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When looking to move to Canada, you want to ensure your children will be taken care of in your new home. Fortunately, Canada offers some of the highest-quality education in the world. Due to the size of the government and incredibly well-funded and maintained government systems that have put Canada on the map, Canada’s public education system is currently ranked in the top 5 worldwide.
While the quality of education is incredibly high, one of Canada’s greatest educational assets is the inclusive and open-minded approach to the schooling system, particularly for international students. But ultimately, there are many reasons why the Canada schooling system is the perfect system for your children.
10 Benefits of Canada Schooling System for Foreign Students
Quality of Education in Canada
As aforementioned, the Canada schooling system is one of the highest-ranked in the world. As a result, Canada has the most educated population globally. The reason for this is the combination of the massive amount of funding the Canadian government funneled into the education system and the rigorous academic standards each school must adhere to, ensuring that students receive a high-quality education no matter where they are located. This means schools are well-maintained with sufficient resources. Teachers and staff are bountiful and well-paid, with extensive standardization measures to ensure your child gets world-class education, no matter where you live. On top of this, Canadian government funding has also taken extensive measures to ensure that a Canadian classroom is the best place to nurture a young mind to grow.
Learn more about Canada's education system.
Canadian Schools are Cheap
Due to the extensive government funding, most Canadian public schools are free to Canadian residents and far cheaper than schools of similar quality in other countries. Despite the high standard of education in Canada, quality education is a right of all Canadian residents, and, as a result, getting the right education won’t have to break the bank.
Canada enables you to give your child the opportunities you’ve always wanted to give them. However, you must be a permanent resident to qualify for free public education in Canada. Learn more about how to become a Canadian permanent resident.
Style of Teaching in Canada
Canada is known for its incredibly supportive and positive classroom environment, in no small part to the world-renowned teaching in Canada. Canadian teachers are well-paid, highly educated professionals specially trained to provide the most complete, positive learning experience possible. All teachers must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, and many have additional qualifications such as a master's degree or a teaching certificate. This ensures that students are learning from knowledgeable and experienced professionals.
Teaching in Canada stresses the importance of classroom interaction and communication between staff and students - it stresses the importance of not only building academic skills but also certain life skills like social skills, empathy and the importance of a good work ethic to give students the tools they need to get the start in life they need.
Special-Needs Care
If your child has a disability and requires special-needs education, Canada is the place for you. Due to the extremely high-quality public medical services and healthcare in Canada, the country has a fantastic system for helping those with disabilities to get the most out of their education.
The Canada school system makes a point to remediate, modify and extend education programs to cater to the needs of every student and the classic Canadian inclusivity - this will make your child feel validated, understood, and accepted in any environment.
Extracurricular Activities
Canadian schools offer a wealth of activities outside the classroom to help students expand their skills and experience outside of purely academic pursuits. Most Canadian schools offer fantastic sports programs, including hockey, soccer, baseball, and many other sports, depending on the school. Not only can this benefit the student’s physical health, but it can also improve their rapport with their classmates.
Canadian schools offer many extracurricular activities and clubs outside of sports, such as public speaking, music, art, and dramatics. These provide students with a well-rounded education and allow them to develop skills outside the traditional classroom setting. Different schools offer different activities, but you will certainly find an array of activities that interest your child catered for in your area. Learn more about extracurricular activities in Canada.
School-funded Transportation
Going to and from school in Canada is historically easy and safe. Most Canadian schools offer some form of school-funded transportation, like a school bus service which ensures students get to school on time, easily, and safely without putting too much stress on parents.
Sometimes, these services cost a little extra but are usually inexpensive and worth the cost if your child rides the bus to and from school every day.
Bilingual Teaching
As Canada has two official languages - English and French - most schools will allow students to learn both languages to be as functional as possible within Canada. Schools have different primary languages, but almost all cater to English and French speakers. This also gives them the tools to communicate in other languages effectively.
Additionally, this can often open up many opportunities for students upon completing their studies.
International Schools in Canada
There are also hundreds of International Schools in Canada. These schools are specifically designed to cater to students from many backgrounds to help them complete their education and comfortably assimilate into the society of their new country. This includes language support for those not fluent in English or French and cultural integration programs to help students adjust to life in Canada.
International schools in Canada have a fixed student-teacher ratio that gives every student significant attention. In turn, this helps with their studies and bridges the cultural gap. Students and parents can also choose which curriculum they want to study, particularly if they don’t plan on staying in the country until they complete their studies.
Open-minded and Culturally-Inclusive Schooling
Canada is well-known for its open-minded and inclusive nature, particularly regarding international cultures. The Canada schooling system is no different. Canadian schools are known to be hugely open to the different cultures within their student body, making significant allowances for those cultures.
Canada has plenty of religious and secular schools that ensure your culture remains protected and respected both in and outside school.
Canada is also well known for its extreme tolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community, and schools often have extensive counseling and support programs for children discovering their identity. Students can learn about different cultures, traditions, and perspectives, fostering an environment of inclusivity and mutual respect. Learn more about Canada's multiculturalism.
As you can see, Canada’s education system can provide a fantastic opportunity for international students to learn and grow in a safe, stimulating, and accepting environment. While these are only a few benefits of the Canadian education system, plenty more can be found online.
Post-Secondary Opportunities
Canada boasts some of the world's top universities and colleges. International students who graduate from Canadian schools often have the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education there. Many are also eligible to work in Canada after graduation, making it a popular destination for those looking to further their education and career prospects. Canadian qualifications are internationally recognized, even at the school level, allowing students to study anywhere worldwide if they continue their studies after school. However, Canada also boasts some of the world’s best tertiary education systems, with colleges and universities. Learn more about Canadian universities.
Besides Canada's high-quality education, there are many other benefits of studying there. Canada is well-known for its welcoming and diverse culture, allowing international students to feel at home while experiencing something new. Furthermore, Canadian universities and colleges offer a variety of scholarships and bursaries for both domestic and international students, helping to make post-secondary education more accessible. Finally, Canada is renowned for its natural beauty, offering students a year-round outdoor experience. With all these advantages, it's no wonder that many people study in Canada!
Immigration Pathways for Families
There are several immigration pathways parents can use to help their children immigrate to Canada.
Child and Adopted Child Sponsorship
The Canadian Dependent and Adopted Child Sponsorship Program is a part of the Family sponsorship program that enables Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor their dependent children to become permanent residents of Canada. The program allows biological or adopted children under 22, unmarried or not in a common-law relationship, to be sponsored to live with their parent(s) as permanent residents in Canada. Children over 22 can also be sponsored if they suffer from a physical or mental condition that prevents them from being able to support themselves. To sponsor a child, the sponsor must be:
- 18 years or older,
- be either:
- a Canadian citizen,
- a permanent resident living in Canada,
- intending to return to Canada, or
- a person registered under the Indian Act of Canada, and
- be able to provide for their basic needs.
If applicable, those of their dependent children and their spouse can prove their relationship to their child and not have a criminal record. The sponsor must also commit to a financial undertaking to support the family member they are sponsoring, which depends on the relationship's nature and the dependent child's age. Learn more about Canada's Family Sponsorship Programs.
Express Entry
Express Entry is a system used by the Canadian government to manage applications for permanent residence. Families can immigrate under this program, making it an excellent option for those looking to move their entire family to Canada. Learn more about Express Entry.
FAQs
How Long is the Average Canadian school day?
The average Canadian school day starts at 8:30 am and ends at 3:30 pm. This can differ depending on your school and the extracurricular activities you undertake.
At What Age Does the Average Canadian Graduate?
The graduating age is 16 in all Canadian provinces except Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Ontario, where the average graduating age is 18.
Is There a Way for Adults to Gain a Canadian High School Diploma?
Yes. Many educational institutions in Canada offer a General Educational Development (GED) program, which will present you with a high school diploma. You can also apply to a Canadian college or university with a GED.
