Elementary and secondary schools
Public elementary and secondary school education is provided free to
all Canadian citizens, landed immigrants and refugees. In 1999/00, there
were 16,024 elementary and
secondary schools in Canada—only
4% of which had enrolments
of 1,000 students or more.
Although compulsory education begins at age 6 in most jurisdictions,
95% of 5-year-olds and 43% of 4-year-olds were attending school in 1999/00.
Enrolment at age 16—the last year of compulsory education in most jurisdictions—was
above 90% in 1999/00 in most provinces and territories.
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![Photo - The computer, a useful tool in elementary schools](/web/20071116024625im_/http://www43.statcan.ca/02/02c/img/02c_005_1.jpg) |
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The computer, a useful tool in elementary schools
Photo: Comstock
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There is a wide difference in the way children work their way through
the various school
systems across Canada.
Some switch from primary to junior high school at Grade 6 or 7, before going
on to secondary school for Grade 9 or 10. Others go straight from primary to
secondary school. In Quebec, high
school ends at Grade 11, so students wishing to continue their studies in a postsecondary
setting enrol at a CEGEP (collège d'enseignement général et professionnel). Ontario
completed
its shift from a
five-year to a four-year high school program in 2002/03.
![Chart - Enrolment in elementary and secondary schools](/web/20071116024625im_/http://www43.statcan.ca/images/icons/icon_chart_R_e.gif)
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