What to expect when attending High School in Canada
In Canada, each province and territory runs its own school system. Students move through three stages:
- elementary school (also called primary or public school),
- then high school,
- and finally college or university.
Canadian high school diplomas are recognized by colleges and universities worldwide.
School calendar and schedule
The school year begins in September and finishes at the end of June.
Schools in different provinces and regions have slightly different time schedules. Usual timetable:
- Monday - Friday: School begins between 8:30 and 9:00 am.
- Classes: typically are 70 to 80 minutes in length & students usually take four or five classes daily.
- Lunch: usually one class period or one hour in length, between 10:30 and 2:00 pm. For lunch, there is always a cafeteria which will offer a multiple-choice of menus.
- School ends between 2:30 and 3:30.
School subjects
Students join regular classes alongside Canadian classmates, so they practice English at school, at home with their host family, and with friends every day.
Courses vary by school and province, but students generally study core subjects such as:
- English,
- mathematics,
- sciences,
- social studies,
- physical education,
- and a choice of electives such as arts, languages, or technology.
School support system
Students in Canadian high schools can count on a wide range of support:
- Counsellors and academic or career advisers help with course choices and future plans,
- while tutoring sessions and extra help for second-language learners make it easier to keep up in class.
Many schools also offer:
- learning support for students with special needs,
- community involvement opportunities,
- and a variety of clubs, sports and other activities outside the classroom.
Grade reports and graduation
Final school report, grade, and course placement are subject to acceptance, availability, and student profile. Most of our programs are credited: exchange students receive a school report. One program is non-credited (Cornerstone School District).
International students can earn a Canadian high school diploma if they complete all the required courses. High school usually covers grades 10 to 12, while grade 9 still counts as junior high. In every grade, students take a fixed number of compulsory courses plus a number of electives of their choice.
If you wish to graduate in Canada, plan on at least two years, in grades 11 and 12, to meet all graduation requirements. Students must submit their original report cards from their home country to the Ministry of Education in their destination province for an assessment of whether their Grade 10 and 11 courses qualify for Canadian credits.
Schools would usually not accept students who are already 17 or 18 and intend to attend only their final year of high school in Canada with the expectation of receiving a Canadian diploma.
Non-mandatory school fees
Non-mandatory school costs such as books, lockers, labs, gym/PE, yearbook, uniforms where applicable, or special activities may be additional.
