People who are new to Canada may find the country’s educational system somewhat different from what they experienced in their home country. Canada strives to be a leader in the field of education, and has both private and public schools that are dedicated to this cause.
Public Schools
In terms of public school, Canadian children between the ages of 5-18 must attend school, starting from kindergarten and finishing in grade 12 for a total of 13 years. This education is provided free of charge.
In some areas of Canada, these 13 years are divided into three phases, namely elementary, middle, and high school. In other areas, they are divided simply into elementary and high school. Elementary school usually goes up to grade six or seven.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten does not focus so much on education, but rather teaching small children social skills and simple tasks including crafts, drawing, and manners. Some parents choose to put their children into preschool before kindergarten, but this is completely optional.
Elementary
The curriculum covered in public elementary school includes the subjects of math, science, social studies, and language arts. These subjects are usually all taught by one teacher, in one classroom.
Middle
The middle school phase, which is only in place in some provinces, focuses on helping children from around 13-15 make the transition from elementary to high school, since these two phases are quite different from each other. While the material covered in middle school is not very different from that in elementary school, the grading is more difficult and there is a stronger emphasis on testing.
High
Canadian high school is considerably more demanding than the earlier grades, with more specialized subjects being part of the curriculum. For example, the subject of math is replaced by specific branches such as calculus, geometry, and algebra. High school in Canada is designed to prepare students for college and university.
University Entrance & Provincial Exams
In order to graduate from high school, students must write and pass a set of provincial exams given by the government. The marks that students get on these exams are important, as they help to decide whether students can get into university.
Private Schools
Canada is also home to many private schools. These schools charge tuition, and many people believe that the quality of education is higher in private institutions. They are generally more selective in terms of who they will admit, and quite a lot more expensive. Only about five percent of Canadian families choose to put their children into the private school system.
Whether families choose to put their children into a public or private school, Canada’s educational system offers many choices for children to get the best start possible to their future.
Source: The Canada Guide
