Elementary schools are an integral part of the educational system. They lay the foundation for students' future academic careers by providing a basic education that prepares them for higher-level learning. Synonyms for the term "elementary school" include primary school, grade school, grammar school, and infant school. These terms differ slightly in their geographic usage, discipline focus, and grade-level scope. Primary school is commonly used in the UK and Australia and refers to schools that cater to children aged 4 to 11. Grade school is a term used in North America, while grammar school emphasizes the teaching of language skills. Infant school is primarily used in the UK to describe schools that cater to children aged 4 to 7.