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Canadian Education System
Do you have kids or plan on having some? Find out more on Canada's educational system
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Canada's education system is always ranked in the top 10 worldwide, according the OECD's annual Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). This test, which evaluates acquired knowledge of 15 year olds, ranks Canada as 7th in Sciences, 2nd in Reading, and 10th in Mathematics, out of 70 countries in 2016.
In Canada, there is no ministry of education at the federal level. However, every province and territory has its own education system, although they are quite similar. For primary and secondary levels, education is generally free for residents. As Canada is a bilingual country, French language schools are available across the country. |
How are classes organized in Canada?
The 13 years of elementary and secondary education are divided into increments called grades (kindergarten and grades 1 to 12). Elementary school generally starts for 6-year-old children and they advance one grade per year till grade 12 at age 18. Below is the grade structure that is used in most provinces and territories:
Age |
Grade |
School |
2 - 5 years old |
- |
Pre-school or Kindergarten |
6 - 11 years old |
1 - 6 |
Elementary |
12 - 14 years old |
7 - 9 |
Junior High |
15 - 18 years old |
10 - 12 |
Senior High |
Generally, during elementary school, a student will only have one professor for all related subjects.
Religion and Language
Almost all public schools in Canada are not religious-based establishments. However, there are some exceptions in Alberta, Ontario, the Northwest Territories, and Saskatchewan. In these provinces, there are still some Catholic and Protestant publicly-funded district school boards.
In Quebec, children have to go to French schools till they finish high school. The only exception is if one of the child's parents was in an Canadian English school. Immigrants from other countries must attend a French school.
On the same note, in the other provinces and territories, children can attend French schools only if one of their parents is francophone or attended a Canadian French School.
In Quebec, children have to go to French schools till they finish high school. The only exception is if one of the child's parents was in an Canadian English school. Immigrants from other countries must attend a French school.
On the same note, in the other provinces and territories, children can attend French schools only if one of their parents is francophone or attended a Canadian French School.
Choosing a Public School and Registration
If you are to put your children in a public school, they will most likely have to go to a school near your home. If you have targeted a particular school outside your school district, you will need either to (i) buy/rent near the school, or (ii) request that your children attend that school outside your area. For the second option, you should check with your school district if this is possible.
To register your children, you will have to provide the following: proof of status in Canada, proof of residence, passport, child's birth certificate and medical history (immunizations against polio, DTP, MMR and tuberculin screening).
Parents need to also to not forget their children's school reports from their home country. Schools in Canada will ask for these reports so that they can refer your students to the right grade. This is why the reports should be very detailed, and any additional document will be helpful (such as exams, projects, etc.).
You will need to check if your city provides bus transportation for your children to school. It is usually the case, but it may only be available under certain conditions of age, school district and distance to the school.
To register your children, you will have to provide the following: proof of status in Canada, proof of residence, passport, child's birth certificate and medical history (immunizations against polio, DTP, MMR and tuberculin screening).
Parents need to also to not forget their children's school reports from their home country. Schools in Canada will ask for these reports so that they can refer your students to the right grade. This is why the reports should be very detailed, and any additional document will be helpful (such as exams, projects, etc.).
You will need to check if your city provides bus transportation for your children to school. It is usually the case, but it may only be available under certain conditions of age, school district and distance to the school.
About School Hours
The school year in Canada usually runs from the first week of September until the end of June (ten months) and is divided into periods or quarters (terms/semesters).
The school day in elementary schools is usually from 8.30 AM to 3 or 3.30 PM. In secondary schools, hours are usually from 8.30 AM until 2.30 PM. Students can play sports and invest in extracurricular after school hours.
In public schools, Saturdays and Sundays are free and classes are from Mondays to Fridays.
The school day in elementary schools is usually from 8.30 AM to 3 or 3.30 PM. In secondary schools, hours are usually from 8.30 AM until 2.30 PM. Students can play sports and invest in extracurricular after school hours.
In public schools, Saturdays and Sundays are free and classes are from Mondays to Fridays.
Examination and Grades
As soon as a student begins its education in a public school, a 'record file' is created and is updated throughout the years until graduation from high school.
In Canada, the grading system used in high schools is as follows:
In Canada, the grading system used in high schools is as follows:
Grade |
Score out of 100 |
Category |
A |
90 - 100 |
Excellent |
B |
80 - 89 |
Good |
C |
70 - 79 |
Average / Fair |
D |
60 -69 |
Poor |
F |
Below 60 |
Fair |
