Eighth grade

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"Grade 8" redirects here. For the rock band, see Grade 8 (band).

Eighth grade (called Grade 8 in some regions) is a year of education in several nations. Students are usually 13 – 15 years old. The eighth grade is typically the final grade before high school, and the ninth grade of public and private education, following kindergarten and subsequent grades.

Eighth grade is usually the third of three grades or the second of two grades of middle school, or the second of three grades or first of two grades in junior high school, although some systems mark it as the final year of elementary school and some as the second year of high school (in Quebec or parts of Australia for example).

Africa

In Nigeria Grade 8 is the last year of Junior high, as there are no Middle Schools in the Nigerian education system, it is also the first year after Primary School. Pupils (called learners by the Department of Education) are between the ages of 13 and 14.
In South Africa, Grade 8 is the first year of High School.

Americas

In Belize, Std. 6 is the last year in elementary school.
In Brazil the minimum age required for eighth grade was recently changed from 12 to 13 years old.
In Chile, eighth grade is equivalent to 8° Básico the last year of Enseñanza básica for those who are aged 13–14.
In Mexico, eighth grade is equivalent to the second year of middle school for those who are aged 13–14.

Canada and the United States

In the U.S, Eighth Grade is most commonly thought to be a child's eighth year of education. However, for some, 8th Grade may be thought of as a child's 9th, 10th, or, possibly, 11th year of education. Though this depends upon whether or not the child attended Kindergarten and Preschool, and for how many years they attended Preschool (usually, a child attends Preschool for one year, but two years is somewhat common as well). Yet, most disagree to this due to the fact that Preschool and Kindergarten are considered to be years of preparation, rather than actual education. In some parts of Canada (such as Newfoundland), and much of British Columbia, 8th grade is the first year of high school/secondary school.

In Quebec, eighth Grade is equivalent to Secondary II (French: 2^e Secondaire ("Seconde")) or Secondary Cycle 1, Year 2.

The eighth grade mathematics curriculum in Canada and the United States usually includes either Pre-algebra or Algebra I. Occasionally, Geometry and/or Algebra II are also taught in very advanced schools. In some schools, especially the ones that are witnessing the required Basic Standards Test, basic everyday "real world" mathematical skills such as check writing, money management, and geometry are taught as well.

In cultural and language curriculum, many students may opt to take a foreign language course, either for a semester or the full school year.

In the United States, U.S. history is often the primary focus in eighth grade social studies.

Asia

In India 8th grade is the last grade before High Schools. In Pakistan, grade eight is one of the years in middle school. Students in this class are thirteen to fourteen years old.

In the Philippines, where a 10-year education program is in use, the equivalent of the eighth grade is the first year of high school. Students in this class are 13–14 years old. Now with K to 12 in effect it is formerly known as 2nd Year High School.

In Singapore, it is equivalent to Secondary 2. It is the second year of Secondary school, which has 4 to 5 years - depending on which system a student is in- in total. In Malaysia,8th grade also known as form 2 in the secondary school. The students at this stage is aged 14 years old. It is the second year in the secondary school.

Europe

In Spain, eighth grade is equivalent to the segundo curso de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria or ESO.
In France, eighth grade is equivalent to the third year of collège, the Quatrième or '4ème'.
In Germany, eighth grade is called 8. Klasse.
In Poland, eighth grade is equivalent to the second year of junior high school (gimnazjum). Children there are aged 14-15.
In Hungary, eighth grade is called 8. osztály, commonly the last year of elementary school. Other systems to group the grades are also present: for example, six years of elementary school then six years of high school; or four years of elementary then eight years of high school.
In Finland, children aged 14-15 are usually in 8th grade
In Ireland, eighth grade is equivalent is 2nd year or Dara Bhliain of secondary school.
In Italy, eighth grade is the final year of middle school. It is equivalent to what is colloquially referred to as terza media or terzo anno delle scuole medie (officially Scuola secondaria di primo grado).
In Latvia, eighth grade is called 8.Klase and is the last year of elementary school. Children are aged 14–15.
In the Netherlands, Groep 8 (literally means "group 8") is the final year of primary school. Children are aged 11–12. Intermediate/Middle/Junior High School is again entered in "de eerste klas" (1e klas). Eighth grade there is called de tweede klas (for 13–14 years olds) which literally means "the second class/year (in middle school)"".
In the United Kingdom:
- In the English and Welsh school systems, eighth grade is equivalent to Year 9 (Form 3). These children are aged 13–14.
- In Scotland eighth grade is equivalent to S1, where 'S' represents Secondary, or 1st year. As a reminder in Scotland students start primary education at an age of 4-5 and then move to high school when 11-12
- In Northern Ireland, children aged 13–14 are in year 10 or 3rd year (secondary school).

Oceania

In most states in Australia, eighth grade is the equivalent of Year 8, which is the second year of high school. In Queensland and Western Australia, Year 8 is the first year of high school.

In New Zealand, eighth grade is equivalent to Year 9 (formerly Form 3); for the majority of students, this is the first year of secondary school. Other systems to group the grades are also present: some students enter into an intermediate secondary school earlier than this, at Year 7; others stay in the same school for their entire education, as in composite or area schools.

Somalia

In Somalia, Children are aged 12–14. The eighth grade is typically the final grade before high school.