1. Why Canada?
- High-quality education system (ranked among the best in the world)
- The overall quality of high school education in Canada is high, especially in large cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, which are rich in educational resources.
- Small class size, highly qualified teachers, and individualized teaching.
- Safe and friendly learning environment
- Good social security: one of the safest countries in the world (ranked according to the Global Peace Index).
- The government offers a variety of support services to international students to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
- Multicultural social atmosphere
- Canada is a nation of immigrants that embraces different cultures and ethnicities and is extremely inclusive.
- Students are exposed to a wide range of cultural activities, such as international festivals, language exchange programs, and more.
- To help students develop a global perspective and cross-cultural communication skills.
- Excellent English or French language environment
- Canada is a bilingual country that offers both English and French learning environments.
- Most schools offer ESL (English as a Second Language) programs for international students to help them settle in quickly.
- Advantages of further study and immigration after studying abroad
- The Canadian High School Diploma is recognized by universities worldwide, and students have a high chance of getting into the world’s top universities.
- Once you have completed your university or post-secondary education, you can apply for a work visa to further your permanent resident status.
2. Overview of secondary education in Canada
- Education System:
- Secondary education in Canada consists of grades 8 to 12 or 7 to 12, with students between the ages of 15 and 18.
- Public and private schools coexist, both of which provide high-quality education. January to January of the second semester
- The academic year is divided into two to three semesters, from the beginning of September to the end of June.
- Adopt a course selection and credit system, and flexibly arrange courses according to personal preferences.
- Small class sizes of 10 to 25 students allow teachers to teach students more fully according to their aptitude.
- Educational Features:
- Emphasis on critical thinking and creativity.
- Flexible course options that combine academics, arts, athletics, and more.
- Upon completion of high school, students can earn a Canadian High School Diploma
- Flexible course options that combine academics, arts, athletics, and more Upon completion of high school, students can earn a Canadian High School Diploma
3. Advantages of studying in Canadian secondary schools
- Excellent locale, international and multicultural:
- Earlier exposure to the language, culture, and mindset of North America lays a solid foundation for university and beyond.
- Students from all over the globe, sharing multicultural experiences.
- The teaching content is globally recognized, and the focus is on cultivating an international perspective.
- Tuition is cheap and education is of high quality:
- Canada’s education system is widely acclaimed and ranked among the best in the world.
- A wide range of options are available, including STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), language arts, and more.
- Tuition and living expenses are only half of those of similar schools in the United States
- Enjoy the same rights as local students, and it is easier to enter a prestigious school.
- Most secondary schools offer courses that prepare you for admission to the world’s top universities (e.g., AP, IB, etc.).
- High school graduates are easy to apply to universities in Canada and other countries. IELTS and TOEFL scores are not required to apply to local universities in Canada.
4. Types of secondary school study abroad programs in Canada
- Public School Programs:
- Offered by the education departments of the Canadian provinces, tuition fees are relatively low.
- The regional education bureaus set the admission criteria for international students and arrange their enrolment, so international students may not be able to enter the school they want.
- The time for opening applications and issuing admission letters is relatively fixed
- Private School Programs:
- Tuition fees are higher, smaller class sizes are offered, and more extracurricular activities are offered.
- Curricula are often more diverse and emphasize individualized education, so private school students are more competitive after graduation than public high schools according to Statistics Canada. There is more flexibility in issuing offers to make it easier to apply for a student visa in advance. Boarding School Program: Basically the same features as private schools, but with boarding services.
- Curricula are often more diverse and emphasize individualized education, so private school students are more competitive after graduation than public high schools according to Statistics Canada. There is more flexibility in issuing offers to make it easier to apply for a student visa in advance.
- Boarding School Programs:
- It has basically the same characteristics as private schools, but provides boarding services.
5. Application process and requirements
- Decide on the city you go to and the type of school
- Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, etc.
- Public or private schools.
- Contact the private school or public school bureau to submit the application materials
- In general, public education bureau applications start in December, and private schools are more flexible when they enter in September
- Establish a guardian and prepare the documents required for the student visa application
- Pay the tuition fee and apply for a student visa after getting the admission notice At present, the application time is longer, reaching about 4 to 5 months.
- After getting your student visa, you can purchase a plane ticket to welcome the start of school
6. Student life and support services
- Student accommodation options
- Homestay
- Family-style warmth and support, quickly adapt to the local culture and living habits. Contains 3 meals and can be fine-tuned to suit students’ tastes.
- boarding school
- It is convenient for school activities and learning, and has more social opportunities for peers.
- Standardized accommodation is provided
- Homestay
- Academic tutoring and language improvement
- Most schools offer ESL (English as a Second Language) programs and offer the option of continuing tutoring off-campus
- The school provides course selection and university planning services, as well as the option of additional off-campus related services
- Medical & Safety
- International students are required to have health insurance and enjoy free medical care in major cities.
- Campus security measures are perfect, and guardians provide more comprehensive security.
7. Budget for the cost of studying abroad
- tuition
- Public Schools: Approximately $12,000 – $18,000 per year (approximately $65,000 – 98,000 per year)
- Private School: Approximately $25,000 – $30,000/year (Approximately $135,000 – 165,000/year)
- Boarding and living expenses
- Boarding fee: about 1,500 – 3,000 CAD per month, about 18,000 – 36,000 CAD for the whole year, which is equivalent to about 98,000 – 198,000 RMB
- Living expenses: about 500 – 1,000 CAD per month, which is equivalent to about 6,000 – 12,000 CAD (about 33,000 – 66,000 RMB) for the whole year
- Other Fees
- Additional expenses such as medical insurance, extracurricular activity fees, and textbook fees are about 2,000 – 4,000 CAD, which is about 11,000 – 22,000 RMB/year)
- Total cost
- Depending on the city and school type and lifestyle chosen, the total annual cost of studying in Canada can range roughly:
- Public schools: about 131,000 – 264,000 RMB/year
- Private school: about 183,000 – 297,000 RMB/year
- Depending on the city and school type and lifestyle chosen, the total annual cost of studying in Canada can range roughly: