The Basic School System & It’s alternatives
Children between the ages of 6 and 16 are required to attend school in BC. Joining Kindergarten from age 5 is optional. School education for residents is free of charge with parents only required to provide basic school supplies for their child each year. For more information about the provincial school system visit www.bced.gov.bc.ca – there you will find details about the curriculum, Foundation Skills Assessment in Grades 4 & 7 and find links to your local school district. Some schools offer French Immersion programs (where your child is fully integrated into French Language schooling) and there is also the option of sending your child to a Francophone school – but there are language requirements to gain entry.
Many people moving from the UK find the Canadian school system to be a bit behind that of the UK – what your child was doing in England may be more advanced than they will be required to do at the same age in Canada. Perhaps this is because the kids start school later or maybe there is just a less pressured approach to education. I have had many discussions with other Expats and long time locals about the school system and ultimately, you get out what you put in. As with education in any part of the world, parental involvement with additional work and enthusiasm towards studies at home will reflect well in the classroom.
On the flip side, many schools in BC still offer the playgrounds and outdoor space that is now sadly lacking in overdeveloped UK cities. And lets face it, not many schools in Britain can offer a day trip to a ski hill or a bike ride to the local lake. Slowing down the pace of the academics may well be worth while if allowing more time for developing a healthy body.
However, just as in the UK, you also have the option of sending your child to a private or independent school. There is some information about this on the government site listed above which outlines the regulations and standards that such schools are required to meet. You can also try the Federation of Independent School Associations at http://www.fisabc.ca/ for a listing of schools in your area. Another good site for information on private and independent schools is www.ourkids.net/school. Some schools base their education around a specific philosophy, religious viewpoint or educational system so be sure to research thoroughly to find the best school for your children.The Telegraph featured an article about some of the best indipendent schools in Canada which you can read HERE.
If you are interested in home schooling then we suggest visiting the British Columbia Home Learners Association site for further details at http://www.bchla.bc.ca/ or visit the Canadian Homeschool Resource page at www.flora.org/homeschool-ca for lots of great information.
Finally, if you find your child struggling at school or if you want to help them get ahead, many parents in Canada take advantage of tutoring programs. A couple of the more widespread brand names are Sylvan and Kumon. For more information visit www.vancouver.localsylvan.com or www.kumon.com to find a center near you. Your local paper will often list private tutors in the classified advertisements too.
Click here to open a Ministry of Education document to guide you through choosing a school in BC.