Age when children went to school

School age child development is a range from 6 to 12 years of age. During this time period observable differences in height, weight, and build of children may be prominent. The language skills of children continue to grow and many behavior changes occur as they try to find their place among their peers. As always, safety is important in school age children and proper safety rules should be enforced in and out of the school area⁴.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

School-age children typically have fairly smooth and strong motor skills. However, their coordination (especially eye-hand), endurance, balance, and physical tolerance vary.

Fine motor skills may also vary widely and influence a child's ability to write neatly, dress appropriately, and perform certain chores, such as making beds or doing dishes.

There will be significant differences in height, weight, and build among children of this age range. It is important to remember that genetic background, as well as nutrition and exercise, may influence a child's growth.

SAFETY

Safety is important for school-age children.

School-age children are highly active and need strenuous physical activity, peer approval, and more daring and adventurous behaviors.

Children should be taught to play sports in appropriate, safe, supervised areas, with proper equipment and rules. Bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, and other types of recreational sports equipment should fit the child. They should be used only while following traffic and pedestrian rules, and while using safety equipment such as knee, elbow, wrist pads/braces, and helmets. Sports equipment should not be used in darkness or extreme weather conditions.

Swimming and water safety lessons may help prevent drowning.

Safety instruction regarding matches, lighters, barbecues, stoves, and open fires can prevent major burns.

Wearing seat belts remains the most important way to prevent major injury or death from a motor vehicle accident.

All in all, School-age children typically have fairly smooth and strong motor skills. However, their coordination (especially eye-hand), endurance, balance, and physical tolerance vary.

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4. www.internationaleducationmedia.com(09.2008)

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Levels in education

At the age of 5 and under children went to Pre-School or Nursery School. Junior in 4-5 they went to Kindergarten (only in Ontario).

Kindergarten (5-6): students in the Prairie Provinces are not required by statute to attend kindergarten. Kindergarten is not often available in smaller towns or in the Territories.

Elementary school: refers to grades 1 through 6, but may also include grades 7 and 8.At the age of 6-12 in Grade 1-6 children went to Junior high school: also called "middle school" or "intermediate school". In many places, junior high school and high school are merged into one consisting of a high school with grades 8-12. In other areas, the junior high grades are merged into elementary schools consisting of grades K-8. In parts of Ontario, "senior public schools" exist (basically the same as US middle schools), consisting only of grades 6, 7 and 8 or grades 7 and 8⁵. This particular split is driven by demographics and school building capacity. In the Prairie Provinces, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, however, junior high schools (which are not called middle schools) include only grades 7, 8, and 9, and never grades 6 or earlier; there are, however, combination elementary and junior high schools that include grades 1 to 9 and, occasionally, kindergarten.

At the age of 12-13 сhildren went to midle school in Grade 7.

At the age of 13-14 сhildren went to midle school in Grade 8.

At the age of 14-14 сhildren went to midle school in Grade 9 (Senior 1 in Manitoba) (in Ontario and the Atlantic Provinces, this may be the first grade of high school) High school (in some areas, usually areas with no junior high schools, from grade 8 to 12):

At the age of 15-16 сhildren went to midle school in Grade 10 (Senior 2 in Manitoba)

At the age of 16-17 сhildren went to midle school in Grade 11 (Senior 3 in Manitoba) ⁶.

All in all, In parts of Ontario, "senior public schools" exist (basically the same as US middle schools), consisting only of grades 6, 7 and 8 or grades 7 and 8. .This particular split is driven by demographics and school building capacity. In the Prairie Provinces, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut, however, junior high schools (which are not called middle schools) include only grades 7, 8, and 9, and never grades 6 or earlier; there are, however, combination elementary and junior high schools that include grades 1 to 9 and, occasionally, kindergarten.

5. www.infozee.com/canada/ (02.2009)

6. www.cmec.ca/internationa (01.2009)

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Types of college and university in Canada

Canada has a large selection of universities and university colleges located in both urban and rural settings in every region of the country. Our universities are internationally known for the quality of teaching and research. Degrees from Canadian universities are considered to be equivalent to those from American and other Commonwealth universities. Canadian universities are largely publicly funded; as a result they are of a consistently high quality, regardless of location or area of study. As well, they all retain a high degree of academic autonomy.

Full-time student enrolments at individual universities range from over 35,000 to less than 1,000. In addition, most universities have a large number of part-time or continuing education students. They offer a broad range of courses and a full range of degrees from undergraduate to doctorates, and can also offer certificates and professional degrees. Fees for universities differ depending on the province, institution and program of study.

The university year usually runs from September to May. Some universities are on a semester or trimester system, with all courses available even in the summer. There is no Canada-wide entrance test: each university sets its own admission standards and assesses the qualifications of each applicant individually.

As Canada has two official languages - English and French - an international student can take a degree either at an English language or French language institution. Some universities offer instruction in both languages. However, students do not have to be fluent in both languages to attend a Canadian university.

To qualify for a degree program at most English-speaking universities, students for whom English is not a first language must have passed an English examination test. The TOEFL is commonly accepted but Canadian universities often have their own tests for students or may accept other English examination tests such as the IELTS.

Your local Canadian Education Centre (CEC) can provide valuable information on English examination tests acceptable to Canadian universities. CEC staff can also advise students on whether they may qualify for an exemption from English examinations. In addition, CECs have extensive materials on Canadian schools and can also provide counselling to students on finding the appropriate institution and applying for study in Canada.

If you are interested in studying at a French language institution, please note that there is no standardized French language test that international students are required to pass in order to qualify for a degree program. French universities, however, will determine the level of a student's French language skills on a case-by-case basis, and may choose to administer their own written tests if language skills are in question

Canadian universities are largely public funded, and, as a result, offer consistently high quality education at lower tuition rates for international students than their counterparts in competing countries.   They offer a broad range of courses and degrees from undergraduate to doctorate and also certificate and professional degrees.

In Western Canada, university normally consists of four years leading to a Bachelor's Degree (whether Honours, With Distinction, or otherwise), and five years for a double major or for a Bachelor's Degree in certain specific fields. However, at many universities in Western Canada students are permitted to take up to ten years to complete a Bachelor's Degree part-time. It is also more common in Western Canada for students to apply to university years after graduating from high school than it is in Ontario or the Atlantic Provinces.

As a component of the Canadian university system, university colleges offer students a choice of either academic oriented university degree programmes or the more practical-oriented college diplomas and certificates.As a part of the Canadian college system, university colleges are

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distinguished by their strong student support services, small classes and strong campus environments.  They also offer combined degree/diploma programmes and university transfer programmes.

Community colleges and technical institutes:

They typically have a more vocational-related curricula, with small classes, off-campus course offerings, a greater ratio of laboratory space to class room space, and an interactive teaching style.  The uniqueness of Canadian colleges lies in the combination of employer-centered curricula.   These institutes have the primary function of responding to the training needs of business, industry, and public service sectors.  Most colleges and technical institutes offer diplomas and certificates rather than degrees, however, more and more now grant degrees and applied degrees.

Technical/ Career College :

This is a privately owned and operated school with the main objective of preparing students for the job market after a short period of instruction.  The emphasis at career colleges is on practical skills over a broad range of programmes. They specialize in such areas as business, computers, and secretarial skills.  Although privately owned, these institutes are provincially approved and regulated, ensuring that programmes standards and quality are maintained.

Canada is the second-largest country in the world and is known for its geographic variety, cultural vibrancy and economic strength. From sea to sea, from small rural towns to bustling urban centres, Canada is a nation rich in opportunity⁷. Canada's diversity is also reflected in its many career colleges. Career colleges are nothing new: alternately known as vocational or technical schools, they have been part of Canada's post-secondary education since the late 19th century. Despite their long history, they are often overlooked when it comes to student school searches. However, Canada's career colleges have much to offer that the larger institutions can't provide, and so the career colleges have a unique and specialized role within Canada's post-secondary education system and should be part of any student's school considerations.

Christian Universities

Currently there are over 40, 4-year Christian universities and colleges and 2/3-year bible schools in Canada with a total enrolment of over 17,000. There is no single term to describe these institutions and they are variously referred to as bible schools, colleges, universities, and institutes. Diverse in character, often, but not exclusively sponsored by the protestant evangelical movement in Canada, Christian universities and colleges can be found across Canada. They offer bachelor’s degrees, diplomas and certificates. Programs span religious and theological studies, including religious studies, theology, missions and church music. And since the 1970’s many have developed a range of liberal arts and professional programs offered from the perspective of a Christian worldview, including business, early childhood education, social work, and even outdoor leadership. Many of Canada’s Christian universities and colleges have achieved national and international attention through their missionary endeavors. The academic year usually starts in September and ends in May, and is normally divided into two semesters.  Some institutes operate on a semester or trimester system and admit students in January and/or May as well as September.  Many institutes offer a limited number of courses and special programmes during the summer session.

7. www.msconsulting.ca/EDUCATION(02.2008)

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Private Universities

At present, all private universities in Canada maintain a religious history or foundation. British Columbia’s Quest University will become the first privately funded liberal arts university without a denominational affiliation (although it is not the first private liberal arts university). Many provinces, including Ontario and Alberta, have passed legislation allowing private degree-granting institutions (not necessarily universities) to operate there.

Many Canadians remain polarized on the issue of permitting private universities into the Canadian market. On the one hand, Canada’s top universities find it difficult to compete with the private American powerhouses because of funding, but on the other hand, the fact that the price of private universities tends to exclude those who cannot pay that much for their education could prevent a significant portion of Canada’s population from being able to attend these schools.

All il all, It is also more common in Western Canada for students to apply to university years after graduating from high school than it is in Ontario or the Atlantic Provinces.

As a component of the Canadian university system, university colleges offer students a choice of either academic oriented university degree programmes or the more practical-oriented college diplomas and certificates.

Program Transfers

In some cases, it is possible to complete only one or two semesters of undergraduate study in Canada, and then apply your studies towards a degree program in your home country. You may also be interested in transferring to a Canadian university to complete you studies. In either case, it is important to ask the advisors at the Canadian institution you are planning to attend, as well as your home university or college, about equivalencies specific to your program of interest.

All in all, Currently there are over 40, 4-year Christian universities and colleges and 2/3-year bible schools in Canada with a total enrolment of over 17,000. There is no single term to describe these institutions and they are variously referred to as bible schools, colleges, universities, and institutes. Many Canadians remain polarized on the issue of permitting private universities into the Canadian market. On the one hand, Canada’s top universities find it difficult to compete with the private American powerhouses because of funding. Canadian universities are largely public funded, and, as a result, offer consistently high quality education at lower tuition rates for international students than their counterparts in competing countries.

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