High School
Education System in Canada
High school in Canada is designed for students between the
ages of 14 and 18 and is known as the last stage of general education before
entering the university, college, or job market. The educational system and laws
regarding high schools vary in each province, but they have a similar overall
structure.
1. Training Duration and Timing
- Duration:
- It
is usually 4 years (grades 9 to 12).
- In
the province of Quebec, high school is from grade 7 to 11, after which
students enter CEGEP (Pre-University or Vocational Technical
Course).
- Start
and end of the academic year:
- The
academic year is from September to June.
- The
main holidays include winter holidays (December to January), spring
holidays (March), and summer holidays (July and August).
- Daytime
Hours: Usually from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
2. Course Topics
2.1. دروس اصلی (Compulsory Subjects):
- Language
and literature (English or French, depending on the province).
- Mathematics
(algebra, geometry, statistics).
- Science
(Biology, Chemistry, Physics).
- Social
Studies (Canadian History, Geography, Citizenship).
- Physical
Education and Health.
2.2. Elective Subjects):
- Art
(music, theater, design).
- Computer
Science and Information Technology.
- Foreign
languages (e.g. Spanish, German).
- Job
skills (technical, mechanical, business workshops).
- Psychology,
philosophy, or economics.
3. Credit System
(Credits)
- Students
must earn a certain number of credits in order to earn a high school diploma.
- Number
of credits required:
- Depending
on the province it is usually between 24 and 30 units.
- Each
lesson is assigned a certain number of credits.
- Graduation
Project: Some provinces, such as British Columbia, require the
completion of a special project as part of the diploma.
4. Assessment and Grading
- Grading
System:
- It
is usually in the form of letters
(A, B, C, D, F) or a percentage (0 to 100).
- Final
and midterm exams:
- Some
courses include final exams, which form part of the final grade.
5. Special programs for newcomers
5.1. ESL/FSL
Programs (Second Language):
- For
students for whom English or French is not their first language.
- Objective:
To strengthen language skills to succeed in core subjects.
5.2. International and bilingual schools:
- Some
high schools offer education programs in different languages or
internationally (IB Programs).
6. Extracurricular Activities
- Team
sports (football, basketball, hockey).
- Artistic,
scientific, and social clubs.
- Internship
programs and volunteer work.
7. How to choose a school
Public Schools:
- They are zoned according to the
address of the place of residence (Catchment Area).
- Free
for Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Private Schools:
- They
need to pay tuition fees.
- They
may offer special programs, such as religious or international education.
8. Resources for Newcomers
- Toronto District School Board
(TDSB): TDSB High Schools
- Vancouver School Board (VSB): VSB Secondary Schools
- Ottawa-Carleton
District School Board (OCDSB): OCDSB Secondary Schools
Guidance for Newcomers
- School
Choice:
- Use
school boards' online tools to find the right school.
- To
enroll in public schools, it is mandatory to provide documents such as
the address of residence.
- Sponsorship
Programs:
- Take
advantage of ESL programs to help
your child learn the language.
- Consultation
with the School Board:
- Newcomers
can seek the help of educational counselors on the local school board to
enroll and select courses.
