Education System in Canada

Secondary Schools:Canada offers competitive and affordable schooling for your kids. If you or your dependants want to upgrade your education before applying to a post-secondary school, make sure the courses you take will allow you to register at the post-secondary school you choose. Canada's educational standards are set individually by each province. There are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces of Canada. Secondary schooling in Canada could go up to Grade 11, 12 or 13, depending on the province unlike in some countries, where Grade 12 is standard all over the country.  There are numerous private, independent and publicly funded secondary schools available in Canada. Students can choose to study intensive English or, an integrated academic and English program. For those with strong English language skills there are various academic programs, which can lead to a secondary school diploma

Private Secondary Schools in Canada:Private schools exist in every province and provide an attractive alternative for families seeking an overseas education for their children.  All private schools are registered with the Ministry of Education in their province or territory, and must meet the curriculum and other standards set by their respective ministries. Families can choose schools that are boys-only, girls-only or co-educational. Some private schools offer full boarding programs, others are day schools, and many offer both. Many private schools adhere to a particular religious faith, emphasize particular moral teachings and apply rigorous academic standards.

Public Sedondary Schools in Canada:Many Canadian public schools are now accepting international students into their programs. Publicly-funded schools are managed at the local level by elected school boards. Almost all public schools are co-educational and offer day programs only.  Some school districts also work local Home Stay Program providers to assist international students with their boarding and lodging needs.  Policies on accepting international students and the fees charged vary from district to district.

Post-secondary schools: Each Canadian university, university college, technical school or community college sets its own requirements. The registrars of these schools can provide information on tuition fees, health insurance, scholarships, lodging and living expenses, and language requirements.

Post secondary education is offered by three types of educational institutions:

1. Universities
2. Community Colleges/Technical Institutes (University Colleges)
3. Career Colleges 

Universities: Unlike many other countries, Canadian universities are largely Government funded, and, therefore, offer very high quality education at relatively lower cost to international students than some of the countries in the race.  They offer a wide range of courses and degrees from undergraduate to doctorate level.

Community colleges and technical institutes: These are popular education choices in Canada; they offer professional programs of 1 to 3 years (often including a working option) that are highly applicable in the job market. Some community colleges offer university transfer programs that allow students to take courses that are parallel to those offered for the first two years of a four year university program. Students must still apply to the university to gain admission to complete the last two years of the four year program.

These are officially known by a range of titles, including Community College, Technical Institute and University College.
Colleges maintain renowned Centres of Excellence in many fields such as information technology, mining, the environment, and hospitality and tourism. They design curriculum and hands-on training for future participants in a skilled and specialized Canadian work force. Other full and part-time programs include health, business, academic upgrading, applied arts, social services, adult literacy, and university preparation.

Career College: These are privately owned and operated colleges with the main objective of preparing students for the job market after a short period of instruction.  The emphasis at career colleges is on practical skills over a broad range of programmes.  They specialize in such areas as business, computers, and secretarial skills.  Students seeking short-term training programs in multimedia, film studies, computer/internet studies, graphic design and hospitality to name a few, may want to consider applying to a career college. Although privately owned, these institutes are provincially approved and regulated, ensuring that programmes standards and quality are maintained.

Academic Year: 

The academic year usually starts in September and ends in May, and is normally divided into two semesters.  Some institutes operate on a semester or trimester system and admit students in January and/or May as well as September.  Many institutes offer a limited number of courses and special programmes during the summer session.