Education and schooling : Office of Protocol of Canada

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Public and private schools at the primary, intermediate, and secondary levels

Canada is known for its high-quality schools, which remain among the most respected in the world. At the primary, intermediary, and secondary school levels, there are public and private school systems, and accredited foreign representatives may choose which one they prefer for their children.

Public schools are often (but not always) tuition free and are zone bound, meaning they accept only children who reside within the school’s designated catchment area. While public schools are non-denominational, there are also Catholic public schools, which are open to students of any religion. In addition, there are many French-language public schools in Canada – in the capital, Ottawa, throughout the province of Quebec, and elsewhere across the country. Special needs teachers also exist within the public school system, should children require specific, individualized attention.

Private schools are tuition based, and fees can vary considerably. These schools tend to be more selective when it comes to admission, and prospective students may have to undergo an interview and/or pass an entrance exam for entry – unlike in the public school system. Boys and girls usually go to school together, but there are private all-girls or all-boys schools as well. There are also private religion-affiliated schools; and those offering alternative education, such as Montessori or Waldorf schools.

In Canada, children are legally required to attend school, from age 5 to 16 or 18, depending on the province. Public schools are administered by provincial governments, and private schools operate as businesses in accordance with the legal requirements established by each province. Students attend 13 grades beginning with kindergarten, followed by grades 1 to 12 – often referred to as K to 12 – and these are normally separated into 3 phases: primary or elementary school, intermediate or middle school, and secondary or high school. The school year usually runs from September until the end of June, with some school breaks over the course of the year. Classes at Canadian schools are from Monday to Friday, with school hours slightly varying; many schools offer extracurricular sports and other activities, as well as before and after school childcare.

School enrollment

Enrolling in a Canadian school, whether public or private, varies from school to school. Foreign missions and accredited representatives should contact the educational institution directly for registration procedures and a list of the required documentation for enrolling a child. The Office of Protocol does not provide assistance on these matters.  

Early childhood, primary school and intermediate

While education differs somewhat from province to province, primary or elementary school usually spans from kindergarten to around grade 6. Kindergarten is designed mostly to help socialize young children into a classroom setting, with simple learning activities. There are also pre-school classes for even younger children, though these are not mandatory and usually come with a fee.

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The early numbered grades gradually educate students on basic concepts in math, science, history, geography, English and/or French language, social studies, and physical education, with a strong focus on creative, hands-on, and group learning. In most primary/elementary schools, all subjects are taught by one, all-purpose (core) teacher, with students usually progressing to a different teacher with each successive grade. There might be a different teacher for certain subjects, such as mathematics, though this varies greatly from school to school.

Relatively new, intermediate or middle school exists in some districts and was created to support the transition from the more relaxed primary school setting to the more rigorous secondary school environment. Children attend intermediate/middle schools in their pre- or early teen years.

Canadian intermediate/middle schools introduce the practice of different subjects being taught by different teachers, with students moving from classroom to classroom for their lessons. The subject matter is a continuation of what was taught in primary/elementary school, but with significantly more elements and more strict grading standards. The focus begins to shift towards written assignments and test-driven learning.

Secondary school

Secondary or high school is more challenging, both academically and socially. While attending secondary school, children pass from childhood to adolescence to early adulthood.

At this level, classes are much more specific and methodological. Studying science can mean taking courses in biology, chemistry, or physics, and courses in math include lessons in algebra, statistics, and calculus. Written assignments and testing become considerably longer and more detailed, and teachers’ expectations more demanding. With forethought and due consideration, Canadian secondary/high schools have created curriculums to ensure that students are well prepared for post-secondary education.

To successfully complete secondary school, students are required to pass written provincial exams in several subjects. These aim to produce an authoritative assessment as to whether a student has learned and mastered the curriculum. Failing to obtain high marks on provincial exams can make it difficult to gain admission into college and university.

Post-secondary institutions: colleges and universities

Colleges and institutes

Canada’s extensive network of colleges and institutes serves students across the country, in more than 670 locations and by providing some 10,000 different education and training programs to recent high school and university graduates, newcomers to the country, and adult learners.

These institutions have evolved into very sophisticated providers of education and research service and are now leading critical advances in multiple sectors and providing smart programs designed to respond to the needs of students and the workforce. Canadian colleges and institutes offer a broad range of credentials to meet these needs, from shorter term diplomas and certificates to bachelor’s degrees, post graduate certificates, and master’s degrees. The breadth of the credentials they presently offer, and the quick evolution of their programs based on economic needs – not only in Canada but in many other countries as well – ensures that these institutions are among the top choices for acquiring advanced skills and learning.

A key component of equipping students with market-ready qualifications is offering work assignments. Thanks to strong connections with businesses and other employers in the regions where colleges and institutes are located, students can gain diverse work experience – from internships and co-operative programs to apprenticeships, applied research projects, and other learning opportunities – and these are integral parts of almost all educational programs on offer.

Universities

Canadian universities are known for their high-quality programs and excellence in academic standards. They are consistently ranked among the top universities internationally. Universities across the country offer more than 15,000 undergraduate and graduate degree programs – as well as professional degree programs, diplomas, and certificates – in a wide range of disciplines. They provide a research-enriched learning environment and help develop the invaluable critical thinking and analytical competencies that global citizens require. Many universities offer a broad array of programs which allow students to gain hands-on experience, including co-operative programs and internships, that alternate in-class education and on-the-job learning.

As Canada ranks among the most multicultural nations internationally, students from all parts of the world can feel at home in the country’s diverse and welcoming communities and campuses. Plus, foreign students and newcomers can benefit from numerous services offered at educational institutions to help them transition to living and studying in Canada: curriculum advisors, English- or French-language support, orientation sessions and activities, academic, social, and sports clubs, and other extra-curricular activities. Also noteworthy, tuition fees are generally lower in Canada than in many other countries, for instance when compared with the United States and United Kingdom.

Applying for admission to colleges, institutes, and universities, and related tuition fees

Canadian colleges and universities have different admissions and enrollment requirements, so it is important to become familiar with the process, pre-requisites, and supporting documentation needed for the institutions(s) that prospective students are considering attending. This information can be found on the educational institutions’ websites.

Tuition fees are set by educational institutions and/or the provincial government. While some educational institutions and learning establishments may choose to provide a rebate or preferential tuition rate to children of foreign representatives while they are accredited, Global Affairs Canada has no control over these rates. Global Affairs Canada also has no ability to instruct or ensure that any rebates or preferential rates remain available to children of foreign representatives after they are no longer accredited to Canada. Should you have further questions regarding tuition, these questions are best addressed directly with the educational institution.

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Working while studying

Accredited spouses/partners and children of foreign representatives cannot undertake employment on university or college campus, nor can they engage in off-campus gainful occupation, unless authorized in writing by the Office of Protocol. This includes co-ops and internships programs.

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Studying and working in Canada following the end of accreditation

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