The Canadian Education System

The Canadian education system consists of three levels. The first level is known as the elementary level, the second is called the secondary level and the third is called the post-secondary education level. If you are in Canada or you have plans to go there, we suggest that you read up on the education system over there, especially if you want to go there for education. Let’s know more about the education system in Canada.

The Education System

In Canada, governments at provincial and territorial levels govern education. Therefore, there is a little difference between each education system. For example, the difference is that the grades where the levels start and end are different. Each province and territory offers free education for 12 years. However, for Quebec, the free education is offered for 11 years. Based on the province, education is a must for age 15 and 18.

Education levels

Now, let us read up on the education offered at different levels in Canada. This will give you a lot better idea of how the education system works over there.

· Elementary

Typically, kids aged 5 enter kindergarten. In elementary schools, kids study from grade one to grade 6. Afterwards, the students study for 2 years. In other areas, the school offers education till grade 8. As far as Quebec goes, the elementary school provides education from grade 1 to grade 6. Afterwards, the students go directly to high school.

· Secondary

Most often, secondary school is called high school. In these schools, students study from grade 9 to grade 12. Moreover, in areas with junior high and middle school, it includes both grade 7 and grade 8. On the other hand, in Quebec, students study from grade 7 to grade 11. Afterwards, the students study in CEGEP for 24 months and then go to university.

· Post-secondary

This level of education consists of career college, grade school, university and community college.

Programs for language

In Canada, language programs are provided at private language schools, universities, colleges, high schools and middle schools. Since English is the international language, more importance is given to teach this language across Canada.

Structure

Districts: In Canada, the division of provinces is done based school districts. Moreover, school districts include school boards that implement curriculum and policy established by the province. Usually, a school district provides services to a couple of towns or cities based on their size.

Religious affiliation

Schools can be Christian, Catholic or secular. However, in some provinces, you can find different school boards for both non-religious and religious schools. So, students from religious families can also go to the school based on their religious affiliation.

Private and public

The education system in Canada consists of public schools as well as private schools. The public schools receive funds from the government. On the other hand, private schools don’t get funded by the government and students have to pay fees to study in private school. Moreover, at the post secondary level, students pay a considerably smaller amount of tuition fee than in private universities.

So, this was a brief introduction to the education system in Canada.