what is a k12 school

K-12 is a term used in education and educational technology in the United States, Canada, and some other countries, referring to the publicly supported school grades prior to college. The term is a shortening of kindergarten (K) for 5-6 year-olds through twelfth grade (12) for 17-18 year-olds, as the first and last grades, respectively, of free education in these countries. K-12 education is the foundation of a students academic career, providing the basic knowledge and skills necessary for success in college and the workplace. K-12 schools are usually divided into three levels: elementary school (grades K-5), middle school or junior high school (grades 6-8), and high school (grades 9-12). In some instances, these three groups are kept separate; in others, elementary and middle school are grouped together, but high school is kept separate. In other cases, all levels are held together on the same campus. K-12 education is free in the U.S., with most schools being public.