Figure 1.--This white border photograph shows an American city primary school in 1926. Notice the typical brick construction. We do not know the grade level, but we would guess the 5th grade meanimg 10-year olds. The boys mostly wear white shirts and ties, several wear suits. All are wearing knickers, most with black long stockings, but knee socks have begun to appear. Low-cut shoes have also begun to appear. The girls all wear longish dresses. Blouses and skirts are not yet common. Note all the bangs amd hair bobs. The hair bows so common in th 1910s have disappeared. The boys do not have bangs.

Primary education in America had been a largely an 8 year program in rural school. This means children 6-13 years of age. This finally changed in the 1920s as the poplation becme increasibgly urban. In city schools, 6 years became the norm for primary scgools. A 6-year program means children 6-11 years of age. The 1920s was the decade that American finally shifed to a majority urban country. This meant that more children were being educated in city porimaries which meant mostly schools with 6 year programs before passing to junior highs or some kind of middle school. Primary sdchools began with 1st grade when the children were about 6 years old. This has become the standard around the world. Some city schools had Kinfdergartens, but most children began school with 1st grade at age 6 years. 1st graders are usually easy to spot. The other grades are more difficult to ientify precisely unless indicated. And states were faced with the need to transition away from small rural schools which were expensive to operate.

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Created: 7:52 AM 4/22/2026
Last updated: 7:52 AM 4/22/2026