Moving to Canada involves navigating a new education system, which can present both opportunities and challenges for newcomers. At Remitly, we understand ensuring your child’s education is a top priority. Enrolling in Canadian schools is a key milestone, and we’re here to help make the process as smooth as possible.
That’s why we’ve outlined a clear guide to help you enrol your child in Canadian schools, from understanding the education system to gathering the right documents. Following these steps can help facilitate your child’s transition into Canada’s state schools (known as “public schools”).
Introduction to the Canadian education system
Canada’s public schools consistently rank among the top-performing systems globally. Over 95% of Canadians send their children to public school. It’s a top-performing OECD country in reading literacy, math, and sciences.
Education is managed at the provincial level, meaning that school systems differ, not only from province to province but also between school districts. Usually, the school your child can attend depends on where you live, as schools tend to serve a specific area in a neighbourhood.
Canadian school is typically divided into different levels:
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- Early childhood education (ECE): ECE is optional and includes:
- Nursery, for children up to three
- Childcare/daycare, for children up to five
- Preschool, for children ages three to five
- These terms are sometimes used interchangeably; however, preschool generally has a stronger focus on early learning and academics.
- Kindergarten: for children aged four to six, is mandatory and free in British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island, but optional in all other provinces. In areas where it’s optional, it’s usually free for one year. Some provinces also offer a second year free of charge. Students learn basics such as the alphabet, pre-reading, and interpersonal skills to prepare them for primary school.
- Primary school: comprises Grades 1 to 5 or 6, for children aged six or seven to 10 or 11. It’s mandatory in all provinces. Typically, students will have one teacher who teaches them all subjects. The curriculum covers subjects like math, history, music, art, and science.
- Secondary school: mandatory in most provinces until age 16, regardless of the grade a student is in when they reach that age. However, in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Manitoba, students must stay in school until they turn 18 or have received a high school diploma. There are two levels of secondary education in Canada: junior high and high school.
- Junior high or middle school: Consists of the first few years of secondary school, the exact grades it covers depends on the school district. It allows students to adjust to switching classes and teachers, and prepare students for high school.
- High school: Consists of the last years of secondary school, typically grades 10 through 12.
- Secondary school in Quebec is a little different. Students begin secondary school at age 12 and finish at age 16. They then go to a college, called CEGEP, which helps prepare them for university.
- Post-secondary: Not mandatory in any province, but students are allowed to apply to colleges and universities when they graduate high school. “Colleges” in Canada usually refer to small community colleges where you can obtain credits to transfer to a university, or a specific trade school. Academic degrees can be obtained by universities. Public universities and colleges in Canada are mostly funded by provincial governments, and students pay minimal tuition fees.
- Early childhood education (ECE): ECE is optional and includes:
Canada has two official languages, English and French. While English is the main language in schools in most of the country, most provinces and areas of Canada have public French schools. There are also public French or English immersion schools that teach non-native speakers in French or English to become fluent over time.
In Quebec, public school students are required to attend French-language schools until they complete high school. Exceptions are only offered in exceptional circumstances, such as if someone is only in Quebec for a short period. In general, if you want your child to study in English in Quebec, you’d need to find a private school.
As more than a third of young adults in Canada come from immigrant families, there are many immigrant children in Canadian schools. Immigrant students in Canada often achieve academic performance levels comparable to their Canadian-born peers within a few years of arrival. There is a common commitment to fairness and equal access.
In addition to public schools, there are private and independent schools in Canada that charge tuition fees. Some private schools offer academic, artistic, or athletic scholarships. There are also faith schools, which may be public or private depending on the province.
Is education free for immigrant children in Canada?
For all permanent residents and most temporary residents, Canada offers the same free public education that it offers its citizens.
Do I qualify for free education?
Permanent residents do not need to provide extra documentation to get their children access to free public education in Canada.
On the other hand, if you’re a temporary resident (such as a work or study permit holder), you most likely qualify for free education for your child, but you may have to provide additional documentation. The specific conditions and documents depend on your province and community school board.
For example, the Toronto District School Board grants children of study permit holders free public education if:
- The parent has a letter of acceptance from a learning institution that receives operating grants from the government of Ontario
- The parent is a full-time student
- The program the parent is in leads to a post-secondary degree, diploma, or certificate
- The program the parent is in is at least two semesters long and has a minimum of 600 instructional hours
- The student lives in Ontario with the parent who is studying
In this case, the permit-holder’s child may begin school a week before the permit-holder starts their program. If they want to start earlier, program fees will apply.
Education costs in Canada
The public education system covers all school costs for citizens, permanent residents, and most temporary residents from the ages of five or six to 18.
Here’s a cost breakdown for all stages of education in Canada:
- Early childhood education: Usually fee-based, though some provinces offer free programs or fee-waiver opportunities
- Kindergarten: Usually the year before a student enters primary school is offered for free, and any additional year incurs tuition fees, though this depends on the province
- Primary school: Free
- Secondary school: Free
- Post-secondary school: University tuition is usually between $6,000-$7,000 per year for residents
Non-residents may face international tuition fees of $9,000 to $17,000 per year at public schools
Beyond tuition, many school boards may charge small fees for:
- lunch supervision
- school supplies
- participation in sports teams
- field trips
- bus transportation for your child to and from school
These fees can vary greatly.
School enrolment: a step-by-step guide
The exact school enrolment process in Canada will vary depending on where you live and the level of education you’re looking for. However, these steps will most likely apply throughout the country:
Step one: contact your local school board
Contact your local school board for the most accurate enrolment information. We recommend you contact them as early as possible (you can even contact them before you arrive in Canada), as there may be limited spaces available for the best-performing schools or schools closest to you. If your region offers more than one school, you may be able to choose the school you prefer to enrol your child in, depending on space.
Step two: gather required documents
Parents need the following four documents to enrol any child in primary or secondary school across Canada:
- Birth certificate
- Proof of guardianship or custody
- Proof of residency
- Child’s immunization record (your child’s vaccines need to be up-to-date based on province standards before starting)
Different provinces and school districts may ask for some additional documentation, particularly if you’re a temporary resident.
Step three: complete needed assessments
New students typically complete an assessment to determine their academic level and appropriate grade placement. This assessment can also help determine if your child needs any additional support, like English or French classes, which are also free for you.
Step four: start school
Your child will be able to start in a public school whenever enrolment is completed, even if you arrive in Canada in the middle of the school year.
Language support in Canadian schools
Since English and French are the two official languages in Canada, all public schools will offer instruction in one of these two languages. If your child isn’t able to easily learn in either of these languages, most schools, especially those in multicultural neighbourhoods, offer language support to help your child.
As previously mentioned, just before or upon entering school, your child will be assessed to identify their language level and determine any language-learning needs they may have. Some programs and support services your child may have at school include:
- Integrated classroom programs: your child is placed in a regular classroom, but receives some English or French support
- Intensive or partial support: your child gets literacy or language support outside the regular classroom for part or most of the day
- Tutorial support: your child is taught one-on-one or in a small group
- Other support: your child gets extra help using technology, has access to special learning materials, or receives information about community programs.
Most provinces have guidelines ensuring that students receive language support until they reach the proficiency level required to learn effectively in the local language without assistance.
Embracing cultural diversity in education
Canada is a diverse country with a rich history of immigration and a strong commitment to multiculturalism. It’s also heavily influenced by Indigenous, British, and French traditions. Canada and its schools host multicultural festivals like Canada Day, Diwali, and Chinese New Year throughout the year.
Canada’s official multiculturalism policy, established in 1971, promotes cultural heritage while encouraging full participation in society. Citizens and residents are encouraged to celebrate their own cultural backgrounds and respect and appreciate others.
Canadian schools incorporate cultural diversity into their curriculum, teaching students about various cultures, traditions, and histories. Many schools also offer clubs and activities that allow students to learn about or explore their or others’ cultural backgrounds.
Getting involved in and promoting cross-cultural understanding is an important part of Canadian culture, and embracing it may help you and your child better adapt to Canadian culture and living.
Key considerations for a smooth transition
School schedules and holidays
Canadian public schools usually start in late August or early September, and the school year usually ends in June. Most schools have time off during the Christmas holidays and a week off in March, called March Break. There are also several holidays where students don’t attend school, including:
- Labour Day – beginning of September
- Thanksgiving Day – mid-October
- Family Day – beginning of February
- Easter – March or April
There are also usually professional activity days, which are not bank holidays but are non-school days for students.
Different school boards may have different start and end dates and school holidays. The calendar for the following school year is usually released in March or April of the previous school year.
The typical Canadian school day is Monday through Friday. Primary schools usually start between 8 and 9 am and last until 3 or 4 pm, with two 15-minute breaks and an hour for lunch. Secondary schools tend to go from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. Schools also offer extracurricular activities and sports after school hours.
Involvement in the school community
Involvement in the school community can ease the transition for both you and your child.
For your child, great ways to get involved include participating in extracurricular sports teams and clubs. Under the guidance of an adult, typically a teacher at the school, your child can spend time with other students outside of school hours and learn new things. Clubs and teams can include things like volleyball, student government, and photography, but specific clubs and teams will vary based on the school.
For you, many schools in Canada have Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs). These associations allow parents to get involved in their child’s school by hosting fundraisers, planning events, or volunteering to chaperone events like field trips or school dances.
You can also get involved by attending parent-teacher conferences, where you can get a chance to meet your child’s teachers, understand what your child is learning, and what you can do at home to help them succeed. You can also participate in school board or school district events and meetings. There, you can voice your opinion and influence the school board’s decisions on important matters, or even get a seat on the school board committee.
Resources and support for newcomers
The role of settlement workers in schools
The Canadian Federal Department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship has an initiative called the Settlement Workers In Schools (SWIS, TÉÉ in French-speaking schools) program. This program assigns a SWIS worker to your local school and provides settlement programming at the school to help integrate immigrant students and their families in their first 18–36 months after arrival in Canada.
All new immigrant students regardless of immigration status and their parents or guardians are eligible for SWIS program support, which is free. SWIS provide immigrant individuals, families, and groups with support such as:
- One-on-one consultations
- School tours
- School system orientation sessions
- Workshops on different topics
- Referrals to community and support services
- Volunteering and mentorship opportunities
- Peer support
- Youth training
- English conversation circles
- Field trips
Support is offered in different languages, such as Farsi, Arabic, Spanish, Turkish, and Pashto. Language availability depends on your area, and you may be able to request support in other languages. SWIS is not available in all schools, but check to see if it’s available near you, or if your school provides similar services.
Seeking additional assistance and guidance
Moving to a new country is often a difficult experience, but especially for young people. It’s okay and even encouraged to ask for help. Here are some places where you can find additional assistance and guidance:
- Settlement service providers
- School social workers or guidance counsellors
- Your family doctor or doctor at a walk-in clinic
- Local faith-based organizations
- Extracurricular activity coaches, peers, or youth leaders
- Kids Help Phone
Your province, region, or city may also offer additional resources for new immigrants or young people.
FAQ
How do I enroll my immigrant child in school in Canada?
You can enrol your immigrant child at school in Canada by contacting your local school board or school district. You will have to provide some documents to complete the enrolment process, and your child will be assessed before beginning school.
Can a foreign child go to public school in Canada?
Yes, foreign children can go to public schools in Canada as long as they complete the local enrolment process. Depending on their immigrant status, they may need to pay for a study permit.
Is education free for immigrant kids in Canada?
Public education is free for all immigrant kids who are children of permanent residents, and most immigrants who are children of temporary residents. It’s free in all provinces from the ages of 6–18. Some provinces also offer free education for children under 6.
How do I apply to schools in Canada?
You can apply to public primary and secondary schools in Canada by contacting your local school board. You can apply to private schools by contacting the school directly.