While most individuals are looking for Universities in Canada to obtain a degree, that’s the same way others are searching for high schools in Canada for international students to obtain a diploma.
The long-term international enrolments have risen to 55% over the last five years which means international students are attracted to high schools in Canada as well.
From statistics over 40,000 international students were enrolled in the 2018/2019 school year.
Canada remains the best choice for individuals who are looking forward to obtaining their high school degree from a renowned high school. In this article, I will be talking about the high schools in Canada for international students and domestic students.
Why should a student attend high schools in Canada?
Canada is known for its high quality of life and its high standard of education. As for international students, they are highly valued and as such, the provincial and federal governments are making efforts to attract students and help them stay in the country after graduation.
Here are some of the reasons to attend high schools in Canada for international students:
Modern Classrooms
Canada’s public education is well funded and as a result that schools and students have access to the latest classroom technology which includes tablets, interactive whiteboards and information labs.
Digital literacy is fundamental and inevitable in today’s world and Canada offers the best of these things to students.
Technology evolves quickly, and students need to keep up with current demands as they prepare to enter the workforce.
Internship Opportunities
Students tend to benefit more from this. Internship placements tend to supplement their studies with real-world work experience.
These optional opportunities allow students to earn high school credit by participating in a work placement.
It is an excellent chance for students to explore future careers, practice skills and gain experience. This consequently prepares students with the skills and expertise they need to thrive.
Exceptional Staff
The teachers in Canada are highly regulated and are required to have specific qualifications to teach. This simply means that students can expect consistency in the high-quality education they receive.
One good thing about teachers in Canada is that they specialize in their field which means that teachers have in-depth knowledge of the specific subjects they teach.
Canadian high schools also offer support to staff as well as guidance counsellors to help students get the best out of themselves. They support students with academic struggles while guiding them with career advice.
Internationally Recognized Credentials
Canadian high school diplomas are recognized all over the world by universities and other post-secondary institutions globally.
The countries robust and consistent education system makes these credentials respected around the world.
In addition to the necessary high school diplomas, many secondary schools offer international programs that can support a student’s post-secondary application.
For instance, the International Baccalaureate is offered in many schools throughout Canada. The International Baccalaureate uses a standard grading system and rigorous curriculum that allows colleges and universities to convert grades into their local system very quickly.
How Many Years is High School in Canada?
The number of years students take in high schools in Canada varies due to the fact that education in Canada is overseen on a provincial level.
Also known as secondary school, high school runs from grades 9 to 12 in most Canadian provinces and territories, except Quebec, which starts in grade 7 and ends in grade 11.
After successfully completing high school at age 17 or 18, students can go on to college or university.
As for Quebec, they consider high schools(secondary schools) as grades 7 to 11 as I have stated earlier.
In Quebec, students may apply to college with their grade 11 diploma but must complete a Diploma of College studies if they intend to enrol in a University.
Canada’s school year
There is no distinction between middle and high school.
Most Canadian youngsters complete their school education through to grade 12, whereafter they may proceed on to vocational or tertiary studies.
The Canadian academic year runs from September through to June, although in some cases January admissions are allowed.
What is the cost of attending high schools in Canada for international students | Is high schools in Canada for international students free?
Public schools in Canada are free for Canadian residents. However, they charge tuition fees for international students. For international students, they should expect to be paying between C$8,000 to C$15,000.
It is advised you check the high school that you have picked and see the exact tuition fee.
That’s not all, sometimes, schools charge small fees for your child to participate in extra activities, such as school outings.
Students bring their own lunch to school, however, some high schools in Canada offer cafeterias or hot lunch programs where students can purchase their meals.
Can I work in Canada as a high school Student?
The minimum age to work in Canada varies by province but is typically 14 to 15 years old.
The Canada Labour Code allows people under 17 to work, as long as it doesn’t conflict with school hours.
International high school students studying in Canada on a visa are not eligible to work.
What are the subjects to take in high schools in Canada?
The curriculum in Canada is very engaging and there are wide varieties of courses for students to select.
These courses are designed to teach students how to address real-world issues, how to develop critical thinking skills and how to adequately prepare for their future careers.
Students are required to take a certain number of credit core subjects like Mathematics, Science, and English Language to receive their high school diplomas.
These subjects are offered at different levels, including courses designed to fulfil standard university admission requirements.
Students can also take some unique classes in order to fulfil specific interests or specialties, such as business, film and social science credits.
High schools in Canada VS High schools in the US
The Canadian high school system is generally quite similar to that of the United States. One thing differentiating high schools in both countries is that each country’s schooling is designed to support post-secondary applications within the same country.
For instance, High Schools in the United States are structured to help students prepare for the SAT exams which are not required for Canadian Universities.
Also, you find terminologies differing from country to country. For example, American high schools tend to use the terms like freshman, sophomore, junior and senior to refer to different grades.
In contrast, high schools in Canada for international students, refer to them as grades 9, 10, 11, or 12.
In Canadian high schools, there is less emphasis on sports, although athletic extracurriculars and sports teams are still popular.
Extracurricular Activities in Schools in Canada
School kids need to be active and challenged. It is an essential part of the Canadian way of life. Extracurricular activities were introduced for this purpose. Most schools have made it compulsory for learners.
These activities can take place during the school day, during lunch or even after school. For most school children it is the best part of the day because they get to enjoy a sport or cultural activity that can sometimes become a big part of their lives.
why should high school kids get involved in extracurricular activities?
Extracurricular activities are not only essential for children to learn about teamwork, respect and sportsmanship, but also for them to make friends and develop a passion for one of the extracurricular activities.
For high school students who are new to Canada, extracurricular activities can be a good way to practice and improve their English skills while gradually becoming a part of their new environment in a fun and exciting way.
The most beautiful part is that Universities and Colleges are looking for applicants who show that they have interests outside their academic lives, as well as volunteer experience.
There are different types of extracurricular programs to get involved with, in high schools in Canada and they are listed below:
Sports extracurricular activities:
- Football
- hockey
- gymnastics
- swimming
- ballet
- dance
Cultural:
- Art
- photography
- choir
Volunteering:
Volunteering is another example of extracurricular activity that benefits high school students while also helping people who are in need.
Where to live in Canada as a high school student
Some high schools in Canada for international students have dormitories while Canadian high schools accepting international students will most time offer exchange programs, where students live with a host family near the school for the duration of their studies.
Living with a host family is an opportunity for international students to learn about the culture in Canada while they practice their English.
These families also provide support to their students, therefore, making the families fn the international students in the high schools in Canada feel comfortable, knowing that these students are being taken care of.
Boarding High Schools in Canada (high schools in Canada for international students
It is no news that some high schools in Canada frequently offer accommodations to their students. These boarding high schools in Canada offer so many advantages.
Living inside a school gives students the opportunity to live in close proximity to their classes.
Boarding schools give students in high school students in Canada the to live among their peers, providing networking opportunities and facilitating new friendships.
high schools in Canada for international students come with benefits such as the purchase of meal plans, which allow students to eat meals in cafeterias inside the school. This makes them spend less time cooking and more time focused on their studies.
Other benefits boarding schools come with includes access to fitness or aquatic facilities that are operated by the school.
The cost of living in a boarding school depends entirely on the institution and maybe less or more expensive. Below are some boarding high schools in Canada and how much they cost:
List of some boarding schools in Canada and their tuition
- Brentwood College School(Grades: 9-12, PG): Tuition: $59,000
- Queen Margaret’s School(Grades: 6 to 12):Tuition: $62,920
- St. George’s School(Grades: 9–12.):Tuition: $66,950
- St Margaret’s School(Grades: 8-12): Tuition: $6,475.00
- St Michaels University School(Grades: 8-12):Tuition: $62, 970
- Shawnigan Lake School(Grades: 8-12):Tuition: $50,500
- Balmoral Hall School(Grades: 2-12):Tuition: range from $31,500 to $33,000
- St. John’s-Ravenscourt School(Grades: 6-12):Tuition: $16,890 to $49,440
- Rothesay Netherwood School(Grades: 6-12):Tuition: $41,880
- Albert College(Grades: 7-12): Tuition: $17,800 to 71,500/year
- Appleby College(Grades: 7 to 12): Tuition: $68,630
- Ashbury College(Grades: 9-12): Tuition: $71,720
- The Bishop Strachan School(Grades: JK–12): Tuition: $34,760-$65,850
- Bronte College of Canada, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada(Grades: 9 to 12): Tuition: $18,000.00 to $21,000.00