Schools
School Types
Grade Levels/Class Status
Postsecondary Education
Snapshots
100

 A school for young children, usually ages 5-6, to learn basic skills before first grade.

Kindergarten
 

100

A private school that is run by a religious organization.

Parochial School (Religious)
 

100

A level of school that a student is in, usually numbered from 1st to 12th.

Grade

100

A school that offers two-year degrees and courses for adult learners.

Community College
 

100

An abbreviation for "Saint," often used in the names of schools or places.

St. 

Fingerspell "St. Joseph" 

200

A facility that looks after children during the day while their parents work.

Child Care Center / Daycare /Nursery
 

200

A public school that operates with more freedom to create its own rules and curriculum.

Charter School
 

200

A student in 3rd year of high school or college.

Junior
 

200

A larger institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.

University
 

200

A contraction used to show possession, like in "John's book," meaning the book belongs to John.

's 

Apostrophe S

300

A school for early education, typically for grades 1-5.

Elementary
 

300

A school that charges tuition and is not funded by the government.

Private School
 

300

Freshman
 A student in 1st year of high school or college.

Freshman

300

An institution for higher education where students earn degrees.

College
 

300

A university in Washington, D.C., that is specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, known for its programs and research.

Gallaudet University
 

400

 A school for students in grades 6-8, preparing them for high school.

Junior High / Middle School
 

400

A school where students live on campus during the school year.

Boarding School
 

400

 A student in 4th year of high school or college.

Senior
 

400

A school for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and want to earn a higher degree.

Graduate School
 

500

 A place for very young children (babies) to be cared for while their parents are at work.

Nursery
 

500

A school that is funded by the government and free for all students.

Public School
 

500

 A student in 2nd year of high school or college.

Sophomore
 

500

To finish a school program and receive a diploma or degree. Graduation is the ceremony that celebrates this achievement.

Graduate / Graduated / Graduation
 

600

A school for students in grades 9-12, where they learn subjects to prepare for college or work.

High School
 

600

A way of educating children at home instead of sending them to a traditional school.

Home School
 

600

To sign up for a class or school so that you can attend and learn.

Enroll / Enter
 

700

A school for children before they enter kindergarten, focusing on social skills and play.

Preschool
 

700

 A school where deaf students live and learn together.

Residential School for the Deaf/ Deaf Institute
 

700

To move from one school to another or from one program to another.

Transfer
 

800

Programs for adults to learn basic skills or new subjects after high school.

Basic Adult Education / Continuing Education
 

800

A school that provides education for deaf students during the day, while they go home at night.

Regional Day School for the Deaf/Deaf Institute
 

800

 A type of graduate school where students learn about laws and how to become lawyers.

Law School
 

900

A school that teaches skills for specific jobs, such as cooking or carpentry.

Vocational School
 

900

Public School - Deaf students attend regular classes with hearing students.


Mainstream

900

A graduate school that teaches students how to become doctors and provides training in medicine.

Medical School
 

1000

Public School: Classes specifically for deaf students.

Self-Contained Classrooms