EDUCATION


“Canada is an of f icially bilingual


country, and parents have the right, in all provinces and territories, to choose between public education in either French or English. In Quebec, French schools will be the norm, though English-medium and bilingual schools do exist and can be an option for non-French-speakers.” However, explains Ms Sawyer, while


the systems of education may dif fer greatly across the jurisdictions, it is the equitable funding of public (that is, state-funded) schools that has led to the even spread of educational performance in Canada, making this type of education a very realistic option for relocating families. “Public schools are funded more


equally, and the gap between higher- performing and lesser-performing districts is generally less dramatic than it is in the US,” she says. “Indeed, it has been argued that the more equitable funding of schools in Canada, in addition to other basic services, such as healthcare, has led to a system in which academic achievement is more evenly spread across social classes. “In Canada, the vast majority of people use public, rather than private, education.”


International schools For families on shorter assignments and those with older children, fee-paying international schools can offer ease of transferability and even the curriculum of their home country or an internationally recognised programme of learning such as the International Baccalaureate (IB). “The IB is available in many schools in Canada, as are


Advanced Placement (AP) courses preparing students for the US College Board AP exams,” says Elizabeth Sawyer. “Families looking for either of these options should be sure to ask schools ahead of time about the process for being admitted to an IB or AP programme, in order to be sure that their children have not missed prerequisite courses.”


Meadowridge School, British Columbia One such school is Meadowridge, an independent


International Baccalaureate World School in British Columbia, which offers co-educational schooling for students from junior kindergarten (age four) to Grade 12. More than 40 nationalities are represented. “Since the IB is a globally recognised programme,” says


marketing director Christy Kazulin, “many of our international families have moved between IB schools, and thus the change of location and school is an easier process for all involved. In addition, the IB Diploma Programme is quickly becoming an advantage among other programmes when applying for university placement in Canada, the UK, the US, and elsewhere. “At Meadowridge, we understand that university is the


not the end of learning, and the aim is to help our students become future leaders and global citizens with aims to better the world. “Our IB programme is integrated fully with the British


Meadowridge School, British Columbia


Columbia educational standards. Meadowridge and the IB fit together naturally, with a focus on the learner prof iles and enquiry-based learning to truly support the growth of the whole child and allow an in-depth understanding of other cultures and global issues. This helps us all to strive towards our school mission of ‘Learning to live well, with others and for others, in a just community’.”


A welcoming environment Canada has long held a reputation for being friendly and welcoming – in fact it took the number-one spot in the Reputation Institute’s 2015 ranking of countries by perceived image. According to Elizabeth Sawyer, the


country’s schools ref lect this. “Families new to Canadian education can be reassured by the fact that the system is generally a forgiving one that allows for relatively easy assimilation by non- Canadians.”


44 | Re:locate | Canada Spring 2016


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