Time for school! So getting your kids set up in Canada’s school system might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but this quick guide will hopefully help clear things up.

Elementary & Secondary School
First off, it’s the law here: kids in Canada have to go to school. All the public schools in a local area are run by school boards (you might hear them called districts or divisions too). Generally, kids start with Kindergarten, then go all the way through Grade 12.

You’ve got some choices when it comes to schools:

• Free public schools
• Private schools (which you pay for)
• Homeschooling
• Schools where the main language is English or French

When you’re ready to enroll, locate your local school district and determine which school you want to enrol your children in. Contact them and get the registration process going. This is the perfect time to do it if you want to get them started in September. Prepare to show:

• Proof of your child’s status in Canada (like their birth certificate, passport, or immigration papers)
• Proof that they’re a Canadian citizen (if that applies)
• Where you live (a utility bill or lease agreement usually works)
• Their immunization records
• Any previous school records they have

Post-Secondary Education
If you or your child are looking at university or college, that’s a whole different ballgame. It’s a bit more complicated and definitely needs some planning. For all the details you’ll need, check out this helpful link: Education in Canada: Post-secondary.