K–12 (spoken as "k twelve", "k through twelve", or "k to twelve") is a term for the sum of primary and secondary education. It is used in the United States, Canada, South Korea, Turkey, the Philippines, Egypt, and Australia. P–12 is also occasionally used in Australia. The expression is a shortening of kindergarten (K) for 4- to 6-year-olds through twelfth grade (12) for 17- to 19-year-olds, the first and last grades of free education in these countries, respectively. Also called ELHI, as a short for elementary to high school.