EDUCATION

Public schools are founded by the BC government and there is no fee for your child to attend one of the public schools as the government pays for most of the tuition (school fees). To register your child in a public school, you will need to contact your school board.

Private schools by definition are independent schools that are fee-supported educational institutions at the primary and secondary level that are not under government control. Each private school has their own range of areas of concentration and specialization, however they do follow the same educational curriculum for school operations. Some schools may offer programs for students with special needs, others may provide faith-based learning and there are also schools that are all-girls or all-boys.

Some advantages of choosing a private school are that the students may have more one-on-one time with teachers as well as an advantage of being offered a variety of specialized programs and other extracurricular options in comparison to public schools. However, the disadvantages of enrolling a student into a private school will mainly be the school tuition fees. Generally, the starting point for private schools can start at around 60,000 and this does not include the extracurricular fees that may incur.

Following that decision to choose a public or a private school, you will have to decide on the neighborhood or area that you wish to live in. Each neighborhood has a “school catchment,” what this means is that based on the area you reside in, your child will automatically be enrolled or prioritized to enroll in the public schools within the area.

Sometimes exceptions can be made if your child/student wants to attend another local school that provides a special program that is not provided at the school within your catchment. For example, certain schools provide a IB program (that we mentioned above) and if a student wishes to attend a school of this program, then they are able to transfer.

Good to know 💡 

Some school communities offer a program called Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS). This program is aimed to help the children of newcomers and their families adjust to their new school and community.

Education System Costs:

All public schools across Canada are “free” under circumstances. Those that are considered residents (PR, Citizenships) and their dependents would receive free schooling for elementary up to secondary/highschool. For families in which the parents/common-law partners hold work-visas, their dependents (ages up to 21 + 364 days) are also able to attend public schools for free.

However, any students who apply directly for a study visa, with the intention of studying or attending a school and do not have parents that are under a working visa/PR/Citizenship would be subject to an international student tuition fee which  varies between districts.

Anyone planning to attend a private school would also be subject to an international student fee on top of the regular school tuition. Furthermore, those with children that are planning to attend a post-secondary school (college, university, etc) will also be subject to an international student tuition fee that is higher than the regular school tuition.

Please note though that once your family has received their PR, you can consult with your school to see if there are options on financial flexibility per your immigration status.

For Post-Secondary or University/College, the tuition fees will range anywhere from 300,000 CAD depending on varying factors such as the type of education program, degree, the school, your status to study in Canada and whether you may need additional support such as accommodation etc. 

SCHOOL GRADE SYSTEMS

  1. Early Childhood Education (ECE) Licensed Childcare & Preschool: Includes daycare centers, home-based care, and early learning programs. Full-Day Kindergarten (FDK): Available for children aged 4-5, publicly funded in most schools.

  2. Elementary & Secondary Education (K-12) Publicly Funded Schools: Public Schools: Secular and run by local school boards. Catholic Schools: Publicly funded, faith-based schools. French-Language Schools: Both Catholic and secular, serving French-speaking communities. Private Schools: Parents pay tuition; some offer alternative curricula (e.g., Montessori, International Baccalaureate). Homeschooling: Legal in Ontario, with parents responsible for following the curriculum. Grade Structure: Elementary School (Kindergarten - Grade 8): Focuses on foundational subjects like math, language, science, and social studies. Secondary School (Grades 9-12): Students earn credits towards the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). Specialized Programs: Include French Immersion, IB (International Baccalaureate), Advanced Placement (AP), and Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM). Graduation Requirements:

To earn an OSSD, students must:

Complete 30 credits (18 compulsory, 12 elective). Pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Complete 40 hours of community service.

  1. Post-Secondary Education

Ontario has a diverse post-secondary system with:

Universities: Offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. (e.g., University of Toronto, Western, Queen’s) Colleges: Focus on applied learning, diplomas, and certificates. (e.g., Humber, Seneca, Fanshawe) Apprenticeships: Hands-on training in trades, often leading to certification as a journeyperson. Private Career Colleges: Provide specialized training in industries like healthcare, business, and technology.

Suggested Prompts

How do private schools’ specialized programs and extracurricular offerings influence a student’s long-term educational and career choices?

What are the potential impacts of different funding structures and tuition fees on educational equity and access across various communities?

In what ways might the availability of programs like IB or French Immersion shape a student’s cultural and academic development within the Ontario education system?

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Startup Finance: Introduction to Clearbooks

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Budget Sheets 101

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Understanding the Balance Sheet: A Financial Snapshot

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Taxes 101: What to Know

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