Eleventh grade

Eleventh grade (also known as 11th Grade, Grade 11, or Junior year) is the eleventh year of formal or compulsory education. It is typically the 3rd year of high school. Students in eleventh grade are usually 16–17 years of age.

Australia

In Australia, Year 11 is the twelfth year of education and fifth year of high school education. Although there are slight variations between the states, most students in Year 11 are aged around fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen. In Queensland, Year 11 students are the youngest in the country, as they usually enter at age fifteen.

In New South Wales, Year 11 is the shortest year as it only lasts three whole terms. Students commence Year 12 in Term 4 instead of completing a fourth term of Year 11.

Year 11 is followed by Year 12, the final year of high school.

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, students get admitted in the 11th grade after passing the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. Educational institutions offering the 11th–12th grade education are known as colleges. To study in the 11th grade, students must choose one of the three streams. (i.e., science, humanities, business studies.)

Belgium

In Belgium, the 11th grade is called "5e secondaire" in the French speaking part of the country, "5de middelbaar" in the Dutch speaking part and "5te sekundäre" in the German speaking part of Belgium.

Brazil

In Brazil, the eleventh grade is the "segundo ano do ensino médio", meaning "second grade of high school". Students tend to be 16 years old.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, the 11th grade is the penultimate year of the high-school (gymnasium) stage. Students tend to be 17–18 years old.

Canada

In all provinces and territories except Quebec, a student continues to Grade 12 to complete their high school (or secondary) education. In Quebec, Grade 11 (sec. 5) is the final year of secondary education, followed by CEGEP (college), a pre-university level unique to Quebec.

Colombia

In Colombia, all eleventh-grade students are required to complete an internship, known as alphabetisation, to distinguish it from university-level internships. These internships typically focus on community service, with students engaging in activities such as teaching in schools, assisting in hospitals, or supporting libraries.

Additionally, students must take the ICFES National Test, a standardized exam required for graduation and higher education admission. They are also required to present themselves for the Colombian Army draft. However, since most eleventh-grade students are 16–17 years old, the army cannot legally recruit them due to age restrictions. In most cases, participation in the draft process is substituted by paying a monetary fee.

Egypt

Among Egyptian students it is called تانية ثانوي (tanya thanawy), which means "the second year of secondary school". In this year, students have the choice to enter either the scientific or literature section. In the scientific section, applied mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics are studied, while in the literature section, history, geography, philosophy and psychology are studied. Both sections study Arabic, foreign languages and mathematics as common subjects between them. After finishing 3 years of secondary school, students can apply to a college depending on their chosen section.

Finland

In Finland there are three years of high school. 11th grade is the second.

France

The equivalent is the Première, which is the penultimate year of Secondary education in France (followed by the Terminale).

Greece

In Greece, the 11th grade is called the second year of lyceum school, high school, or upper secondary school. (Deutera Lykeiou – Δευτέρα Λυκείου) It is the penultimate year of secondary education, but it is not compulsory to attend.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, 11th grade is called Form 5. Students attending local schools in Hong Kong will study four core subjects in preparation for the HKDSE. (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination) These include Chinese language, English language, mathematics, and citizenship and social development.

India

In India, the 11th Grade is the first year of higher secondary education and is often considered the third year of high school (Higher/Senior Secondary School or Senior High School). It is commonly known as "Class 11" or "Plus 1" (derived from "10+1") and, in some states, as the first year of Junior College (Intermediate or Pre-University Course). Other regional names include Intermediate 1st Year, HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate), FJYC (First Year Junior College), and 1st PUC (1st Year Pre-University Course).

During this year, students choose one of three academic streams for specialized study: Science, Commerce, or Arts/Humanities. The Science stream includes core subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics/Applied Mathematics, and English or a Modern (Indian/Foreign) language, with optional subjects such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Psychology, and Biotechnology. The Commerce stream covers Accountancy/Financial Studies, Business Studies/Business Administration, and Economics, with optional subjects like Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing. The Arts/Humanities stream offers languages, social studies (History, Political Science, Geography, Economics), and optional subjects such as Psychology, Fine Arts, and Computer Science. Students typically select five to nine subjects, including a compulsory language, an optional subject, and a vocational subject, though offerings vary by institution.

Stream selection may depend on school-conducted model exams, influencing future university studies. While students can switch from Science to other streams during the year, the reverse is usually not allowed. Additionally, students begin preparing for national and state-level entrance exams, which are taken after completing the 12th Grade.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, after appearing for Class X Boards, the students opt for the programs they want to study.

There are three programs:

• Science, which comprises physics, chemistry and biology
• Social, which comprises economy, geography and sociology
• Language, which comprises foreign languages, Indonesian literature and anthropology

Ireland

In Ireland, it is Fifth Year or Cúigú Bhliain of Secondary School. (for 15 to 17-year-olds, as there is an optional year beforehand) In this year, students prepare for their Leaving Certificate.

Lebanon

11th Grade is also known as grade 11 or premiere. Students are divided into either scientific (which then proceeds to become life science [LS or SV]) or general science (GS or SG) in grade 12, as well as economics (ES or SE) which proceeds to become economics (ES or SE) or humanities (H) in grade 12. The choice of division is done according to grades and sometimes according to what the student wants to do in college. A student can go from scientific to economics later in grade 12, but not the opposite.

Nepal

In Nepal, students complete their SEE boards. Afterwards, they used to start 11th Grade as starting of "college level education". It is now considered higher secondary education. Students can take in 3 different streams, plus 2. (11, 12)

• Science
• Arts
• Management

Mathematics, social studies, Nepali, and English are compulsory subjects in all streams, but the students can opt to take one subject between math and social.

Palestine

In 11th Grade, ages of the students average at around 16-17. 11th Grade is when Palestinian students do their final tests for most of the subjects for their high school diploma.

Many students consider it to be the hardest, and most stressful year. In most schools, they do the final test for every subject besides English, math, and Arabic.

Malaysia

In Malaysia, 11th grade also known as Form 5 in secondary school. The students at this stage are 17 years old, and it is the fifth and last year in the secondary school. (compare to Form 6/12th grade) This year is critical as the students in this stage sit for one of the biggest and most important national exams; the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Exam. This is a crucial exam that determines the future of the student. (Form 6, A-Levels, foundation, or Diploma) Some of them even start work immediately after their SPM.

Mexico

In some parts, 11th Grade is the second year of high school. Most students enter this grade at the age of 16, but some might enter as early as 15 or as late as 17.

Norway

In Norway, the eleventh year of education is the first year of Videregående skole, equivalent to high school. It is not referred to as the 11th Grade, but rather the first grade of Videregående, or VG1. Although Videregående skole is not compulsory for Norwegians, approximately 93% of people aged 16–18 enroll. There is no upper age limit for starting or finishing Videregående skole, but students cannot enroll earlier than the year they turn 16.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, Year 12 is the equivalent of 11th Grade, with students aged 16 or 17 during the years. It is the fourth year of secondary school and the twelfth year of compulsory education. During Year 12, most students complete Level 2 of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), the country's main national qualification for secondary school students. Students in Year 12 typically study English (or Te Reo Māori) and a minimum of five elective subjects with mathematics highly recommended.

Pakistan

11th Grade is the first of the two years in college (12th Grade being the last and final year before university education) and is equivalently referred to as "first year." Students in this year level are 15 to 16 years old. Students get to select from the following subjects:

Pre-medical (biology, physics, chemistry)

Pre-engineering (math, physics, chemistry)

Commerce

Humanities

Science

Home economics

Arts

And the compulsory subjects Urdu, Islamic studies, (1st year only) and Pakistan studies. (2nd year only) The students can select the preferred subject on the basis of SSC results. (9th and 10th grade)

Philippines

In the Philippines, 11th Grade or Penultimate Year (Filipino: Baitang Labing-isa) is the first year of Senior High School and the fifth year of the High School curriculum. Topics discussed depend on the four tracks and their strands.

• Academic Track
  • ABM (Accountancy, Business & Management)
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)
  • HUMSS (Humanities & Social Sciences)
  • GAS (General Academic Strand)
  • Pre-Baccalaureate Maritime
• Technical-Vocational Track
  • Agri-Fishery arts
  • Home economics
  • Industrial arts
  • Information Communications Technology (ICT)
  • TVL Maritime
• Sports track
• Arts and design track

Since June 13, 2016, with the start of school year 2016–2017 as part of the K–12's 9-year implementation process. Students are usually 16–17 years old. Students can also start at the age of 15–16 years old.

Russia

The 11th Grade is final year of secondary education as well as the end of the high school. It is also an examination-al year, when training to USE is being more powerful than in tenth grade. Priority of education in this year is given to repeat the material learned in high school (fifth to tenth years) in mathematics, Russian language, and in exam subjects by pupils' choice.

Singapore

In Singapore, 11th grade is equivalent of Secondary 5 level.

Only people taking N Levels (normal academic levels) will go to secondary 5, those in express streams will take their O levels (ordinary levels) in secondary 4, and then continue to a Junior College for 2 years or Polytechnic for 3 years.

Spain

The closest equivalent to the eleventh grade is the first year of Bachillerato. It is for pupils aged 16 to 17. It is a year of many changes when pupils can start to choose what they would like to study in the future at university. There are three types of “Bachilleratos”:

Main subjects: Spanish, English, Physical education and philosophy.

Science: math, physics and chemistry and biology and geology (health-orientated degrees) or technical drawing.

Humanities/Sociology: Latin and Greek or math oriented for sociology and economy, history and literature.

Arts: music, drama class, design, history of art.

Sweden

This is the first year of Upper Secondary School.

United Kingdom

England and Wales

Main article: Sixth form

Year 12, or Lower Sixth form, is comparable to the 11th grade in the US. It is the sixth and penultimate year of secondary education. During Year 12, students usually take the first half of three or four A-Level or equivalent subjects. Some students take Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS-Level) exams at the end of Year 12.

Students then enter Year 13 (equivalent to 12th grade) continuing to study three or four A-Levels, with most (65.8%) taking three A-Levels at 18. Successful completion generally results in the award of A-Level qualifications, though BTECs can be received.

Scotland

In Scotland, fifth year (of secondary education) or S5 is optional. Pupils will generally sit Higher qualifications which form the core entry requirements for university. It is followed by an optional final sixth year. (also known as S6) The students ages normally range from 16 to 17 in this year.

Northern Ireland

The system is similar to the English one at this age. Lower Sixth Form (Year 13) pupils start on a two-year course; at the end of which they will hopefully have gained three 'A' Levels in their chosen subjects.

United States

In the US, a student in the eleventh grade is typically referred to as a junior.

The vast majority of students who are classified as juniors take the SAT Reasoning Test and/or ACT in the second semester of their third year of high school.

Math students usually take algebra II, but classes like trigonometry or precalculus are sometimes offered for students who wish to take Advanced Placement math classes in their fourth, or senior year of high school. Depending on the location, there may be a combination of any of the listed subjects. They may also take easier courses such as algebra I and geometry if they do not have the required prerequisites for the more advanced courses that are listed above. Students who are advanced in mathematics often take calculus or statistics.

In science classes, third-year students are typically taught biology, physics, or chemistry, with a strong emphasis on laboratory work.

In English class, a college-preparatory curriculum commonly includes American literature. Often, English literature is taught in the third year of high school. Key works may include The Glass Menagerie, The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Grapes of Wrath, and works by authors like Jonathan Edwards, Amy Tan, and Lorraine Hansberry.

In a social studies curriculum, third-year students in the United States are typically taught US history, often covering the period from the 1870s to the 21st Century. These courses may also be taught in ninth or tenth grade. Students may also explore more advanced world culture and geography, as well as other social sciences such as psychology, economics, sociology, and government.

Many high school third-year students in the United States choose to take a foreign language, even though it is not always required in all secondary school curricula.

While normally followed by twelfth grade, some colleges will accept excelling students out of this grade as part of an early college entrance program. Alternatively, some students may choose to graduate early through standardized testing or advanced credits.

See also

• Educational stage
• Ninth grade
• Tenth grade
• Twelfth grade
• Senior secondary education