All you need to Know about Schooling System in Canada
Have you recently moved to Canada and are struggling to understand the school-system there?
Or you are planning to move there and want to get to know about the schools and education system beforehand for your kids?
Here is all you need to know about the schooling system in Canada.
Choosing the school and cost of education
Canada has both Public and Private schools, and some schools have religious affiliations as well. As a parent you can choose the public school for your children, in some provinces, however, in some areas, you must send your children to the public school that serves the area where you are residing. The proximity of the school saves the time spent in commuting and allows your child to take part in extra-curricular activities.
You need to enquire at the school district’s Board of Education about which school your child will be admitted to and what all documents are required.
Education in Public Schools is free of cost and you will be required to pay for the field trips, and school supplies only. More than 90 percent of children in Canada attend Public Schools. Private School, on the other hand, is a costly affair and is attended by a very small section of children.
Some private schools are for a specific requirement such as single-sex schools, schools for students with learning disabilities, or gifted children. Most private schools prepare children for entry to a Canadian college or university.
Levels in Education
(Canada outside Quebec)
Educational stages and their names differ from each region or even between individual schools. The ages are the age of student when they end the school year in June.
Students are assessed based on the continuous
year-round evaluation. Till Grade 8 students are exempted from exams. Grades
are based on the in-class evaluation, homework, assignments, quizzes, and class
participation.
In schools, students are encouraged to engage in
extra-curricular activities of their interest. Schools have different clubs for
different activities, also students can form a new one for a specific interest.
Sports, music, drama, arts, photography, dance, etc. there are so many options
for students. Emphasis is given to the holistic development of each student.
Classes and Subjects
Each class can have a maximum of 40 students. Till
grade 6 all the subjects are taught by one teacher. Subjects are pre-decided by
the school board until 8th grade and taught in a 40-45 minute lecture each.
Semester High School System is followed in high school
where 4 subjects are taught each semester. The lesson duration is around 70-80
minutes per subject. A credit system also exists in High School in which a
student is required to earn a particular number of credits to get the diploma.
Mandatory/core subjects- English, Maths, Health, Science, world history,
geography, etc.- must be studied for a prescribed number of credits.
In addition to the core subjects, students can choose-
optional subjects as per their liking, and the level at which they wish to study
both core and optional subjects. Many schools provide vocational training also
in four fields- agriculture, business, home economics, and trade and industry
education.
Major School Holidays
●
Spring
break (March)- 2 weeks
●
Winter
break- 2 weeks during Christmas and New Year
●
Summer
break- 2 months (July and august)
●
Government/Federal
Holidays
Professional Development Day/ Non-Instructional Day-
school is on but no studies for kids happen
