Eighth grade
Eighth grade is the eighth post-kindergarten year of formal education in the US, and is typically the last year of middle school. In England and Wales, the equivalent is Year 9, and in Scotland, the equivalent is S2.
Africa
- In Nigeria Grade 8 is the second to last year of Junior high, as there are no Middle Schools in the Nigerian education system, elementary school ends in grade 6. Pupils are between the ages of 13 and 14.
- In Somalia, the eighth grade, which pupils are between the age of 12 and 14, is typically the final grade before high school.
- In South Africa, Grade 8 is the first year of high school.
- In Cameroon, Form 3 is the third year of Middle School.
Asia
- In Iran, 8th grade is second year of Highschool A. There are 2 stages of Highschool in Iran, A and B. A ranges from Grade 7 across Grade 8 to Grade 9.
- In India, 8th grade is the last grade before High School. 8th grade exam is the second last year the respective school will be setting the examination. Thereafter in tenth grade, the examinations are conducted by state or national boards. In India, 8th class education falls under the middle education system.
- In Sri Lanka, 8th grade is the last grade before High School. 8th grade exam is the last year the respective school will be setting the examination. Thereafter the examinations are conducted by state or national board.
- In Pakistan, Grade 8 is one of the years in middle school. Students in this class are thirteen to fourteen years old. 8th grade exams are conducted and managed by the Boards of Education in Pakistan.
- In Nepal Grade 8 is last grade before Secondary Education. In Grade 8, District Level Examination is conducted by District Education Office.
- In the Philippines, Grade 8 is the second year of Junior High School. Topics mainly discussed are the following subjects like, for the major subjects are Intermediate Algebra, Biology, Filipino subject with Florante at Laura, English and World History. Values Education, World Literature, MAPEH, Computer and TLE are some of the minor subjects. Students are usually 13–14 years old.
- In Singapore, 8th grade is equivalent of Secondary 2 level.
- In Malaysia, 8th grade also known as Form 2 in secondary school. The students at this stage are 14 years old, and it is the second year in the secondary school.
- In Indonesia, 8th grade is known as Kelas 2 SMP. Pupils usually are aged from 13 to 14 years old and graduate from Kelas 1 SMP in the middle of the year.
- In Hong Kong, 8th grade is called Form 2.
- In Afghanistan, 8th grade is the final year of middle school.
- In Oman pupils usually are aged from 14 to 15 years old.
- In Saudi Arabia, 8th grade is the second year of middle school.
- In Mongolia, 8th grade is the third year of Middle School. Usually children in 8th-grade ages from 13 to 14.
Europe
- In Spain, eighth grade was called 8º de EGB and is the last year in a colegio, before being enrolled into an instituto However under the present ESO system it is now the second year of ESO.
- In Denmark, eighth grade is called 8. Klasse being the second last year before being enrolled into a Gymnasium, which is similar to high school.
- 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 Greece, aged 13–14, eighth grade is called second year of gymnasium school or middle school or lower secondary school.
- In Poland, eighth grade is called 8. klasa. It's the last year of elementary school. Pupils are aged 13–15.
- 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. 8th grade is called 8. luokka in Finland.
- In Iceland, eighth grade is called 8.bekkur. Pupils are aged 13–14.
- In Ireland, eighth grade is equivalent to 2nd Year. Students are between 13 and 14 years old at the beginning of the year.
- 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. Students are usually between 13 and 14 years old.
- In Latvia, eighth grade is called 8. klase. Children are aged 11-12.
- In the Netherlands, eight grade is equivalent to the second year in secondary school.
- In Norway, the eight grade is the first year of Ungdomsskole, equivalent to Junior High School. The students enter the eight grade the year they turn thirteen.
- In Portugal, the eight grade is called 8 Ano and Pupils are aged between 12 and 13
- In Belgium, eight grade is also equivalent to the second year in middle school.
- In the United Kingdom:
- *In the English and Welsh school systems, eighth grade is equivalent to Year 9. These children are aged 13–14.
- *In Scotland eighth grade is equivalent to S2, or 2nd year. In Scotland students start primary education at an age of 4–5 and then move to high school when 11–12. Children are between 13 and 14 years old in this year.
- *In Northern Ireland, children aged 13–14 are in year 10 or 3rd year.
- In Romania, 8th grade is called "Clasa a VIII-a", and it is the last year of Gymnasium, followed by high school. Children usually aged between 13–14 are in this grade.
- In Croatia 8th grade is called "Osmi razred" and it is the last year of primary education before going to gymnasium or another secondary school. Children are ages between 13 and 14. Grades beyond 8th are not called 9th and so on, but rather 1st grade of secondary school.
- In Slovenia, 8th grade is the second to last year of primary school, with students 13 – 14 years of age. After primary school, students attend different High Schools.
- In Bulgaria, children aged 14–15 are usually in 8th grade, which is the 1st year of high school.
- in Kosovo, children aged 13 - 14 are in third year of middle school. In the old education system eighth grade was the first year of high school.
North America
- In Belize, Std. 6 is the last year in elementary school.
- 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 some parts of Canada, and much of British Columbia, 8th grade is the first year of high school, or secondary school. Students are usually 13–14 years old.
In Quebec, eighth Grade is equivalent to Secondary II or Secondary Cycle 1, Year 2.
The eighth grade mathematics curriculum in Canada usually includes either Pre-algebra or Algebra I. Occasionally, Geometry, 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, American history is often the primary focus in eighth grade social studies. Other schools may also focus on other subject areas such as geography and world history.
In the United States 41 states have implemented Common Core curriculum standards for English/Language Arts and Mathematics in 8th grade.
Key English/Language Arts standards for 8th grade include:
- Ability to write arguments and to support claims with relevant evidence; support with logical reasoning using accurate, credible source
- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences using relevant details and structured event sequences
- Ability to write in a manner that the organization, development, and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience
- Conduct short research products to answer questions, drawing on multiple print or digital sources; ability to assess credibility of each source
- Ability to use linear equations and systems to represent, analyze, and solve various problems
- Students recognize or as special linear equations and can interpret and express a relationship in terms of the situation
- Students understand the concept of a function as a rule that assigns exactly one output for one input
- Knowledge of distance and angles and ideas of translations, congruence, rotations, reflections, similarity
- Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to find distance between points on the coordinate plain, find lengths, and analyze polygons
Oceania
- In most states in Australia, this is called Year 8, which is the second year of high school. In South Australia, Year 8 is the first year of high school.
- In New Zealand, Year 9 is the equivalent of eighth grade, with students aged 13 or 14 at the beginning of the year. It is the first year of high school. Students in Year 9 typically study English, mathematics, science, social science, health and physical education, arts and technology.
South America
- In Brazil, the equivalent is nono ano. 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.