Studying high school in Canada

Are you coming to Canada with your children or thinking about sending them to Canada for high school studies? Both offer opportunities for your child to grow in a safe and supportive environment while achieving a world-class education.

Secondary school spans from grade 9 to grade 12 in most Canadian provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec, where it begins at grade 7 and ends at grade 11. After completing secondary school at age 17 or 18, students may continue on to college or university.

High-quality education, high-achieving students

Canada is among the countries with the strongest student academic performance in the world. That is why Canada is an excellent choice for secondary education. In fact, sending your child to Canada for high school is one of the best ways to prepare them for university or college.

Canada's youth are among the best-educated in the world. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) assesses and ranks education systems globally. In its most recent assessment, Canada ranked 6th in reading, 12th in mathematics, and 8th in science. Canada also has the second-highest rate of secondary school completion in the world.

In terms of educational excellence, Canada currently ranks 3rd among the 15 wealthiest countries in the world. The quality of the education system is recognized as one of Canada's greatest strengths [1]. Much of Canada's success is due to its exceptional teachers. Canadian teachers hold at least a bachelor's degree and one year of practical teacher training. Many go on to earn master's degrees. Teachers are required to regularly upgrade their skills through continuous education and professional development.

Standards and quality assurance

Canada's 10 provinces and 3 territories oversee their own education, and each ministry of education recognizes the importance of maintaining high standards. Through the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada, a national organization, they make major policy decisions and design initiatives using provincial and territorial partners as benchmarks [2]. This ensures quality and consistency across the education system.

Studying high school in Canada

Each province and territory decides when the school year begins and ends, though it typically starts in September and ends in June. School hours are generally from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. or later, Monday to Friday. Some students participate in summer school. This occurs when they need to complete a course they did not finish during the school year.

For students who are permanent residents or citizens of Canada, or are children of international students or workers in Canada, education is free for all students in the public school system. High school students must attend school until age 16 or 18, depending on the province or territory.

Public secondary schools

Many Canadian public secondary schools now admit international students into their programs. Publicly funded schools are managed at the local level by elected school boards, which provide standardized curricula or programs of study. Almost all public schools are co-educational. They only offer day-school programs.

In most parts of Canada, international students can choose to study in English, French, or both. Some provinces offer separate school systems that include religious classes. These are part of the public school system and are open to everyone.

Many parents send their children to Canada to experience studying abroad. You can do the same. Students live with Canadian families, learn about the culture, gain memories that will last a lifetime, and receive an excellent education at the same time.

Private secondary schools

Canada also has private secondary schools that charge tuition fees. Private schools must provide the same curriculum as public schools in the province or territory. This ensures that students complete the same coursework as they would within the public school system.

Class sizes in private schools are often smaller than in public schools, where students may benefit from specialized programs. Some private schools have religious programs as well as standard school subjects. Sometimes, private schools are established for boys only or girls only.

Private secondary schools include boarding schools (with accommodation), alternative schools, International Baccalaureate programs, and specialized sports programs or schools for students with disabilities.

High school tuition in Canada

Public secondary or high school is free in Canada for residents of the country. Schools charge tuition fees for international students, which can range from approximately 8,000 CAD to 14,000 CAD per year. Please check with the school you wish for your child to attend to confirm the costs for international students.

Sometimes, schools charge a small fee for your child to participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports teams or school field trips. In high school, many students bring their own lunch to school; however, some schools have cafeterias or hot lunch programs where your child can purchase food.

Educational requirements

To gain admission to a high school in Canada, your child may need to demonstrate:

• Completion of certain grades corresponding to Canadian grade levels
• English or French language proficiency
• Academic results or transcripts from their home country

Use this national directory of schools (public and private) to identify a Canadian school and then determine the requirements that your specific school looks for in international students.

How to apply