Typically have 4-6 programs annually (e.g., Christmas, Mother's Day, Spirit Week).
Activities like Pajama Day, Crazy Hair Day.
Mexican Schools:
Celebrate events such as Independence Day, United Nations Day, Revolution Day, Day of the Dead, Christmas, Three Kings Day, Valentine's Day, and Mother's Day.
Includes parades, costumes, food, music, and dancing.
Schools march in formation, sometimes creatively with costumes and music.
2. Patriotism
US Schools:
Display the flag in front of schools and inside classrooms.
Pledge of Allegiance is recited weekly.
National anthem played at sporting events.
Mexican Schools:
Typically do not display flags.
Have a color guard (escolta) in every school.
Weekly flag ceremony includes national anthem, state song, and pledge (juramento a la bandera).
Competitive color guard performances between schools.
3. Uniforms
US Schools:
Generally, no uniforms or relaxed uniform policies.
Example: Pants in certain colors, polo shirts in various colors.
Mexican Schools:
Strict uniforms required, even in preschool.
Standard uniform includes shirts, cardigans, skirts for girls, slacks for boys, knee-high socks.
PE days require sweats and school t-shirt or polo.
4. Testing and Grades
US Schools:
Frequent standardized testing starting from elementary levels.
Grades typically range from A to F.
Mexican Schools:
Few standardized tests in elementary/middle school; more in high school.
Monthly exam weeks scheduled for all subjects.
Grading scale from 1 to 10.
5. Books
US Schools:
Classrooms have sets of textbooks used repeatedly.
Use of notebooks and worksheets for tracking work.
Mexican Schools:
Government issues textbooks and workbooks for grades 1-6; others must purchase books.
Separate notebooks for each subject, tagged with student's name.
6. Library
US Schools:
Most schools have large libraries with various books.
Elementary students visit libraries weekly to check out books, fostering a culture of reading for fun.
Mexican Schools:
Typically lack dedicated library rooms.
Books are limited to classroom shelves or carts.
7. Teachers' Names
US Schools:
Students address teachers with titles and last names (e.g., Miss Rogers, Mr. Jones).
Mexican Schools:
Teachers addressed by first names with a title (maestro/profe for men, maestra for women).
English teachers addressed as "Teacher" followed by first name (e.g., Teacher Lisbe).
8. Buses
US Schools:
Common for students to use school buses for transportation.
Mexican Schools:
Few schools have buses; often a paid service.
Parents typically transport children by car, city bus, or accompany them walking.