What is the school level in Canada?

Asked by: Joanne Schaefer  |  Last update: December 7, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (33 votes)

In general, elementary school in Canada runs from kindergarten to grade 6, junior high or middle school runs from grades 7-8, and high school runs from grades 9-12. This varies from province to province. Kindergarten starts as early as four years old.

What is 12th grade in Canada?

The school system for Canadian children begins with elementary school and progresses to high school (or secondary school). This system is composed of twelve grades. Once a person completes Grade 12, they receive their high school diploma which makes them eligible for post-secondary education (college and university).

What is level 1 education in Canada?

The first level of study is the primary/elementary school, which then progresses to secondary/high school. There are a total of 12 grades in the schooling system. When a student completes all the grades, they are granted with a high-school diploma.

What is the school system for Canada?

Each of Canada's provinces and territories runs its own education system. The schools in these systems are called public schools, and they are free (funded by taxes). Public schools are available in both English and French in many areas. There are also private schools, which are usually not funded by governments.

Is the Canadian school system like the US?

FAQ education in Canada vs the USA

Canadian education focuses on critical thinking and individual student performance, while the US system prioritizes test scores and competition.

How Canada’s Education System Works

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How long is a school day in Canada?

Each province and territory decides when the school year starts and ends, although it usually begins in September and ends in June. School hours generally run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., from Monday to Friday. Some students choose to attend summer school to take additional courses or upgrade a course mark.

What are the 4 levels of education in Canada?

The Canadian education system is divided into four stages: Kindergarten, Primary (Elementary) Education, Secondary education, and Post-secondary education. Kindergarten is the first stage of formal education in Canada, but it is not mandatory for all children.

What is grade 10 in America?

The tenth grade is typically the second year of high school, called sophomore year. In the U.S. curriculum for social studies, tenth grade students are taught recent world history or American history.

Is Canada the most educated country in the world?

South Korea leads the pack as the most educated country in the world, with a tertiary education rate of 69.29%, securing the top spot. Canada follows closely behind at 66.36%, earning the second position for most educated countries.

Is education free in Canada?

Elementary and Secondary Education. Public education is provided free to all Canadians who meet various age and residence requirements.

What is a college degree called in Canada?

Bachelor's degree: This is the simplest degree offered by Canadian universities. It typically takes 3 to 4 years to complete. Master's degree: This is a more advanced degree that usually takes 1 to 3 extra years of study after you get a bachelor's degree.

What age do Canadians go to college?

18-year-olds are not equipped to handle post-secondary education. More students on average are attending university at a younger age. In the past 15 years, Statistics Canada reported that the median age of Canadian university students decreased from 23.7 to 22.8 years old.

What is the most educated city in Canada?

Do you know that Ottawa is the most educated city in Canada? The fourth largest city in Canada has the greatest number of engineers, scientists, and Ph. Ds per capita than any other city in the country.

Why is Canada's education system so good?

Canada invests more into its public schools than any other country in the G7. In addition, the professionals working in Canada's public school system are also invested in and held to a high standard. In Canada, teachers must have at least a bachelor's degree and 1 year of practical training.

Is there grade 11 in America?

In the US, a student in the eleventh grade is typically referred to as a junior. The vast majority of students who are classified as juniors take the SAT Reasoning Test and/or ACT in the second semester of their third year of high school.

What is 10th grade in Mexico?

Structure of the basic education system

In Mexico, basic education is normally divided into three steps: primary school (primaria), comprising grades 1–6; junior high school (secundaria), comprising grades 7-9; and high school (preparatoria), comprising grades 10-12.

Do schools in Canada have uniforms?

Some schools have a dress code that describes what students may (and may not) wear to school. Most public schools do not have school uniforms. Private schools, however, may have uniforms, and their cost varies.

Is it expensive to live in Canada?

Is Canada Expensive? The simple answer is yes—Canada has living costs that are similar to the USA. Some things, like gas, cost more in Canada. Other things, like rent, tend to be lower, especially compared to major cities like New York or San Francisco.

What month does school end in Canada?

The school year is traditionally from September to June.

How long is summer break in Canada?

Canada. Canada's summer vacation usually lasts from last week of June to early September.

What do Canadians call kindergarten?

1. Pre-elementary. Pre-elementary or 'kindergarten' is the first stage of education in Canada and are offered to children between the ages of four to five before they start elementary school. In New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, this is mandatory, while everywhere else it is optional.

Are universities free in Canada?

Tuition fees for universities vary depending on the program and school you choose. On average in Canada, university tuition costs around: $36,100 per year for international undergraduate students (Statistics Canada, 2022) $21,100 per year for international graduate students (Statistics Canada, 2022)