Boarding Schools in Canada

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Why Study in?

Canada is well known for it’s incredible natural landscape, welcoming people and excellence in winter sports. What many people don’t consider when they think of the northern country, however, is the excellence of their education system. In fact, U.S. News & World Report ranked Canada as the #1 country in the world for public education in their 2017 rankings, above the United Kingdom (#2), Germany (#3), Australia (#4) and France (#5). Canadian boarding schools have a lot to offer. The boarding culture developed in earnest in England and eventually moved throughout the Commonwealth, New England and beyond. There are many affordable boarding schools in Canada, many of which have an international reputation. Canadian boarding schools normally have extensive facilities for academic, artistic, and athletic learning, depending on their type and in what subject they specialize in.

About

Canada is regarded to have a superior education system (consistently ranked in the Top 10) and national averages in terms of reading and writing are amongst the highest in the world. As well, boarding schools in Canada are typically a less expensive option than those found abroad. Canadian boarding schools evolved in areas where the British migrated: Eastern Canada, Ontario and British Columbia. Now, Canada can boast over 25 fantastic boarding schools, from east to west, all offering a myriad of unique opportunities. Your Child will learn in a safe and secure environment. Canada has a reputation for being a safe country with an impressively low reported crime rate. Canada’s high standard of living and altruistic outlook makes for a happy population and in turn, a lower crime rate. It is one of the safest countries in the world; full of friendly people with a genuine interest in helping others. Both local and international students are welcomed with open arms, and find that they are fully appreciated throughout their time at school. The Canadian culture is one of acceptance and respect, where different values, ideas and perspectives are taken at equal value. It is a country that celebrates diversity as well as collaborative learning, and has been recognised internationally, as one of the best places in which to live and study.

Canada introduced its Global Markets Action plan in 2013, in which it identified international education as a priority sector. As part of its international education strategy it aims to attract 450,000 international students and researchers by 2022, which is in line with Canada’s resent announcement to increase overall levels of immigration. A recent change in 2016 to the country’s points-based immigration system gives additional points to graduates who had studied in Canada. Canada has recently announced its Student Direct scheme which makes processing times faster for students from four Asian countries: China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines. The students who will benefit from the scheme will be those that can satisfy criteria encompassing language requirements and financial requirements. Part of the Canadian strategy includes recruitment from French speaking countries.

Education System

Canada does not have any centralized, federal department of education. Schools and schooling are the direct responsibility of individual states and territories thanks to the Constitution Act of 1867, which says „In and for each province, the legislature may exclusively make laws in relation to education.” What that means is that schools across Canada’s 13 distinct jurisdictions (10 provinces and three territories) are sometimes vastly different in everything from school hours to required testing to grade level curriculum. Across Canada, high school graduation requirements, for boarding schools and other schools, are set by the provincial boards, not the federal government. Therefore, graduation requirements vary between provinces based on provincial criteria and curricula. Despite what the numbers might seem to suggest, the reality is that graduation requirements vary only superficially between the provinces. All require that students study English/French, mathematics, science, Canadian history, geography, and health. In addition to those core subjects, all provinces offer optional courses for credit, and students are free to choose among them. These include courses in technology and computer studies, graphic and performing arts, world studies, international languages, social studies, and cooperative education. Some Canadian boarding schools are prep schools, in that they prepare students well for university and post-secondary education. Some also cater to specific kinds of students, including troubled youth (or teens), special needs, learning disabilities, and ADHD students. And, of course, there are boarding schools in Canada for high school, middle school, and elementary school students.

Admission

Most boarding schools in Canada Employ a System for Rolling Admissions. This means that there is no definite deadline for applications, and you can visit the school at any time of year. Providing there are still vacancies for enrolment, the school might even offer you a place before March/April, when students generally tend to find out whether they’ve been offered a place or not.

Each province in Canada is governed by a ministry of education. Therefore it’s important when choosing a boarding school in Canada that you consider this before applying. For example, language requirements will differ between Quebec and Saskatchewan, while the compulsory age of schooling is until 17 years of age in Manitoba and 18 in New Brunswick.

Required Tests

Cost of Education

Public schools in Canada are free for residents, and are nearly universally excellent. While most English or French-speaking expat families choose to send their children to public school, some do choose a private education. Typically boarding schools will be the most expensive option in private schooling, especially when the school is located in a major city like Toronto or Vancouver. By contrast, religious schools are usually the least expensive.

While it’s impossible to say exactly what private school will cost, it’s safe to estimate that a good boarding school will run parents between 40,000 CAD and CAD 50,000 per year. For Catholic and other religious schools, fees are usually closer to CAD 10,000 per term.

Accreditation

You can find a boarding school in Canada that fits your style and needs. Canadian high boarding schools offer: ESL, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement or a combination of all three. Accreditation of high school in Canada is not the same in every province. In Canada, Education is managed at the provincial rather than level, which means each province manages its own educational system. Public high schools are founded an offer quality courses developed by the provincial government. Independent or private schools receive both public and private funds and teach courses approved by the government. Some provinces only regulate what diplomas a school is accredited to award, rather than whether a school is accredited to operate, and you should make sure that private school you are interested in can issue the diploma you wish to receive. You can also look to see if a school is accredited by any independent accrediting bodies such as the Canadian Educational Standards Institute (CESI), or has a memberships in organisations like The Canadian Association of Independent Schools, The Quebec Association of Independent Schools etc. There are also accrediting bodies associated with particular religions or educational philosophe. As an international student looking to study in Canada, it is important to make sure that the school you choose can give you the education and graduating diploma you want.

Applying for a visa

For an international student to enroll at a Canadian boarding school, they must have a study permit and a visa. Once you have chosen a school, you will need to make sure it is on the designated learning institution list. This list names the schools in Canada that are approved to accept international students. A study permit can only be issued to someone who has been accepted to study at a designated learning institution. A designated learning institution is a school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. All primary and secondary schools in Canada are designated learning institutions. They aren’t included in this list.If you plan to attend a post-secondary school, make sure it is on this list.

Your study permit is not a visa. It alone doesn’t allow you to enter Canada. You may also need a temporary resident visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA). If so, we will issue it as part of your study permit application. A study permit is usually valid for the length of your study program, plus an extra 90 days. This extra time lets you prepare to leave Canada or apply to extend your stay.

Work after Studies

Canada has many serious advantages that are appealing to international students: English-taught degrees, highly developed economy, high living standards, rich culture and, most importantly, great employment opportunities. Studying abroad in Canada is a great chance to build up a future successful career. While you may be planning to work throughout your study programme, you should especially consider the employment prospects after graduation and how to make the right study choice.

Graduates of Canadian boarding school leave the school environment fully prepared to enter the Higher Education environment. The Canadian education system is internationally renowned for its culture of education; ranked Number 1 as the most educated nation on Earth. Most Canadian boarding schools employ their own University counsellors to work personally with those students that are seeking admission to a United States University. Students who have studied in Canada, and after strive for acceptance into a prestigious American college will experience certain advantages; the international experience will give them an ‘edge’, and it has been consistently proven that most top U.S colleges consider this when making their decision. The number of international students at Canadian universities has risen by 11% in 2017 (Source: Times Higher Education). Canada offers quality education and globally recognized degrees. It’s a great country to live in. The country provides a safe, economically stable and multicultural society.

The job prospects after studying in Canada are excellent. The Canadian universities boast of having more than 5000 global tie-ups. The course curriculum in Canada is very industry oriented. Hence, more than 90% of the graduates get employed in less than six months after finishing their studies in Canada

To work in Canada after you graduate, you need a Post-graduation work permit (PGWP). Not all designated learning institutions make you eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Along with graduating from an eligible designated learning institution, you need to meet all other criteria to get a post-graduation work permit. If you’re not eligible for a PGWP, you may still be able to work in Canada after you graduate of certain designated learning institutions are eligible for this work permit. There are two types of work permits: open work permits and employer-specific work permits.

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