We know your concerns. Let us explain it!
1、Why do I choose to study in Canada and what are the advantages of Canadian education? My child is in his junior year, is it suitable for him to go to school? What do parents need to do to prepare?
Relatively low competitive pressure, abundant educational resources, and a flexible curriculum are all advantages of Canadian high school education. If you have attended a Canadian high school for three years or more, you will be recognized as having accepted the local curriculum for university applications, as Canadian universities accept local high schools to a much greater degree than foreign schools, giving you a greater advantage in your application.
Canadian high schools offer a wide variety of courses, such as AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate), Chanllenge (Advanced Placement), etc. These courses are very popular among universities and can give students a big advantage in university applications and greatly reduce the difficulty of studying in universities. These programs are popular among universities and give students a big advantage in university applications and greatly reduce the difficulty of studying after entering university.
In addition, Canada is a great country to study in because of its social safety, stricter gun control than the United States, beautiful environment, and high standard of living.
Students who study in Canada’s local curriculum have a natural advantage in applying to universities. Canadian universities recognize their own school system far more than those of other countries, and students can apply to prestigious universities, such as the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia, in a less competitive environment. In addition, Canada’s educational environment is relatively relaxed, allowing students to pursue a variety of directions, and there are many extracurricular activities that encourage students’ ability to explore independently.
Whether or not studying in Canada is a good fit is not a generalized question, but rather a program that requires comprehensive planning. If a student is less independent, he or she may consider a parent chaperone or a private boarding school; if a student has average language skills, he or she may consider a high school with an ESL program; if a student is very good and wants to be as competitive as possible, he or she may choose a school that offers an IB/AP curriculum. We believe that there is no such thing as an unreasonable student, only an unreasonable plan.
If parents are interested in sending their students to Canada, we recommend improving the language aspect. The most uncomfortable part of most international students coming to Canada is usually the language, and although many high schools offer ESL programs for students who are not good enough in English, it can save a lot of time and cost if you can improve your language level and participate directly in English 11/12 classes.
In addition, minor students need a local guardian (a citizen or permanent resident who lives in the city where the school is located) to attend school in Canada, or a relative if the parent has one in Canada. If you do not have relatives in Canada, you need to accompany your student or appoint a guardian.
- How do high school students apply to study in Canada? How do I apply?
It is relatively easy to apply to public high schools. Public high schools generally do not have mandatory language or performance requirements. Once the school has issued an acceptance notice, you can apply for a study visa and prepare to enter the country.
Some private schools require the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test), and high-level private schools require an IELTS score of no less than 7.
3、How long does it take to prepare for studying in Canada? What are the language requirements?
The preparation time generally varies from person to person, but generally about 12 months in advance. For example, if you want to enter school in the fall of 2024, you should start planning and preparing documents in the fall of 2023, and then wait for the school board/school to review your application, and then apply for a school visa after you get the notification letter, etc.
Most schools offer ESL (English as a Second Language) courses, which can be very helpful for students who are new to Canada. For universities, some schools offer a brige program, where students who do not meet the language requirements can first enroll in a bridging program and then officially enter after passing it.
4、Choose a big city or a small or medium-sized city?
The advantages of small and medium-sized cities are that they have a close relationship between neighbors, so children can learn the language and integrate into the local culture as soon as possible, both inside and outside the classroom. Small cities may not have as many public education resources as large cities, but many of the best private colleges and universities are in small and medium-sized cities.
Large cities are rich in life, high in life functions, relatively more resources of all kinds, and more public schools, but the cost of living is high. Some cities have a high percentage of Chinese, so parents need to pay more attention to their children’s language learning and cultural integration after school, but because of the average proportion of people of all races around, there are less problems of discrimination.
5、Are there public and private high schools in Canada as well as in China? What are the advantages and disadvantages of public high schools and private high schools?
Canadian public high schools are relatively inexpensive, and generally offer free admission to children with local status or work visas, and significantly lower fees for international students than private schools.
Private schools do not rely on government funding to operate, so they have more freedom in their management style and curriculum. Most private schools have their own unique strengths, with some offering a specific curriculum and others offering a rich cultural life. Private schools also have better communication with parents, and some schools provide parents with tools such as apps to keep track of their students’ lives and studies.
6、What kind of courses are available in Canadian high schools? How many years of study? What are the requirements for graduation?
The curriculum of Canadian high schools is generally designed by the school board of the respective province.
Alberta high schools are for grades 10 to 12, called Senior High.
B.C. high schools are grades 8 to 12 and are generally named Secondary School.
Ontario high schools are grades 9~12 and are also generally called Secondary School or high school.
In B.C., for example, the B.C. public high school diploma is called Certificates of Graduation, also known as the Dogwood Diploma. 80 credits are required to obtain the diploma, including 52 required credits and 28 elective credits.
The 52 required credits include career-life education (4 credits), career-life connections (4 credits), health and physical education (4 credits), science 10 (4 credits), science 11 or 12 (4 credits), social studies 10 (4 credits), social studies 11 or 12 (4 credits), Math 10 (4 credits), Math 11 or 12 (4 credits), Language Arts 10, 11, 12 (12 credits total), Art 10, 11, 12 or Shall and Design and Technology 10, 11, 12 (4 credits total).
At least 16 of the 80 credits have to be 12th grade courses, including the required language arts12 .
In addition, students must pass math and literacy exams in order to meet the final graduation requirements.
- How do families with immigration plans combine with study abroad?
The combination of immigration and study abroad requires a customized program, and the age of the children, the work of the parents, the timing of the program, etc. are all important factors that affect these programs. In addition, both immigration and study abroad are actions that require long-term planning and commitment, and having a highly viable plan will reduce costs and risks.
We give an example of how studying abroad can provide a relatively easy and less costly immigration path for families. In B.C., for example, a relatively easy way is for students to obtain a post-graduation work visa after completing their university studies, and then obtain PR status through the provincial nomination or experience category.
Our company provides a variety of immigration portfolio products covering different needs and for different people, please contact us to get the most suitable immigration portfolio plan for you.
8、How much money do I need to prepare?
Most private high schools in Canada can provide accommodation and the annual tuition fee is generally $60,000-$70,000, which basically covers all the expenses of studying in Canada, including registration, room and board, tuition fees, health insurance, legal guardianship, uniforms, laundry service, transportation to and from the airport or ferry, extracurricular activities and sports, accident deposit and dormitory deposit, etc.
Public high schools are less expensive, and if parents have a work visa or local status, students can attend the local public high school for free. If you do not meet the above criteria, you will need to pay full tuition fees, which generally range from $10,000 to $15,000 for grades 9-12 and living expenses depending on the student’s circumstances. Because underage students need a local guardian (a citizen/permanent resident who lives in the same city) to study in Canada, the general choice is to have a host family or a chaperone. The cost of living with a host family is usually around $1,000 per month, or $10,000 per year, and the cost of accompanying a student is assessed on a case-by-case basis.