English primary school in Canada for international students

Here's what you should know about obtaining  primary education  in Canada:

• Canada offers an exceptional education system that spans 12 years. Beginning around ages 5-6 and typically concluding between 16-18, the exact age varies depending on the specific province or territory. Here's what you should know about primary schools in Canada:

• Variety of Choices: Whether you're interested in Public Schools, Private Schools, or even the few renowned private boarding schools that have earned recognition far beyond Canada, there are options to suit every need.

• Home Schooling: While it's less common (less than 1% of the student population opts for it), homeschooling is available, driven mostly by parental choice. Materials for this method are easily accessible online.

• Public Schools: Encompassing 92% of the student population, these schools are free for both citizens and residents of Canada.

• Private Schools: Hosting about 7% of students, private schools in Canada come with obligatory fees. However, they offer benefits like expansive campuses, top-notch equipment, comfortable accommodations, smaller class sizes, and highly skilled educators. Remarkably, they often outperform counterparts in countries like Switzerland and the UK in terms of quality, while remaining more affordable. Some private schools also offer boarding facilities.

• Special Focus: Many primary schools in Canada, particularly private ones, emphasize holistic child development. This includes not just academic learning but also activities in sports, arts, and music, often using the latest technologies.

Anna Parkhomenko

Ridley College Admission Manager

What does make Canadian schools special? Why do parents from all over the world choose Canada primary and secondary schools for their children?

First of all, it is a high level of education, which is recognized throughout the world. Canada is the most educated country on the planet, so the culture of education is at the highest level here. All schools in Canada - public, private, independent - follow a provincial curriculum, and all educators are required to hold a teaching degree and certification. All these factors convince families that no matter which school they choose, their children will receive a first-class education.

• Diverse Duration: Education starts in kindergarten and continues through twelfth grade, usually commencing in late August and wrapping up by late June.

• Language Flexibility: Classes are conducted in English or French, contingent on the region.

• Balanced Approach: Focus is made on academic and extracurricular activities, guaranteeing a comprehensive development.

• Safety: The emotional and physical well-being of students is priority.

Specifics of Primary School System in Canada

• Kindergarten: Initiates at ages 4 or 5 and extends till age 6. In regions like Ontario, it's split into Junior and Senior Kindergarten. The teaching method is gentle, incorporating playful activities.

• Elementary or Primary School: Depending on the province, elementary schools cover grades one through six or eight. They offer unique features like group seating instead of individual desks, and an emphasis on group tasks. The grading system is distinctive, focusing on progress rather than just marks.

• High or Secondary School: Covering grades 7-12 or sometimes just 9-12, this stage prepares students for tertiary education, emphasizing subjects that align with future educational goals.

Living Arrangements: Foreign students at public schools usually stay with vetted host families. Private schools offer both on-campus and host family accommodations.

Entertainment and Activities: Primary schools in Canada ensure a vibrant environment. From themed events like Pajama Day to visits from charity organizations, students are kept engaged beyond just academic pursuits. Interaction with peers from different grades fosters a sense of community and responsibility.

Admission Requirements: Typically, international students aged 13 and above can enroll in Canadian schools, with some exceptions for younger students. Entry requirements include previous school records, proficiency in English or French, a birth certificate, and a passport. Having awards and certificates can provide an edge during admissions.

If you're interested in obtaining a primary education, you're waiting for a comprehensive, well-rounded study. Canada offers a wide range of options for foreign students, whether they wish to get information about primary schools Canada fees, or to select the best Canadian primary schools.

Deciding on entering top primary schools, foreign students are guaranteed to immerse into academic and language environment. The application process is not difficult, however, requiring careful attention to details and meeting deadlines. Firstly, the most important stage concerns identifying the province or territory where the student wants to study. Each Canadian province takes responsibility for its educational system, as a result there can be variations in the specific requirements.

Usually the application process begins with careful selection of schools in the interested region. Some primary schools may have programs specially designed for international students, while others may have limited experience or capacity to accommodate them. Experts in the field of education abroad recommend contacting the schools or the school boards for detailed information concerning the admission requirements, deadlines, and any associated fees. The package of necessary documents usually includes the child's birth certificate, confirmation of residence or guardianship in Canada, immunization records, and academic transcripts or performance reports from previous schools. Depending on the school and its location. In addition to it, the foreign students may need to provide English or French language proficiency tests if these languages aren't their first languages.

When the schools are selected and the package of documents is prepared, a student with parents can continue the application process, which stipulates filling out an enrollment form, submitting the required documents, and in some cases, attending an interview or orientation session. Foreign students will face additional paperwork, which concerns study permits. Prior to attending primary school in Canada, the educational institution usually requires a child to submit a study permit issued by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This permit stipulates submitting of a letter of acceptance from the school, confirmation of sufficient funds to support the student's stay, and other standard immigration documents.

When deciding on applying to primary schools in Canada foreign students should be ready to pass a multi-step process. However, the applicant’s efforts will be rewarded by  the guarantee of high quality education in a diverse and inclusive environment. If foreign students have an understanding of regional requirements, prepare the package of documents, and fulfill all immigration procedures, they can successfully  begin education in Canada.

Foreign students are attracted by the opportunity to pursue primary education in Canada due to high quality education recognized worldwide. However, it's important for families to consider the associated costs, significantly varying compared to charges for local students. Each province and territory in Canada manages its educational system, leading to variations in the tuition costs stipulated by location, school district, and specific institutions.

Tuition fees are the most significant expense for international students. Compared to local students who usually attend public schools without tuition costs, foreign students are often required to pay fees, ranging from CAD 8,000 to CAD 15,000 or more per academic year. The variation in price depends on the school chosen and province. For example, schools located in such major cities as Vancouver or Toronto may have higher tuition fees compared to those educational institutions located in smaller towns or rural areas. Additionally, pay attention that private institutions, which are very popular among families due to offering specialized programs or smaller class sizes, are usually more expensive than public schools.

In addition to tuition fees, there are extra costs, which may include application or registration fees. However, they are generally non-refundable, no matter if the student is accepted or not. Uniforms, textbooks, extracurricular activities, and school trips might also be charged additionally. Also, services specifically designed for foreign students, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) support, can be fees.

Finally, it is necessary for families to take into account living expenses in Canada. These expenses may include housing, food, transportation, health insurance, and other daily expenses. These costs can be significant and vary based on the family's lifestyle and the city of residence. In summary, while Canada offers an excellent primary education system, international families should undertake a comprehensive financial assessment to ensure they're prepared for the associated costs.

At the age of 5-6 years, children begin to obtain primary education. Children are required to attend school.

Public and private schools allow children to obtain primary education. Government is responsible for funding public schools, which conduct teaching under the curriculum approved by the Canadian province. As for private schools, they are independently run and may offer different educational concepts. No matter of school type, foreign students can choose any,

Yes, international students are provided with the opportunity to enter public elementary schools. However, it is important to consult with the particular school administration for issues concerning their educational process, enrolment requirements. Also ask for extra fees which may be arised.

Language requirements for foreign students in elementary school may range depending on the province, school. Sometimes, there is a  requirement for demonstrating a certain level of English knowledge. If language proficiency is not enough for pursuing studies, foreign students can attend English support programs.

Yes, elementary schools located in Quebec and parts of New Brunswick and Ontario, usually conduct studying in French. In these provinces French has a status of official language.To enter a school, a certain level of French knowledge may be required.

In some cases, financial aid programs or scholarships may be available to international students. Schools do not offer full funding, but may offer discounts and scholarships if the student has academic or athletic achievements.

Elementary education is better at a private school because students are given more attention during the adjustment phase, as academic progress is fully supervised.

The cost of studying ranges, which is stipulated by ranking position and the school you have chosen. The minimum cost of tuition at an elementary school without accommodation starts at 20,000 Canadian dollars per year. Tuition fee on a full boarding base  accounts for 45,000 CAD and above per year.

While studying In elementary school, teaching of math, English, geography, history, science and arts is stipulated. In addition,  physical education and skill-building activities are conducted.

Canada's elementary schools have support programs for children with special educational needs. These may include individualized learning plans, support from specialized teachers and special education resources to provide the best possible support for each student.