A primary school (from French école primaire) is an institution in which children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as primary or elementary education. Primary school is the preferred term in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth Nations, and in most publications of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In some countries, and especially in North America, the term elementary school is preferred. Children generally attend primary school from around the age of four or five until the age of eleven or twelve.

Australia

Main article: Education in Australia

In Australia, Primary School is generally for children aged 5–12. In South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland grade 7 is part of primary school; in other states it forms part of secondary education. In certain year groups, students in all schools take part in the National Assessment Programme (NAP). The year levels:

Year Ages Notes Preparatory 5-6 Referred to as 'Kindergarten' in New South Wales, though still a full part of the primary curriculum. Pre-primary schools, referred to elsewhere as kindergartens are referred to as preschools in NSW. 1 6-7 2 7-8 3 8-9 NAP-assessed year. 4 9-10 5 10-11 NAP-assessed year. 6 11-12 7 12-13 Only in QLD, SA and WA. Elsewhere, year 7 is the first year of high school. NAP-assessed year.

After primary school, students move on to high school.