The education system in Canada

Preschools in Canada

Early childhood education in Canada refers to any learning that begins before a child enters first grade, which is typically at age 4-5 depending on the province or territory.

Young children can generally attend educational institutions like nursery schools, daycares or childcare programs. This type of education is not mandatory, and private preschools require additional costs for parents.

There is also a category of preschools called kindergartens. These institutions prepare children for school over the course of one year. Attending kindergarten is mandatory in many provinces as part of Canada's education system. In most provinces and territories, children can enroll in kindergarten when they turn 4 or 5 years old.

Children may attend preparatory kindergarten at local elementary schools as a step towards starting elementary or primary school. The educational program in Canadian preschools provides a comfortable environment where young learners study the alphabet, counting and reading, explore music and art, and learn to socialize and play with other children. These programs aim to prepare children for the next stage of learning — elementary school.

Kindergarten programs are available in public, private or federal schools, depending on your choice for your child. In most provinces and territories of Canada, the first year of preschool education is provided free of charge in public schools, and some provinces also offer additional years of free education. For example, in Quebec, free preschool education is available for children from low-income families or for children with special needs.

How to enroll in preschool

In Canada, public school education for immigrant children, including permanent residents, work permit and study permit holders, is free.

Permanent residents of Canada do not need to provide additional documents for their child's free education in a public school. Education in Canadian public schools is free for all children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents from kindergarten through high school. This is funded by taxes paid by all residents of the country.

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However, temporary residents, such as work permit and study permit holders, may need to provide certain documents to confirm their child's eligibility for free public school education. Requirements may vary depending on the province or territory.

To enroll a child in a Canadian preschool, you need to provide the following documents:

• Child's birth certificate
• Immigration documents or proof of Canadian citizenship (yours and the child's)
• Child's immunization record
• Proof of address (purchase or rental agreement, current year property tax bill, or current month rent receipt)

Preschool costs

The Canadian government is actively working to reduce childcare costs through the national Early Learning and Child Care program. As of February 2025, eight provinces and territories already provide childcare services for an average of $10 CAD per day or less, while all other jurisdictions have reduced parent fees by at least 50% compared to 2019. Families of approximately 900,000 children are already benefiting from affordable childcare.

Quebec cities have the lowest monthly childcare rates in the country, at $192 CAD for infants and toddlers. In Ontario, as of January 2025, there is a cap of $22 CAD per day, averaging $19 CAD per day across the province. By March 2026, Ontario plans to reduce rates to an average cost of $10 CAD per day.

Richmond, British Columbia, and Toronto still have higher childcare rates for children under 18 months in facilities that have not yet joined the $10 per day program. However, the number of spaces under the $10 a Day ChildCareBC program is constantly expanding — as of 2025, over 13,200 such spaces are available across all regions of the province.

For older preschool children, rates are also significantly reduced under the national program. Canada's goal is to achieve childcare costs of $10 CAD per day in all provinces and territories by 2026.

Activities and schedule

Children in Canadian preschools are prepared for elementary school. They gain basic skills related to literacy, numeracy, socialization, and creativity:

• Basic literacy and numeracy: children learn to write, study math basics, and learn to think critically
• Civic engagement and identity formation: each child develops as a citizen through fostering a sense of personal connection with the class and school
• Environmental and social awareness: children learn to perceive themselves as part of society and nature
• Personal and social responsibility: children learn to think independently, evaluate the consequences of their actions, understand their feelings and those of others, and respect differences in others
• Physical skills development: children play and develop motor skills
• Creative expression and creative thinking

Main activities include reading, math lessons, writing, as well as educational and developmental games. Children also spend time outdoors and have rest periods.

Full-day preschool may open at 7:30 AM and close at 6:00 PM. Preschools operate Monday through Friday, from September to June. There are also summer camps available for children to attend in July and August.

Elementary and Secondary School in Canada

The next stages of education after preschool are elementary and secondary schools.

Canada has a mandatory education law for children, and parents must ensure that their children are enrolled in school and attend regularly. Depending on where you live, there are various educational options to choose from. Each province and territory has its own education system with some unique features reflecting the priorities of the respective regional government. There is no national or federal education system in Canada; each region independently manages its educational process.

Parents can choose the educational system for their child based on their preferences:

Here's the English translation:

• Public schools are free and funded by the government;
• Private schools are fee-paying institutions that don't receive government funding. Some offer religious education and can be day schools or boarding schools, co-ed or single-sex;
• Homeschooling is legal across Canada. However, requirements vary significantly. To start homeschooling your child, you need to familiarize yourself with your province or territory's requirements. Laws, rules, and policies should be checked regularly as they may change.

• English or French schools: Education is available in English or French throughout the country, even in areas where one language is more prevalent. In Quebec, immigrant children usually must attend French public schools, but there are private English-language schools.

Stages of School Education

To complete secondary education in Canada, children need 12 years (11 in Quebec). School education includes two main levels: primary/elementary school and secondary/high school. In some provinces, these two main categories may be divided into subcategories:

• Elementary (primary) school usually includes grades 1-6 (or 1-3 if there's a middle school). In most provinces and territories, it also includes kindergarten. In Ontario, this stage includes 2 years of kindergarten — Junior Kindergarten (JK) and Senior Kindergarten (SK).
• Junior high school exists in most provinces. It usually includes grades 6-7 to 8-9 (for children aged 12-15), in Ontario — typically only grades 7 and 8.
• Secondary school or high school usually includes grades 9-10 to 11-12. This stage ends in grade 12 in all provinces except Quebec, where after grade 11, students move to the CEGEP (Collège d'enseignement général et professionnel) program for vocational education and university preparation.

In most provinces and territories, children must start school in the year they turn 5 or 6 and attend until they're 16 or 18. The age range may vary depending on the province or territory:

• Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Yukon: 6 to 16 years old
• New Brunswick, Northwest Territories: 5 to 18 years old
• Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island: 5 to 16 years old
• Manitoba, Ontario: 6 to 18 years old
• Saskatchewan: 7 to 16 years old

How to Enroll Your Child in School

Urban areas in Canada are divided into school districts. Children attend free public schools based on their place of residence. You can find out which school district you belong to by your postal code.

To enroll your child in elementary or secondary school, contact your local school board — it's recommended to do this before the school year starts. However, if you arrive in Canada mid-school year, don't wait for the new year; contact your local school board immediately to find a place for your child.

To apply for school admission, you'll need:

• Completed application forms;
• Child's birth certificate;
• Immigration documents or proof of Canadian citizenship for parents and child;
• Child's medical and immunization records;
• Proof of address (purchase or rental agreement, current year property tax bill, or current month's rent receipt);
• Grade reports from the country of origin or previous Canadian school. The child must have completed certain levels of education equivalent to Canadian standards (if immigrating from another country) and must be proficient in English or French;
• Non-refundable registration fee (for private schools);
• Test results (depending on the school, your child may need to take an entrance exam).

In some cases, international students may need a study permit for Canada. For example, children whose parents are in Canada as temporary residents with work or study permits, or children coming to Canada to study without adult supervision. It's important to note that from 2024, minor children applying to study in elementary or secondary school (kindergarten to grade 12) do not need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) when applying for a study permit.

By law, all elementary and secondary schools in Canada can accept international students.

Cost of School Education

Public schools in Canada are free. However, fees may be charged for school supplies and for the child's participation in additional activities. Public schools may charge parents for the following:

• School supplies (pencils, pens, markers, pencil cases, paper, notebooks, folders, scissors, glue, gym clothes);
• Additional courses and programs (drama club, photography club, web design courses, etc.);
• Extracurricular activities, field trips;
• School uniforms;
• School photos;
• Musical instrument rentals.

In addition, many public schools may charge fees for international non-resident students. Costs can range from $10,000 CAD to $18,000 CAD depending on the province and school district.

Private schools in Canada charge fees for both international and local students. Private school costs can range from $16,000 CAD to $35,000 CAD, while boarding schools are more expensive — from $65,000 CAD to $90,000 CAD.

Some of the most expensive private schools include Brentwood College School (British Columbia), Shawnigan Lake School (British Columbia), Appleby College (Ontario), Albert College (Ontario), and Trinity College School (Ontario).

Classes and Schedule

In Canada, the school year typically starts in late August or early September and ends in late June, followed by a two-month summer break. There are also Christmas (late December) and Easter (April) holidays. The academic year is divided into quarters or semesters.

Schools operate Monday through Friday. Elementary school hours are usually from 8:30 AM to 3:00 or 3:30 PM, with a one-hour lunch break and two 15-minute recesses. High schools typically run from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Extracurricular activities and sports take place after school hours.

Canadian schools may offer programs in English and French (depending on the province or territory). Subjects include art, business education, vocational and technical education, information technology, English, French, health education, mathematics, physical education, science, social studies, and many others, depending on the school.

Around 9th grade, students receive career guidance and choose subjects that will be useful for their chosen profession. Larger schools may offer specialized streams such as academic (advanced science, math, and languages), vocational (agriculture, business, economics, medicine), or general education.

High school graduates receive a diploma that allows them to apply to Canadian universities.

Higher Education

To enroll in a Canadian college or university, a high school diploma is required. In Quebec, before entering university, students must complete a 2-year preparatory program at a college to obtain a DCS diploma or a 3-year technical training program (DCS Technical diploma).

Sometimes, taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) may be required (for example, when applying to McGill or the University of Toronto). If an applicant has completed a Pathway program at a language school, this test may not be necessary. There are auditions for acting and music programs. Design-related majors may require a creative portfolio. Generally, requirements can vary depending on the specific institution and program.

For more information about Canadian universities, read the article "Immigration to Canada through Education. Studying in Canada".

If you're interested in education in Canada for your child, you can also read about the opportunity for grades 9-12 students to enroll in Longbridge Academy and about the Pathway to University program from ILAC, a Canadian English language school.