Schools in Canada at a glance: provincial systems and enrolling

This article is for parents looking at schools in Canada, especially those who have not yet chosen a province or are new to public schools and school boards. Visa and immigration points below are limited to what the official guidance says, and rules can change. Most of the information reflects official guidance as of 29 October 2026.

Each province runs its own system

According to the IRCC newcomer guide 'Welcome to Canada', Canada has no federal education department. Each province and territory runs its own system, and local management is handled by school boards. Details can therefore differ from one province to another.

• Schooling usually runs from kindergarten into Grades 1-12.
• Children move to secondary school between Grades 6 and 8.
• Attendance is compulsory from age 5 or 6 until 16 to 18, depending on the province.
• Public schools are taxpayer-funded and free, though age and residence requirements may apply.

This guide was published as of April 2021. Check the current position with the province and the school board.

Start enrolment with the local school board

The IRCC guide says to contact the local school board to enrol. Popular public schools can have waiting lists, so it recommends registering well before the end of August. A child entering a Canadian school for the first time is assessed by the school or board for level and for any need for English or French language support.

Large boards sometimes run separate international student programmes. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is one example. It lists K-12 and 18+ programmes, fee schedules, custodianship and homestay information. It says that from 1 October 2026 new applications go through the 'True North' system, and that the February 2027 intake deadline was extended to 30 November 2026. Dates can change again, so check the board's own page.

Study permits and custodians

IRCC's study permit page (as of 24 April 2026) says a study permit is a document that lets foreign nationals study at a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada, and that most foreign nationals need one. The listed fee is CAN $150, and processing times vary by country.

In other guidance IRCC explains the following:

• Minor children in Canada with a parent who is authorised to work or study in Canada can attend preschool, primary or secondary school without a study permit.
• A study permit can still help with secondary co-op work permits, access to some provincial services and moving between levels.
• On reaching the age of majority (18 or 19, by province), they must apply for a study permit to keep studying.
• Minors under 17 must come with a parent or legal guardian or have a custodian in Canada. For those 17 and over it is optional but may be requested.
• The custodian must be a responsible adult who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• The Custodianship Declaration (IMM 5646) is notarised in Canada by the custodian (page 1) and in the home country by the parents (page 2), and is sent with the study permit application.
• The age of majority is 18 in places such as Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, and 19 in places such as British Columbia.

The TDSB also notes that children whose parents are authorised to work or study in Canada may have a different status and fees. Ask the board which case applies.

University applications differ by province and university

Each province and university in Canada runs its own process, so read each university's page. For example, the University of British Columbia (UBC) makes initial decisions for IB students on interim grades reported by the school, and confirms them with final IB results. Both SL and HL courses can be used for admission. First-year credit requires official results sent electronically from the IBO. AP credit is described on a separate page.

If your family is also thinking about Korea's 12-year admissions route, read the Ministry of Education's overseas education portal. It describes the 'full-curriculum' route as covering students who completed all primary and secondary schooling abroad, with 12 years as the benchmark. A gap of up to one semester (six months) when moving between different school systems may be accepted. Each university's admissions guide decides eligibility, so confirm with the university directly.

Checklist

• Have you identified the province and school board for your shortlisted areas?
• Have you checked the board's international or newcomer page for how to apply and the deadlines?
• Have you planned the timeline around the advice to register before the end of August?
• Have you checked on IRCC's official pages whether your child needs a study permit?
• If a child under 17 will stay without parents, are the custodian and notarised documents in hand?
• Have you checked the age of majority (18 or 19) for your province?
• If university is the goal, have you read the target universities' own pages?
• If you are considering Korea's 12-year admissions route, have you checked the target university's admissions guide?

Ask the school

• How the parents' status in Canada affects your child's fees and status
• The application system, deadlines and how waiting lists are handled
• How the school assesses level and provides English or French support after enrolment
• Whether the school or board offers custodianship and homestay information, and which documents are needed
• How grade placement works and how the school supports university applications

Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional.