Overview
Schools for newcomer children
Public education is administered by provinces and local school boards. Enrolment normally depends on the child’s age and home address, while immigration-document requirements vary with family status.
Contact the local school board
Use the board for the actual residence and ask about newcomer assessment or reception centres. School boundaries can assign a different campus than the nearest building.
French-language and Catholic systems may have constitutional or provincial admission rules.
Bring identity and school records
Prepare birth, guardianship, immigration, address, vaccination and previous report records with translations where useful. Missing transcripts should not prevent the family from asking the board how to enrol.
Custody orders and emergency contacts need to be current.
Ask about language and learning support
Boards assess English or French language needs and place students by age and educational history. Ask how special-education assessments, individualized plans and prior diagnoses are handled.
Interpretation should be available for important parent meetings where possible.
Understand attendance and daily costs
School is compulsory within provincial age ranges. Tuition is generally public for eligible residents, while lunches, transportation, supplies, trips and before-school care can cost extra.
Settlement workers in schools can connect families to community programs.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about schools for newcomer children
Is public school free for newcomers?
Eligible resident children generally attend without tuition, but immigration and provincial rules and ancillary costs vary.
Must children wait for perfect English or French?
No. Boards provide language assessment and support within the school system.
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