Newcomers to Canada: What will education look like for my children?
Information on the Canadian education system.
In Canada, there is both a public and private education system.
The Canadian government subsidizes public education from kindergarten all the way through to the post-secondary level. On average, the government spends almost six percent of its GDP on education.
In Canada, there is an age of compulsory education that depends on the province, meaning that between certain ages, children are required to attend school. In some provinces, kindergarten is an option. However, in every province, children between the ages of seven and 16 are required to attend school. In Manitoba, New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories and Ontario, the age of compulsory education goes to 18.
Levels of education
In general, the education system, whether it be public or private, is divided into three levels:
- Primary
- Secondary
- Post-secondary
Primary education, also known as elementary school, is from kindergarten or Grade 1 (ages six to seven) and runs through to Grade 8 (ages 13 to 14). The school year is usually between the months of September and June. Read More…
