Primary school

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In the United States, a primary school is the same thing as elementary school. It is for young students usually kindergarten to fourth or fifth grade (five to nine or ten years). In the United States elementary school is a more common term. Primary school is often used in private or independent schools. (In private or independent schools the government does not give the schools money.)

In the United Kingdom, a primary school usually comprises a nursery and the first 7 years of a child's full-time education.

In India, "Primary Education" means the 'Nursery', the 'Kindergarten' and four years of regular schooling thereafter. Admission to Nursery classes is for children above two years so that the age is 6+ when entering Class I. Children are taught language (mother tongue and English) reading/writing skill, basic arithmetic and quite a good amount of general information about the country, people, statesmen, great personalities, flora & fauna. However, this is true only for schools in the urban areas. Rural schools do not have "Nursery" or 'Kindergarten'; they admit straight at Class I when the child is six. Further, the rural schools use the mother tongue as medium of instruction, not resorting to English in any way. Primary education is free in government schools. Moreover, rural primary schools offer free mid-day meals to children (the government pays for it) so that the drop out rate comes down. States of West Bengal, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland and Kerala have shown exemplary actions in this aspect of spreading primary education.