The traditional start date for the school year has been
the Tuesday following the first Monday in September
(the day after Labor Day).
Though some schools still keep this tradition, many
schools now start in the last two weeks of August and
some schools in the first week in October. There are
also some schools that begin at the end of July and
early August.
Most colleges that use the quarter system have:
• a fall quarter from late September to mid-December;
• a winter quarter from early January to mid-March;
• a spring quarter from late March or early April to mid-June;
• an optional summer session.
Most universities on the semester system have:
• a fall semester from the day after Labor Day in September to mid-December;
• a spring/winter semester from late January to early May;
• an optional summer session.
College grades, determined by each instructor
on the basis of class work and examinations, are
usually on a five point scale, with letters to
indicate the levels of achievement.