middle school''?

Question

what is middle school in Spanish... i got like 3 different answers!!!

Answer 1

Because "middle school" seems a particularly American construct I would be very interested in what Spanish speakers in the US call middle school. Thank you Rosalind-Daz for the Puerto Rico perspective which is likely the closest I will find. And of course with the incredible variety of Spanishes within the United States words like this are likely to vary even from region to region within the country. That said, I think escuela intermedia is the best possible translation of middle school as it leaves the least room for ambiguity. It really emphasizes the notion that those years are an in-between stage. Escuela secundaria and colegio are too likely to be confused with senior high (grades 9-12) in the US.

Answer 2

I agree with the others; it depends on the country. In Puerto Rico, we have the same exact educational system as in the States. We use the word ¨colegio¨ for school, in general (also escuela, of course). Elementary school is escuela elemental, Jr. Hi is Intermedia and High School is escuela superior. College is universidad.

Answer 3

And (although you didn't ask) the situation's worse for "high school" which is, most often" "colegio" in Spanish and that, of course, sound like "college" to English speakers.

And in Chile "colegio" is a private school where as "liceo" is the public high school. - lachelvi, Jul 7, 2011

Answer 4

samdie said:

And (although you didn't ask) the situation's worse for "high school" which is, most often" "colegio" in Spanish and that, of course, sound like "college" to English speakers.

The word "college", like many other similar ones, is Latin for "co-llegium", where "co" means together, and "lego" (put together, collect). At some point this word (=gathering) became synonymous of school, and its scope changed from country to country, so you cannot translate literally.

Answer 5

You'll get over 30 answers: one for every country, because the education system changes from country to country.

Answer 6

thanks!!!

Valerie said:

The problem is that in different countries the school systems are different. Middle school usually means a school for (approximately ) 11-13 year olds. In Mexico, for example (or at least in the state of Yucatan), there is a school for 11-14 year olds called "secundaria"... but I'm sure different countries have other variations.

>

Answer 7

The problem is that in different countries the school systems are different. Middle school usually means a school for (approximately ) 11-13 year olds. In Mexico, for example (or at least in the state of Yucatan), there is a school for 11-14 year olds called "secundaria"... but I'm sure different countries have other variations.