Alberta's educational system

Most jobs in Alberta require at least a high school (secondary) education and many require post-secondary training. Many adults return to school to improve their education or learn about changing technology. Immigrants often have to improve their English language skills or upgrade their job qualifications before they can find employment in Alberta.

Each province in Canada has a different education system. The following information applies to the Alberta education system.

By law, children living in Alberta must attend school from ages six to 16. Public education is provided free of charge for children and young people under 20 years of age, up to the end of secondary school. More information on grades and ages follows.

• Kindergarten is an educational program for children who are under six years of age as of September 1. Most children enter Kindergarten one year before starting Grade 1. Parents decide if their children will attend. Early Childhood Services (ECS) is another name for programs available for children prior to entering Grade 1. For other ECS programs, click on Child Care.
   
• Children start elementary school in Grade 1 at about age six. Some school boards allow children to register at five and a half years of age. Elementary school usually ends after Grade 6.
   
• Junior high school starts at Grade 7 and ends after Grade 9. Most students in junior high school are between the ages of 11 and 15 years.
   
• Senior high school students are usually between the ages of 16 and 18 years. Senior high school starts at Grade 10 and ends after Grade 12.

After completing the required high school courses, students must pass a series of examinations that include provincially set examinations to qualify for an Alberta High School Diploma. Students are expected to find out which courses are required to enter the post-secondary institutions they wish to attend and to select their high school courses accordingly.

Most children attend public, separate, francophone or charter schools that are part of the public education system. Following are some basic features of different kinds of schools:

• Public schools provide basic, universal education.
   
• Most separate schools are Roman Catholic schools. In some areas of the province, they are Protestant schools. These schools provide basic education for Roman Catholic or Protestant students.
   
• Parents whose first language is French and who want their children educated in French language can enroll them in Francophone schools.
   
• Charter schools offer more choice in education programs, teaching methods or learning environments than may be offered in the regular school system. Charter schools follow the Alberta Programs of Study and students are required to write provincial achievement tests and Grade 12 diploma exams.

These schools are funded in part through taxes homeowners must pay to local governments and provincial government revenues, so parents do not have to pay tuition fees. However, parents may have to pay fees for things such as transportation, textbook rentals or art supplies. Some of those fees are paid when the child registers as a student.

For families who do not have enough money, school districts have an appeal process where parents can request that they do not have to pay the fees. Parents who choose to educate their children at home may do so entirely or in part but they have to meet the requirements of the School Act and home education regulation.

If you choose to send your child to a private school, you will have to pay some or all of the costs. Before registering your child in a private school, it is important to find out what the costs will be and if students in the school will earn credits toward an Alberta High School Diploma. Private schools set their own standards for enrolment, often based on following a belief in a particular religious faith or educational philosophy.

Schools send report cards home at least twice a year to show how well each child is learning. Parent-teacher interviews, open houses and school council meetings give parents opportunities to meet teachers and learn more about school activities, class assignments and teacher expectations. Many problems can be solved or avoided altogether by learning as much as possible about your child's school.

For more information about Alberta's education system, see the Alberta Education website.

School days

For most schools in Alberta, the school year starts in late August or early September and ends in late June. Some schools operate all year. Other features of school operating procedures include:

• The school day usually starts between 8 and 9 a.m. and ends between 3 and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.
   
• Schools are closed on weekends and legislated holidays. They also are closed between Christmas and New Year's Day, and for one week called Spring Break in March or April.
   
• Each school designates about two days in the school year as Professional Development (PD) days. On these days, students do not go to school because teachers are attending activities related to their teaching.

During snow storms, listen to a local radio station for announcements about schools closing or changes to school bus schedules.

Enrolling a child

Parents can choose which school their children will attend. When choosing a school outside of your local area, your options will depend on the availability of space in the program, services and transportation. Check with your local school board to find out which schools in your area, if any, offer the types of programs and services you want (for example, English as a Second Language classes or instruction in languages other than English).

English as a Second Language (ESL) programs help children learn English more quickly and adjust to Canadian customs and social expectations. For information about ESL programs in general, see Information for Parents in the Kindergarten to Grade 12 section of the Alberta Education website.

To enroll your child in school, take your child, an interpreter (if you need one) and the following documents (if you have them) to the school:

• Identification documents (for example, child's passport, birth certificate or permanent resident status documents).
   
• School documents from your home country (for example, report cards, course outlines, examples of school work your child has done).
   
• Your child's immunization record.

The school principal may ask questions about your child and will put your child in the appropriate class.

Date Updated: Mar 20, 2009
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