Secondary education
High academic standards, outstanding facilities and peace of mind for parents.
Canadian diplomas are recognised worldwide and the country invests heavily in education. Add economic stability, a clear immigration system and a friendly attitude to newcomers, and it is easy to see why more international families choose Canada each year — often at lower cost than the US for comparable quality.
Canada has two official languages, English and French. Some schools teach in both, and around 80% of people in Quebec speak mainly French.
About 7–8% of Canadian pupils attend private schools. Boarding schools are comparable to those in the UK and US in facilities and accommodation, and offer both co-educational and single-sex options.
Each province sets its own system, with 12 grades in total. Elementary school covers grades 1–6 or 1–8; high school covers grades 7–12 or 9–12. In Ontario — the most popular province with international families — the Secondary School Diploma requires 30 credits from grades 9–12: 18 compulsory and 12 optional. Electives range from food technology to Japanese.
Many schools offer AP courses — around 40 subjects taught at first-year university level. Canadian and US universities take AP results into account and may award credit, which attracts motivated students. The stronger the school, the wider its AP choice.
Options in this selection: 4. We shortlist the ones that truly fit your child — and confirm current dates, fees and availability.
Tell us about your child and your plans. We will suggest the right country, school or programme and explain the next steps.
Information is for guidance only. Entry requirements, fees and dates change every year — we confirm the details for each family.
Tell us about your child and your goals — we will reply within 24 hours with our thoughts and possible next steps.
Kate will reply to you personally within 24 hours.
