Settling into Life in Canada

Your Children's Education

Education is considered very important to all Canadians, whether or not they are parents. A good education helps ensure children will have the best opportunities available to them, and investing in education is considered an investment in the future of Canada.

In Canada, the education system is run by the provincial governments. Every province or territory has a Department or Ministry of Education. The federal government plays a role as well, mostly through funding.

Your children will have the same access to education regardless of where you live.

Mandatory Schooling

Generally, children between the ages of six and 16 must attend school. Younger children go to elementary school (Grade 1 to Grade 8) while preteens and teenagers go to secondary school or “high school” (Grade 9 to Grade 11 in Quebec and Grade 9 to Grade 12 elsewhere).

Kindergarten, or pre-school, is not mandatory, but many parents enroll their 4- or 5-year-olds to help them get ready for Grade 1.

The school year runs from September to June, but some schools operate year round or have an extended school year. Children go to school five days a week, normally for about six hours a day, and they are responsible for their own lunches (brought from home or purchased at the school).

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Enrolling Your Children

Children must be enrolled in a school in order to attend classes. To enroll your children, you will need their birth certificates and other identification (such as their Record of Landing, Permanent Residence Card, passport). You may also be asked to bring immunization records and past school and health records. Check with your provincial/territorial Ministry of Education to find out more.

Public Versus Private Education

There are different types schools in Canada. Depending on where you live, you may choose from:

• Public — The public school system in Canada is free. Funding comes from a variety of sources, but mostly through your taxes. Children attending public schools are not required to wear uniforms.
• Separate — Some provinces also offer “separate schools,” which focus on both education and certain religious beliefs — mostly Catholic. The separate school system is also funded by taxes.
• Private — Private schools charge tuition fees, and can be expensive. Some offer a specialized curriculum based on language, religion or academic ability.
• Home schooling — Parents can choose to teach their children at home, but they are expected to meet the same standards and follow the requirements of the public system.

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A Note about High Schools

After Grade 8, children in most provinces enter high school until Grade 12. Academic high schools focus on preparing kids for university or college, while vocational schools prepare them to enter the workforce or study a trade.

Quebec students attend high school until Grade 11 and then enter Cégep (collèges d’enseignement général et professional), where they study for another two or three years to prepare for university or a professional program.

Postsecondary Education

Postsecondary education goes a long way in preparing your child for a prosperous future, as it opens up career options they may not otherwise have. After high school, students can apply to continue studying at a college or university. Postsecondary education in Canada is not free. Some bursaries, scholarships and financing are available, but tuition is the responsibility of the student.

• Universities grant undergraduate degrees (such as a Bachelors) and graduate degrees (Masters, Doctorates) in academic areas.
• Colleges generally offer vocational-based education and grant certificates or diplomas.
• Career colleges usually focus on one area (such as information technology) and may be privately owned but still need to be certified to grant credentials.

	Finding Your Home — under Community Corner, you will find information on schools in different communities across Canada.

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National:

	Education Canada
	Citizenship and Immigration Canada — Education

Provincial/territorial:

For specific information about the school system in your area, follow these links to provincial/territorial Ministries of Education:

	Alberta
	British Columbia — click on"Education and Literacy"
	Manitoba
	New Brunswick
	Newfoundland and Labrador
	Northwest Territories
	Nova Scotia
	Nunavut
	Ontario
	Prince Edward Island
	Quebec
	Saskatchewan
	Yukon

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