The American educational system is divided into several levels: elementary, middle, high school, and higher education. Students typically start elementary school around age 5 and progress through grades 1 to 5. After that, they attend middle school for grades 6 to 8, followed by high school from grades 9 to 12. Higher education includes colleges and universities, where students can earn degrees such as associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The system is largely decentralized, with each state having its own regulations and standards, which can lead to variations in curriculum and educational quality across the country.