The Public School System in Canada
Canada’s education system is the responsibility of the provinces and territories. The Provincial Ministry administers the publicly funded elementary and secondary schools, in accordance with the directions set by the provincial government. They issue the curricula, determine the requirements for diplomas and certificates and provide the money to run the school, maintain it and build new schools.
Students from outside Canada can attend school in Canada. You will need a valid student visa and a letter from the school you wish to attend stating that space is available.
Elementary and secondary schools evaluate the school records of all new students to determine grade-level placement and the number of secondary school graduation credits you have aquired. If you are newly immigrated into Canada, you need to bring your or your child's education documents translated into English or French directly to your new school.
Parents play a vital role in the development and education of their children. Schools become better when there is a strong connection with parents as part of the learning community.
School Councils bring parents and schools together and provide an important bridge between school staff, parents, Home and School Associations and other parent groups that are active within the school community. For new immigrants it is a good opportunity to become involved and make new friends.
Most of the information here will be based on the Province of Ontario. If you are interested in attending school in one of the other provinces, contact that Provincial Ministry of Education.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS
The following programs are taught in elementary school:
The Arts, Grades 1-8
French As A Second Language, French Immersion, Grades 1-8
Health and Physical Education, Grades 1-8
Language, Grades 1-8,
Mathematics, Grades 1-8,
Native Languages, Grades 1-8
Science and Technology, Grades 1-8
Social Studies, Grades 1-6;
History and Geography, Grades 7 and 8
The Arts, Grades 1-8
French As A Second Language, French Immersion, Grades 1-8
Health and Physical Education, Grades 1-8
Language, Grades 1-8,
Mathematics, Grades 1-8,
Native Languages, Grades 1-8
Science and Technology, Grades 1-8
Social Studies, Grades 1-6;
History and Geography, Grades 7 and 8
SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS
The high school program is based on a credit system. Students must earn a total of 30 credits to obtain their high school diploma. Eighteen of the credits are compulsory, from a list of subjects that every student must take. The other 12 credits are optional, from a list of courses offered by the school.
Students must also complete 40 hours of community involvement activities and must pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), which is taken in Grade 10.
Compulsory Credits (total of 18)
4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
1 credit in French as a second language
3 credits in mathematics
2 credits in science
1 credit in Canadian history
1 credit in Canadian geography
1 credit in the arts
1 credit in health and physical education
1/2 credit in civics and 1/2 credit in career studies.
1 additional credit in English, or a third language, or a social science and the humanities, or Canadian and world studies
1 additional credit in health and physical education, or the arts, or business studies
1 additional credit in science (Grade 11 or 12) or technological education (Grades 9–12)
Optional Credits (total of 12)
Students must also complete 40 hours of community involvement activities and must pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), which is taken in Grade 10.
Compulsory Credits (total of 18)
4 credits in English (1 credit per grade)
1 credit in French as a second language
3 credits in mathematics
2 credits in science
1 credit in Canadian history
1 credit in Canadian geography
1 credit in the arts
1 credit in health and physical education
1/2 credit in civics and 1/2 credit in career studies.
1 additional credit in English, or a third language, or a social science and the humanities, or Canadian and world studies
1 additional credit in health and physical education, or the arts, or business studies
1 additional credit in science (Grade 11 or 12) or technological education (Grades 9–12)
Optional Credits (total of 12)
In addition to the 18 compulsory credits, students have to earn 12 optional credits in courses of their choice, selected from the full list of courses available in the school. Optional credits allow students to build an educational program that suits their individual interests and meets university, college, apprenticeship, or work requirements.
CO-OP PROGRAMS
High schools offer the opportunity to enroll in Cooperative education programs. This program lets the student get work experience in a workplace setting.
The programs includes:
Pre-course interview to determine if the placement is appropriate to the student’s goals and interests
Pre-placement instruction, including workplace safety instruction
A Personalized placement learning plan (PPLP)
Assessment and evaluation
Regular in-school integration sessions
Benefits to the student are:
They can test-drive a career
Build job skills
Get hands-on work experience
The programs includes:
Pre-course interview to determine if the placement is appropriate to the student’s goals and interests
Pre-placement instruction, including workplace safety instruction
A Personalized placement learning plan (PPLP)
Assessment and evaluation
Regular in-school integration sessions
Benefits to the student are:
They can test-drive a career
Build job skills
Get hands-on work experience
