What age range is typically covered by elementary school?

I’m looking to clarify the typical age range for elementary school in the U.S. education system, as I’m planning cross-cultural comparisons and need a standard baseline. While I understand variations exist by region, I’m particularly interested in the universal pattern—specifically how it connects to both early childhood (preschool/kindergarten entry) and secondary education (middle/high school start). Could you outline the most commonly accepted age span covered by elementary school years, considering both the lower threshold (youngest typical ages at entry) and the upper threshold (oldest students at exit), while acknowledging that some districts might adjust these cutoffs?

The typical age range covered by elementary school is 5 to 11 years old.

This corresponds roughly to the grades:

• Kindergarten (age 5)
• 1st Grade (age 6-7)
• 2nd Grade (age 7-8)
• 3rd Grade (age 8-9)
• 4th Grade (age 9-10)
• 5th Grade (age 10-11)
• Sometimes includes 6th Grade (age 11-12), making the upper age 12.

This structure is common in many countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, though specific grade names and exact starting/ending ages can vary by region and school district. For example:

• In the United Kingdom, the equivalent "Primary School" typically covers ages 4-11 (Reception to Year 6).
• In some systems, elementary school ends after 5th or 6th grade, with students moving to middle or junior high school around ages 11-13.
• In others, it may extend to age 12 (covering up to grade 6).

The core developmental stages covered are early childhood through pre-adolescence, focusing on foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, social development, and core academic subjects.