Veera Korhonen
Research expert covering United States data for society
Elementary schools in the United States - statistics & facts
Elementary school, also known as primary or grade school, customarily covers the first six years of formal education in the United States. Starting at kindergarten, students stay in elementary school until fifth grade at least; depending on the district or state, elementary education can continue up to eighth grade. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, there were about 70,055 elementary schools operating in the United States between 2020 and 2021. Most students attend public elementary schools, where enrollment is free and eligibility is based on geographical boundaries. Alternatively, some parents pursue private schooling for their children, paying a premium for the possibility of obtaining a higher standard of education.
In recent years, minority students have been further affected by a rise in legislation restricting schools from teaching certain topics related to race and gender identity, as Republican lawmakers reason that elementary school students in particular should not learn about such things without parental permission. This classroom censorship has challenged public school teachers, with 41 percent agreeing that it has negatively impacted their ability to do their job as of 2023. However, findings also revealed that teachers were more likely to support restricting such instruction for elementary students specifically.
Another reason to fear for their physical safety at school was the threat of an active shooter incident. Between 2000 and 2022, elementary schools recorded 320 shootings, compared to only 162 shootings in middle schools. As many schools are already struggling to support their students, teachers play a significant role in the quality of education. Ensuring a safe environment on campus and providing adequate compensation for an increasingly dangerous career could be crucial to bring teachers back to the classroom and ultimately, provide all American children with an exceptional education.
Curriculum controversies
While private schools can choose their curriculum freely in the U.S., the curriculum of the public school system is determined by local authorities, with each state selecting course texts and curriculum literature to reflect its learning standards. Consequently, differences in educational methods have caused challenges nationwide. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress exam, American fourth graders are continuously scoring lower on mathematics and reading skills – with children of color facing increasing inequalities.In recent years, minority students have been further affected by a rise in legislation restricting schools from teaching certain topics related to race and gender identity, as Republican lawmakers reason that elementary school students in particular should not learn about such things without parental permission. This classroom censorship has challenged public school teachers, with 41 percent agreeing that it has negatively impacted their ability to do their job as of 2023. However, findings also revealed that teachers were more likely to support restricting such instruction for elementary students specifically.
The trouble for teachers
In the last few years, the number of teachers in elementary schools has been on a mostly upward trajectory. Yet, staff shortages are still causing many teachers to take on more than their official responsibilities entail. Additionally, despite the U.S. having one of the highest average teacher salaries, studies show that teachers still rank their pay as the least satisfactory aspect of the job. Instances of physical violence are also increasingly plaguing educators, particularly involving parents; as of 2023, fear of verbal or physical altercations with parents was a leading reason for public K-12 teachers to limit political discussions in class.Another reason to fear for their physical safety at school was the threat of an active shooter incident. Between 2000 and 2022, elementary schools recorded 320 shootings, compared to only 162 shootings in middle schools. As many schools are already struggling to support their students, teachers play a significant role in the quality of education. Ensuring a safe environment on campus and providing adequate compensation for an increasingly dangerous career could be crucial to bring teachers back to the classroom and ultimately, provide all American children with an exceptional education.
Veera Korhonen
,
Mar 25, 2025
Veera Korhonen
Research expert covering United States data for society
