards Test, basic everyday math skills such as check writing, money management, and geometry are taught as well.

[edit] International equivalents

Many other countries use numerical levels for primary schooling. The U.S. eighth grade is equivalent to Canadian Grade 8 and German Klasse 8. In the Netherlands Groep 8 is the final year of primary school at about 12 in age. Intermediate/Middle/Junior High School is again entered in "de eerste klas" (1e klas). The school is entered in group 1 at the age of four. The New Zealand equivalent is Form 3 or Year 9 (Form 1 being Year 7 or Grade 6 and Form 2 being Year 8 or Grade 7), the first year of High School. Formal education continues until at least 16 dependent on the type of secondary school; which start counting anew at class-level 1. Grade 8 is not equivalent to Year 8 (Form 2) in the English and Welsh school systems, which is for students 12–13 years old and is the second year of secondary school. Eighth grade is actually equivalent to Year 9.^{[citation needed]} In Northern Ireland, thirteen to fourteen year-olds are in Third Form (Year 10) while in Scotland this year is referred to as Secondary 2. In France, Eigth grade is the equivalent of the first or second year of collège.

In Brazil now, the time for elementary school were recently raised from 8 to 9 years, and the minimum age required to the eighth grade was changed from 12 to 13 years old.