So, is your family preparing to relocate to Canada? You may be aware that Canada is well-known worldwide for the excellence of its education and schooling systems.
Canada relies extensively on taxpayer-funded public programs such as healthcare, social services, and education.
Most Canadians and foreigners (that’s you!) think their taxes are well spent supporting the country’s robust educational system.
So, how good is Education in Canada?
Canada has an excellent educational system. A 2023 assessment shows Canada’s education system is ranked second best globally.
According to in-depth research undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Canadian government spends 11.1% of total expenditure on education, which is more than the OECD average of 10.6%.
Spending money on education in Canada appears to pay off. According to the 2021 Census, around 58% of Canada’s working-age population (ages 25 to 64) has graduated from a university or college—the most significant proportion in the G7.
This is not to claim that schooling in Canada is ideal. Some schools have substantial class sizes with low teacher-to-student ratios.
Some schools provide fewer extracurricular activities, creative studies, and athletics than others.
Some schools provide fewer courses and academic programs. Conducting preliminary research is critical because you will ultimately be the most influential advocate for your child’s successful education.
What should you know about Education in Canada before you arrive?
Whether where you reside will determine where your child attends school or where you want your child to go to school will influence where you live. It’s your decision.
The research you conduct before traveling to Canada can significantly impact your child’s education.
Education in Canada is primarily governed at the provincial/territorial level, which means that the system in Ontario will differ from that in British Columbia and so on.
Even within a province, education can differ significantly between different types of schools and school districts.
Understanding the Canadian education system
The Canadian education system is organized into three stages: preschool or prekindergarten, elementary and secondary education (known as K-12), and postsecondary education. Although the provinces vary slightly, each level has its particular features.
- Preschool or prekindergarten.
Preschool, often known as prekindergarten, is an elective learning opportunity for young children, typically aged three to five.
It is entirely up to you whether or not to preschool your child. certain provinces provide preschool and other early childhood education services for free. In contrast, others (and certain private organizations) may require parents to pay.
Preschool is less rigidly controlled than the compulsory elementary and secondary education periods.
This means that various preschool options are available, including curriculums, schedules, and pricing.
You must explore the possibilities available in your preferred destination and apply early, as some preschool programs have significant waitlists.
Daycares are an alternative to preschooling. These are childcare facilities where personnel supervise and care for children.
Daycares frequently enable youngsters of a wider age range to participate in the fun because they are primarily designed to care for the children of working parents.
While daycares are not expressly educational, many include educational activities as part of their offerings.
You decide whether or not to enroll your child in preschool or childcare. While it is widely acknowledged that the first years of a child’s existence are formative in terms of personality, social skills, and personal development, a preschool or daycare experience is not the only way to promote this development.
Many Canadian parents foster their children’s early childhood development in less formal settings, such as at home and neighborhood play groups.
Elementary and secondary education
In Canada, ensuring your child’s education is not only your moral responsibility as a parent but also a legal requirement. Elementary and secondary education are required for all children.
Elementary and secondary education in Canada follow a similar framework, with minor provincial differences.
Typically, this sort of education begins at age five or six and includes one year of kindergarten.
This is followed by twelve “grades” of school, each lasting a year. After completing Grades 1-12, a pupil earns a high school diploma and may be eligible for further study.
What types of schools are available in Canada?
In Canada, elementary and secondary education is divided into three categories.
Public schools: These are schools that are publicly funded and open to students from throughout Canada.
These schools are free for students to attend (they are funded by the same tax system that pays for healthcare and social services).
Approximately 91 percent of children in Canada attend public schools.
Private schools: These schools are owned by private entities and often charge parents a tuition fee for their child’s enrollment.
About 8% of Canadian children attend private schools. Tuition prices at private schools can vary greatly.
Homeschooling is an option in which a parent chooses to keep their child at home and educate them autonomously.
Homeschooling restrictions vary by province, but parents may frequently find recommended curriculum and supporting materials online.
Less than 1% of Canadian children are homeschooled.
Sidebar—Catholic and Religious Schools: Religious schools, predominantly Catholic, can be found in both private and public systems throughout Canada.
Catholicism is frequently interwoven into the curricula at these schools. In Ontario, Catholic school boards receive provincial support and serve an increasing proportion of non-Catholic students.
While many Catholic schools provide excellent education, incorporating religion into the curriculum may be something you want to consider or avoid, depending on your preferences.
You may be wondering if public or private schools provide the best education for your child.
Well, that depends on a variety of factors:
- Do you have enough revenue to pay for private tuition?
- What kind of learning environment is ideal for your child?
- What private and public schools are available in the area where you intend to live?
Studies show pupils who attend private schools perform better academically than their public school peers.
However, scholars wonder whether this is due to the quality of private education or to the fact that private school students are generally from wealthier families with better-educated parents.
Canada’s public school system is highly recognized around the world.
However, it would help if you explored the public school options in the area where you plan to live to verify that educational opportunities meet your child’s needs.
What should I know about school boards in Canada?
Schooling in Canada is structured into smaller geographic areas known as school boards or school districts.
Each school board oversees the schools in its jurisdiction and is in charge of facilities, administration, staffing, and student enrollment.
School boards are run by community representatives elected by the local population. All school boards hold frequent public meetings where community members can express their opinions (exemplary democracy!). Newcomers to Canada can make their voices heard on school boards.
Postsecondary education
After completing high school (or Sec. V in Quebec), pupils are eligible for postsecondary study. College, university, technical school, and other higher education programs are examples of postsecondary education that provide students with further learning in a specific topic or skill set.
Canada’s postsecondary institutions and universities are well-known around the world, with a couple continuously ranking among the top 50 (we’re looking at you, University of Toronto, McGill, and UBC).
According to Statistics Canada, 65.9 percent of Canadians aged 25 to 64 have finished some postsecondary credential, significantly higher than the OECD average.
First-generation immigrants in Canada have an even more significant proportion of postsecondary education, at 72 percent.
Regardless of your child’s life path, you can be confident that in Canada, they will have access to a variety of high-quality postsecondary educational opportunities if they choose to pursue them.
What should you know when you arrive in Canada?
Oh, you’ve landed in Canada. We want to congratulate you, but we know you’ll be too preoccupied with unpacking, applying for necessary documents, eating your first poutine, meeting community members, and adjusting to a new nation!
How to Register Your Child for School in Canada.
Hopefully, you have decided which school you want your child to attend. Now it’s time to enroll.
To learn more about the enrollment process for your child, contact the school board. It’s a good idea to contact the school to confirm enrollment even before you arrive in Canada to ensure your child has a place.
Suppose you’re enrolling your child in a Canadian school for the first time. In that case, the school board or school will evaluate the current level and determine what level is appropriate for the child.
This type of examination also allows schools to identify whether your child may require additional resources, such as language training.
What supplies do you need for your child’s education?
After enrolling, your child’s school should provide you with a list of goods you need to obtain.
Certain items may be offered for purchase or provided by the school, but school administrators should make this apparent.
In addition to classroom materials, you’ll want to consider the following vital elements for your child’s school experience:
- Clothing: Check to determine whether the school has a uniform policy or dress code governing your child’s attire.
- Athletic Clothing: Most elementary and high schools in Canada include physical education in their curricula. As a result, your youngster will most likely require appropriate gym attire, such as socks, sneakers, athletic bottoms and shirts, and undergarments.
- Winter Clothing: It’s never too early to think about winter! During the chilly months, ensure your youngster has at least a warm winter jacket, boots, hat, and gloves. We recommend purchasing these items just after you arrive in Canada, as those unfamiliar with Canadian winter may give you the wrong advice.
- Backpack: Your child will require a durable, dependable (and fashionable!) backpack to transport their textbooks, pencil cases, and binders.
- Electronics: This may be part of a larger conversation. But will your child own a cell phone? A tablet? Depending on your child’s age and your thoughts on electronic devices for youngsters, this could be a talk to have before school.
FAQS
How will your child get to school in Canada?
School boards in Canada control school bus routes that transport students to and from school. However, you can also take your child to school yourself if you like.
When your child reaches the appropriate age, they can walk, bike, drive, take public transportation, or ride one of Canada’s trained transport moose to school.
What will your child eat while in school in Canada?
Typically, students in Canada eat lunch during the school day, with breakfast and supper (dinner, or whatever you may name an evening meal!) coming before and after school.
Ask officials about your school’s lunch alternatives. Public schools usually have a cafeteria with lunch available for purchase, while some private schools provide lunches. Many children, however, choose to bring their own (which allows you to get one of those adorable tiny lunchboxes!).
Furthermore, as students age, many leave campus and eat lunch in the neighboring community.
Some schools also provide breakfast programs, which are usually free. These projects benefit families that would otherwise be unable to provide nutritious breakfast options. If you’re seeking this kind of help, contact the school.
How is your child graded and assessed during school?
There are three major approaches to understanding your child’s academic progress.
First, you can check in with your child on their progress and the grades they’ve received on homework, tests, and assignments throughout the year.
Second, your child will receive an official report card at predetermined intervals throughout the year. This will allow you to see your child’s official grades for each subject and some teacher feedback.
Finally, you can attend parent-teacher conferences throughout the school year. These conferences allow you to chat directly with your child’s teachers about their academic progress, classroom involvement, and school life.
Conclusion
There are numerous ways to get involved with your child’s education. Many schools have Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), which allow parents to volunteer their time for fundraising and event organizing activities.
If you’re looking for a smaller commitment, you can get work as a chaperone on field trips or school functions.
You can join the school district or board if you wish to be more involved in your child’s education.
School boards hold regular meetings where community members can participate and express their views.
You can even try running for a seat on the school board, open to the public, and the community elects new members!
