Primary and Secondary Education in China
Currently a 12-year system of education is in effect, with children starting school at age 6.
- Elementary Education (Elementary School) is 6 years (ages 6-11) Grades 1-6
- Junior Middle School is 3 years (ages 12-14) Grades 7-9
- Senior Middle School is 3 years (ages 15-17) Grades 10-12
Senior Middle School offer three options. Students can opt for a regular senior middle school, a vocational school (2-4 years), or a secondary professional school (2-4 years).
Academic year begins in September and ends in July. It consists of two terms totaling 38 weeks of instruction. Education is conducted in Mandarin. In some cases, there is a practice of teaching in Mandarin and the dominant local language. Secondary education is compulsory until the ninth grade.
The Ministry of Education is responsible for implementing national education policy and regulations.
Grade conversion scales for China:
Most schools follow either the A-F scale or the 1-100 scale
(5-Point System)
| Letter Grade | Grade % |
Grade Description |
U.S. Grade Equivalence |
| A | 90-100 |
Excellent |
A |
| B | 80-89 |
Good |
B |
| C | 70-79 |
Average / Fair |
C |
| D | 60-69 |
Satisfactory / Pass |
D |
| F | 0-59 |
Fail |
F |
(4-Point System)
| Letter Grade | Grade % |
Grade Description |
U.S. Grade Equivalence |
| A | 85-100 |
Excellent |
A |
| B | 75-84 |
Good |
B |
| C | 60-74 |
Average / Fair |
C |
| F | 0-59 |
Fail |
F |
Credentials:
- Junior Middle School Graduation Certificate
- Senior Middle School Graduation Certificate
- Vocational Senior Middle School Graduation Certificate
- Specialized Technical Middle School Graduation Certificate
- Skilled-workers School Graduation Certificate
