Learning |
The School System in Canada
Each Canadian province runs and manages its own school system. In Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Education governs publicly funded (free) education at the elementary and secondary school levels.
Elementary and secondary school services are compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 to 18 years and are delivered in both English and French languages. Provisions for a Catholic education are also funded by the Ontario government. Parents equally have the option to home school their children. Check the home schooling regulations if you plan to teach your children at home in Ontario.
The first stage of compulsory education is known as elementary education. The major goals of elementary schools are achieving basic literacy and numeracy skills among students, as well as establishing knowledge in the sciences, languages, geography, history, arts and physical education. In Northwestern Ontario, elementary education generally refers to grades one to eight, but may also be called senior elementary for grades seven and eight.
Students progress to secondary school (high school) after completion of their elementary education. In Ontario, secondary education comprises grades nine to twelve. In addition to academic studies, secondary schools offer many extracurricular activities such as hockey, basketball, drama, music, soccer and athletics. It is also compulsory to complete 40 hours of volunteer experience in the community to graduate.
If a student successfully completes their secondary education to Ontario standards, they may pursue a postsecondary education at an institution of their choosing. Students entering postsecondary education are required to pay tuition fees to attend college or university although some assistance is provided through scholarships, grants and bursary programs.
The stages of the complete Ontario school system are:
Elementary and secondary school services are compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 to 18 years and are delivered in both English and French languages. Provisions for a Catholic education are also funded by the Ontario government. Parents equally have the option to home school their children. Check the home schooling regulations if you plan to teach your children at home in Ontario.
The first stage of compulsory education is known as elementary education. The major goals of elementary schools are achieving basic literacy and numeracy skills among students, as well as establishing knowledge in the sciences, languages, geography, history, arts and physical education. In Northwestern Ontario, elementary education generally refers to grades one to eight, but may also be called senior elementary for grades seven and eight.
Students progress to secondary school (high school) after completion of their elementary education. In Ontario, secondary education comprises grades nine to twelve. In addition to academic studies, secondary schools offer many extracurricular activities such as hockey, basketball, drama, music, soccer and athletics. It is also compulsory to complete 40 hours of volunteer experience in the community to graduate.
If a student successfully completes their secondary education to Ontario standards, they may pursue a postsecondary education at an institution of their choosing. Students entering postsecondary education are required to pay tuition fees to attend college or university although some assistance is provided through scholarships, grants and bursary programs.
The stages of the complete Ontario school system are:
Pre-School (0-6 years):
- Early Years Centres
- Private daycare or kindergarten
Elementary (6-13 years):
- Public funded elementary schools (including English, French and Catholic)
- Private elementary schools
Secondary (13-18 years):
- Public funded secondary schools (including English, French and Catholic)
- Private secondary schools
Postsecondary (18 years+):
- Universities,
- Colleges of applied arts and technology, and
- Private career colleges.
Quick facts:
- The Canadian school year runs from September to June, with two school semesters.
- The longest holiday is over the summer period (June-September).
- Most educational institutions close for at least six weeks during the summer holidays.
- The school day generally runs from 8.30am to 3.15pm.
- Most schools do not require students to wear a uniform.
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