The US goes something like this: pre-school, kindergarten, elementary school (1-8) High School (9-12)
This might be further differentiated as middle school and jr high school. If I remember, it's been a long time, You have to turn by the time school starts which can vary from the last week in August to the first week in September.
There has recently been standardized testing. They may have to take test for placement.
Also see:
No Child Left Behind Act - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I'm not current as to particulars.
Testing is now required for math placement in many colleges.