| In Canada, each Province and Territory has jurisdiction | | | | years) |
| over its own education system. Public education is free | | | | Finally, there is Senior high school; this is for grades 10 - |
| to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged | | | | 12(15 - 18 years old). To graduate from high school, |
| less than 20 years. | | | | students need to achieve 100 credits. Credits are given |
| Parents are responsible for providing school supplies, | | | | for different subjects and courses that the student |
| school uniforms are not worn but Band and Sports | | | | can take. |
| uniforms are also the parent's responsibility. In Alberta, | | | | High schools also offer many different choices for |
| students are legally required to attend school between | | | | students to help them to prepare for further education |
| the ages of 6 and 16 years. | | | | in Alberta. |
| It is extremely important that you find out when the | | | | Schools do not have to teach a second language, |
| registration period is to ensure that your kids get the | | | | however many schools offer various language |
| places at the schools you want. The registration | | | | courses. Students are encouraged to learn French, |
| normally takes place several months before the year | | | | Canada's other official language. Depending on the |
| starts (I.E. register in Feb. for September). Contact the | | | | school there are many other second language courses |
| particular school to find out the precise details. There | | | | available. |
| may well be an administration fee charged to register | | | | There are three types of language courses offered: |
| your child! | | | | Immersion - this is where French is mainly used during |
| There are a number of different types of schooling | | | | the school day to teach the pupils. At elementary level |
| options available for your child's education in Alberta. | | | | it is used for 50 - 100 % of the day and 40 - 80% at |
| The choices are: Public, French immersion, Catholic, | | | | the secondary level. You do not have to have French |
| Francophone, Charter and Private Schools. Parents | | | | speaking parents to enroll in French immersion. |
| also have the option of home schooling their children. | | | | Bi-lingual - in which the language is used 25-50% of the |
| Each school has its own attendance area; school | | | | time. |
| boards are required to provide transportation for | | | | Second language programs - in which a particular |
| students that live more than 2.4 kilometers away. | | | | language is taught as a course. |
| There may be a charge for this which you can expect | | | | Transfer from abroad |
| to have to pay before the start of each school year. | | | | Students who are new to education in Alberta and are |
| Your child does not have to enroll in the school in your | | | | from a foreign (non Canadian curriculum) school |
| attendance area as you may choose to enroll them | | | | system should submit an official statement of previous |
| elsewhere. However, the parents would then be | | | | standing, such as a report card to the school they |
| responsible for transportation to and from school. Also, | | | | want to enroll in. You should also have the previous |
| a percentage of the local taxes that every resident | | | | school records and transcripts, copies of course |
| has to pay are paid to the school system of your | | | | outlines and content. |
| choice (catholic, public etc.) in your catchment area. | | | | After considering a number of factors including the |
| The school year usually runs from the beginning of | | | | students age, records and test results they will be |
| September through to June 30th. However, there may | | | | placed in the appropriate grade. |
| be variations to this from system to system. Most | | | | Post Secondary Education |
| schools close down for the months of July and August | | | | Post Secondary education in Alberta has a wide |
| as well as breaks at Christmas and Easter. | | | | variety of institutes to choose from: |
| Preschool and Kindergarten | | | | There are publicly funded colleges which are located |
| Schooling can start as early as 3 years old, at | | | | at many different places. The courses that these |
| preschool. These tend to be privately run; therefore, | | | | colleges offer include academic upgrading, job |
| you have to pay for them. Most children will attend | | | | readiness, apprenticeship certificate and diplomas. |
| pre-school until they are five years old. | | | | The two main technical institutions of Alberta are North |
| Children's Services set standards for day care, | | | | Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) which is located |
| nursery schools, drop in centers and family day homes. | | | | in Edmonton and South Alberta Institute of Alberta |
| This ensures the health and safety and well-being of | | | | (SAIT) located in Calgary offer certificate, diploma's, |
| the children that attend these facilities. | | | | apprenticeship and continuing education in Alberta that |
| Kindergarten generally starts at the age of 5 years, | | | | are tailored to workplace requirements. |
| although some school boards have different age cut | | | | Three campus based universities, University of Alberta |
| off dates. The student will attend 5 days of either | | | | (Edmonton), University of Calgary and the University of |
| morning or afternoon classes. Kindergarten has 400 | | | | Lethbridge and one distance learning university, the |
| instructional hours per year. It is normally part of the | | | | University of Athabasca. There are also seven private |
| school that your child will attend in Grade 1 and is good | | | | colleges that are accredited to grant degrees at |
| preparation for full time school. | | | | University level. |
| If your kid(s) are around this age be sure to find out | | | | Another type of course available is the Alberta |
| about vaccinations. There will be standard | | | | Apprenticeship and Industry Training System which is |
| Vaccinations offered that schools MAY insist on being | | | | an industry and government partnership that ensures a |
| up to date before they start school. Check with your | | | | highly skilled workforce in 54 designated trades. There |
| chosen school for more details. | | | | are also scholarships available in this system. |
| This age or younger is a very good time to think about | | | | Student loans, numbers and permits |
| saving for your child's post secondary education. Fees | | | | As with all of Canada, the Post Secondary education |
| for post secondary education in Alberta are very | | | | in Alberta is NOT free. Several years ago, the |
| expensive. There is a savings plan available in which | | | | Canadian Government launched Registered Education |
| the Federal Government will input a percentage of | | | | Savings Plans (RESP's) to help parents save for their |
| your contributions. These are called Registered | | | | children's future education in Alberta. These are great if |
| Education Savings Plan (RESP). | | | | you start them early, but if your kids are about to start |
| Elementary and High School | | | | when you land it is too late. |
| Children start Elementary school at the age of 6 years | | | | In that case, there are interest free student loans |
| (Grade 1) and stay there until they are 12 years | | | | available if you attend a designated post secondary |
| old(Grade 6). There are certain subjects that are | | | | institute full time. These are only available to Canadian |
| required in these grades; these include Language Arts, | | | | citizens or permanent residents. There are two |
| Math, Science, Social Studies, Art and Music, Health | | | | sources of student loans for education in Alberta - the |
| and Physical Education. There are also optional | | | | Government of Canada and the Government of |
| courses available; these vary from school to school. | | | | Alberta. |
| Some school boards have a middle school for grades | | | | To be able to enroll in any school or post secondary |
| 5 to 8. If there is no middle school structure the children | | | | institute in Alberta or to apply for a student loan you |
| move on to junior high for Grades 7 to 9. (12 to 15 | | | | must firstly apply for an Alberta Student Number. |