Canadians place great importance on learning, and have developed a first class education system with high standards. Canada spends more on education (per capita) than any other country in the G-8, and is the second highest among them. Canadian public high school students consistently rank among the best in the world on international tests of reading, science and math.

Public Schools
Canada’s public education system consists of schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12. In Canada, each province has jurisdiction over the curriculum, programming and funding of their schools.

The students study in a semester system, where the school year is divided into two semesters. The first semester runs from September to January and the second semester runs from February to June. Schools are in session 10 months of the year (September to June), five days a week (Monday to Friday except during holidays) for approximately six hours a day. This applies for both public and private schools.
Private Schools
The Private Schools are funded by student tuition and alumni support. Students at Private Schools study in a linear system, where the school year is divided in three terms:

Sep – Dec
Jan – Mar
Apr -Jun

While their curriculum is overseen by the province’s Ministry of Education, each school operates independently and sets its own standards. Private Schools standards are higher than their counterparts Public Schools.

The education system is grouped in three levels:

Elementary (K – 7)
Secondary (8 – 12)
Post-Secondary (College or University)

Elementary
Kindergarten (ages 5-6)
Grace 1 (ages 6-7)
Grade 2 (ages 7-8)
Grade 3 (ages 8-9)
Grade 4 (ages 9-10)
Grade 5 (ages 10-11)
Grade 6 (ages 11-12)
Grade 7 (ages 12-13)

Secondary School
Grade 8 (ages 13-14)
Grade 9 (ages 14-15)
Grade 10 (ages 15-16)
Grade 11 (ages 16-17)
Grade 12 (ages 17-18)
Post-Secondary
University and College (ages 18+)

Most English Language Schools are very flexible in terms of program requirements and starting dates.

Students can start at any time of the year for any length of study. There are several options international students can choose from, intensive immersions, language programs, executive or business programs. Some of these language schools programs are a combination of classroom studies with sightseeing and cultural activities, or if you have a work-study visa you can learn the specific English terminology in your field to practice your skills in the workplace. Students enrolled in these programs for up to six months may study in Canada without a Study Permit.