Levels Of Education In Schools In Waterloo Ontario
International students planning to join schools in Waterloo Ontario are always curious to know the structure or education levels of schools in Ontario. This helps them to know at what level they will join in, or the level of academic achievement that they should have attained to join in at a certain level. Understanding the grade structure of schools in Waterloo Ontario is an important step in understanding our educational system.
Education in Canada is generally divided into five categories or levels that correspond with the age of the student or child. It is only Quebec that has a unique system that doesn’t resemble this five-stage categorization. As for Waterloo, the following are the levels one has to go through.
Early Childhood Education
Ontario has pre-kindergarten or junior kindergarten as well as grade primary or kindergarten schools. This early childhood education is meant for children aged 3 years to 5 years of age.
Elementary Education
This is the second stage or level of education that a child has to undergo. One starts off in Grade 1 and progresses to Grade 6. The age bracket expected to be in this level of education is those aged between 6 to 12 years.
Middle School or Junior High School
The third level of education in schools in Waterloo Ontario is Junior High. This level has Grade 7, Grade 8 and Grade 9. Children aged 12 years up to those that are 15 years old are the ones at this level of education.
Secondary School
The second highest level of education is High School. Those that have successfully completed Middle School join high schools of their choice, or those nearest to them.
This level has Grade 10, 11 and 12. Ontario has a special provision for Grade 12+. This added grade caters for those that are between 18 to 21 years of age. Other states don’t have this additional grade and they integrate older children in the normal grade classes meant for those aged 15 to 18 years.
Post Secondary Education
This is the highest level and it has three kinds of institutions. The first are the colleges. Technical colleges or community colleges offer training that leads to the award of certificates, diplomas, associate degrees as well as bachelor’s degrees.
Universities are the other category of institution in this level of education. These institutions specialize in education and research leading to the award of academic degrees. One can get undergraduate or post-graduate education at these institutions.
Graduate schools are the third and final kind of institution falling under the category of tertiary education. Their role is to train and award successful students with advanced degrees and diplomas such as master’s degrees and doctorates. They can also award advanced certificates.
Summing it up…
If you are interested in living in Waterloo Ontario and getting educated while here, the above description will help you get an idea of how the system is structured. There is a wealth of information on Waterloo life as well as the places where to live when you finally relocate. Make full use of that information and your education will be a resounding success.
