In America, High school calls the final stage of primary education. It consists of 4 high school year names such as – 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. Further, using these numbers has to denote grade level. The Americans have kinds of titles for each grade in high school. Including- Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior.
Let us discuss the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior each in detail.
CONTENT INDEX
HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN, SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR, AND SENIOR
Who is a Freshman?
- A freshman is a student who is in grade 9, you might sometimes call it “Frosh”.
- The word “Freshman” derives from Modern English, which means either “Newcomer” or “Novice”.
- Dates back to the mid-16th century, Freshman is designated.
A Freshman is used to denote a University Student in the First year. These students are teenagers in 9th grade, starting at the age of 14 years and ending before turning 15.
Who is a Sophomore?
- A sophomore is a student who is in grade 10, you might sometimes call it “Sopho”.
- Dating back to the 1650s, Sophomore term was designated.
- The “sophomore” word derives from two Greek terms, One is Sophos, which means “wise”, and the other is Moros, which means “foolish”.
- It is a little bit awkward to say “Wise fool,” but we know, as a teenager, you are learning every day, and there are many things to learn, and that’s okay!
A Sophomore is used to denote a University Student in the Second year. These students are teenagers in 10th grade, starting at the age of 15 years and ending before turning 16.
Who is a Junior?
- A Junior is a student who is in grade 11.
- The word derives from two Greek terms.
- The designation of “Junior” describes someone younger than another.
- Juniors are the one who is considered Upperclassmen and begin their thinking on post-secondary options.
- In the relations, early on, Juniors were called “Junior Soph,” and Seniors as “Sophester.”
- Dating back to the end of the 13th Century, Juniors were designated.
A Junior is used to denote a University Student in the Third year. These students are teenagers in 11th grade, starting at the age of 16 years and ending before turning 17.
Who is a Senior?
- A Senior is a student who is in grade 12.
- Since the mid-14th century, the Senior word has been used in the English language to describe an older person or person of Authority.
- Whereas, used to indicate the Fourth year students after the 17th century.
- Senior begins to wrap up the narrowing of post-secondary options.
A Senior is used to denote a University Student in the Forth year. These students are teenagers in 12th grade, starting at the age of 17 years and ending before turning 18.
S. No. | Student’s Names | Grade Year | Age |
1.     | Freshman | 9th | 14-15 years |
2.     | Sophomore | 10th | 15-16 years |
3.     | Junior | 11th | 16-17 years |
4.     | Senior | 12th | 17-18 years |
High School Aesthetic Study Notes
ACCORDING TO COLLEGE CREDITÂ
Student classification in college differs from students in high school. As in high school, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior are classified based on their number of years in school or grade levels in school. While in college, students are classified on the basis of college credits that they have.
What are college credits in the USA? Let’s discuss about it!
- First, college credits can be earned by joining college-level classes.
- Second, by enrolling in a college or university.
- Third, by getting hold of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual enrollment courses in high school.
Besides high school credits, college credits are computed by earning a college degree. Moreover, the college credits which need to graduate determine by credits earned in school and degrees, both.
Usually, you need 60 credits for an associate’s degree, whereas, 120 for a Bachelor’s degree. In the majority of classes, you need three credits. For instance, when you attend a specific class each time, then, you also have to pass it subsequently. In this case, you earned credits a maximum of three or less than 3. The number of credits for each class depends on the duration (i.e., number of hours) that class meets weekly.
So, here you will know the classification of Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior in a college based on college credits.
FRESHMAN IN COLLEGE
The number of credits for a Freshman starts from Zero to 29 credits. Mostly students, who join a college consider a Freshman. But, if you had already earned more credits in high school, then, also, you can join as a Sophomore or a Junior.
- Throughout a Freshman year, you have a grip on General Education (Gen Ed) courses.
- These are the basic classes on a wide variety of subjects.
- For example: English, Maths, Science, History, and Sociology.
- Now, you are shocked at these subjects, that you have learned in high school.
- Despite this, you keep studying for the general requirements in the classes.
SOPHOMORE IN COLLEGE
The number of credits for a Sophomore has between 30 to 59 credits.
- During a Sophomore year, you will complete your General Education and prepare for the outset of your specialized courses.
- Furthermore, when you finish these specialized courses, then you will be allowed to enter higher-level courses.
- For instance, When you complete your introductory courses of Computer science, then now you will go for the advanced courses in computer science like Data structures and Algorithms, Operating system etc…
JUNIOR IN COLLEGE
The number of credits for a Junior has between 60 to 89 credits.
- Now, you can enroll in more advanced courses that are in your interests.
- During a Junior year, your class size diminishes, and have an interaction with your seniors.
- Mostly your classes will be held in auditoriums and seniors are sitting in front of you.
- You all are doing group discussions like sharing your own ideas and discussing related issues in the field of your interest.
SENIOR IN COLLEGE
The number of credits for Seniors has 90 or more credits. When you reach 90 credits, you are considered a Senior until you graduate.
- Now, you are a Senior, you have the responsibility to complete all your classes carefully.
- Also, you have to pass in all courses.
- You have the relative knowledge in the field that you are studying.
- You have to look up your Juniors and not speak wrong in any field.
- And most importantly, keep yourself on the right track!
S. No. | Student’s Names | College Year | College Credits |
1.     | Freshman | 1st | 0-29 |
2.     | Sophomore | 2nd | 30-59 |
3.     | Junior | 3rd | 60-89 |
4.     | Senior | 4rd | 90+ |
Now, you have a thorough understanding between high school students and college students have different names according to school grade level and college credits, respectively. You can learn by repeating it 2-3 times, and easy to remember it.
Difference Between US, UK, and India Education System
The Education Systems of the UK, India, and the USA are different from each other. Moreover, they are classified based on grade level, percentage, and grade year or college credit, respectively.
Age (Years) | UK School Year | Indian Class Year | US Grade Year |
3-4 | Nursery (Foundation) | Nursery/Pre-School | Pre-School |
4-5 | Reception (Foundation) | Lower KG | Pre-School |
5-6 | Year 1 (Key Stage 1) | Higher/Upper KG | Kindergarten |
 | Elementary School | Elementary/Primary School | |
6-7 | Year 2 (KS 1) | Class 1 | Grade 1 |
7-8 | Year 3 (Key Stage 2) | Class 2 | Grade 2 |
8-9 | Year 4 (KS 2) | Class 3 | Grade 3 |
9-10 | Year 5 (KS 2) | Class 4 | Grade 4 |
10-11 | Year 6 (KS 2) | Class 5 | Grade 5 |
 | Key Stage 3 | Upper Elementary School | Middle School |
11-12 | Year 7 | Class 6 | Grade 6 |
12-13 | Year 8 | Class 7 | Grade 7 |
13-14 | Year 9 | Class 8 | Grade 8 |
 | Key Stage 4 | Secondary school | High school |
14-15 | Year 10 | Class 9 | Grade 9 (Freshman) |
15-16 | Year 11 (GCSE’s or ‘O’ Level) | Class 10/Year 10 | Grade 10 (Sophomore) |
 | Key Stage 5 | Higher/Senior Secondary | |
16-17 | Year 12 | Class 11 | Grade 11 (Junior) |
17-18 | Year 13 (‘A’ Levels) | Class 12/Year 12 | Grade 12 (Senior) |
 | College/Undergraduate | College/Undergraduate | College/Undergraduate |
18-19 | First Year | First-Year | First Year (Freshman) |
19-20 | Second Year | Second Year | Second Year (Sophomore) |
  — | Third Year | Third Year | Third Year (Junior) |
  — | Fourth Year | Fourth Year | Fourth Year (Senior) |
Some Open-ended Questions are
Query1: What is the third year of college called?
Ans.: Junior is a third-year of college student according to the classification on college credits.
Query2: What grade is a 16-year-old in?
Ans.: Junior in grade 11 is a 16-year-old student in high school.
Query3: How old is a 10th grader?
Ans.: Students who are teenagers is a 10th graders, starting at the age of 15 years and ending before turning 16. And, this 10th-grade student is a Sophomore.
Query4: What are the 4 years of college called?
Ans.: Students classified for the four undergraduate years are- Freshmen sophomores, juniors, and Seniors based on the college credits earned by them.
Query5: What are freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior in college?
A Freshman is a 9th grade student in high school and a first-year student in College/University. A Sophomore is a 10th grade student in high school and a second-year student in a College/University. Junior is an 11th grade student in high school and a third-year student in a College/University. Senior is a 12th grade student in high school and a fourth-year student in a College/University.
Riya utwal