How do you say "school?" (elementary school, high school, college, etc.)

Question

I hear so many different answers from different Spanish speakers to this question. In my Spanish classes in middle/high school, we learned that "colegio" is high school and "universidad" is college (both college and university). However, sometimes I talk to someone who takes "colegio" to mean "college" (which it sounds like) and universidad to mean "university" only (not a 2-year college). Google translate gives me "escuela secundaria" and "liceo" for high school and "escuela primaria" for elementary school. University is "universidad" and college is "colegio."

I was just wondering, Spanish-speakers, how do you say these different levels of school? Elementary school, middle school, high school, college, university, etc.? Are there regional differences in these words?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Escuela Primaria = Elementary School

• Escuela Secundaria/Bachillerato = High School.
• Corporación Universitaria = College
• Universidad = University
• Most people will call universities "Colleges" but "Corporación Universitaria" is the closest match. A "Corporación Universitaria" has less programs and are smaller.

Interesting, thanks. May I ask where you are from? I've never heard "bachillerato" before. You don't have to answer if you don't want to. - stfrancisfan1215, May 15, 2012

It would be rude not to answer your question and it is my pleasure. I am Colombian and bachillerato is from 6th to 11th grade which is the last grade of H.S. - farallon7, May 15, 2012

Of course others countries have different names and years. When I went to school, we had grades 1 to 7 in elementary, and then 1 to 6 in high school. After that I went 6 years to the university to get my engineering degree. - 00d312f5, May 15, 2012

13 years of Elementary and H.S? Wow! - farallon7, May 15, 2012

farallon7-Thanks for your answer. - stfrancisfan1215, May 17, 2012

Guimmys-Yes, I know other countries have different names and years for school. I was asking specifically about the different in school level names between Spanish-speaking countries and regions. Thanks for your answer! - stfrancisfan1215, May 17, 2012

Totally my pleasure@ - farallon7, May 17, 2012

Answer 2

I think this will vary by country and maybe even by region. Here in Baja there is Escuela Primaria, Escuela Secundaria, and Prepa/Bachillerato. Equivalent to Grade School, Jr High and High School in the US. Then there are many terms for college/university depending on the program.

Yes, many variations. Thanks! - stfrancisfan1215, May 17, 2012