Schooling in Toronto
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10
Schooling in Toronto
Hi
I have posted in this in another thread I have on the go in the visa forum and been told it’d be best posting in general, so here goes.
When we move to Toronto our daughter will be 6 in the mid-August (we’re probably going to be coming out in the May/June beforehand), will she be eligible to start Grade 1 or we will we have to wait another year?
I have done some research but I can’t find anything that’s clear cut. I understand the school year starts in late August so not sure whether she’d be 6 in time to start that year?
Could anyone please clarify this?
Thank you.
I have posted in this in another thread I have on the go in the visa forum and been told it’d be best posting in general, so here goes.
When we move to Toronto our daughter will be 6 in the mid-August (we’re probably going to be coming out in the May/June beforehand), will she be eligible to start Grade 1 or we will we have to wait another year?
I have done some research but I can’t find anything that’s clear cut. I understand the school year starts in late August so not sure whether she’d be 6 in time to start that year?
Could anyone please clarify this?
Thank you.
#2
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Schooling in Toronto
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Schoo...egories-Canada
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Schoo...d_Dates-Canada
Most schools return to operating the first day after labour day... so the 1st week of September.
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Newcomers/Students/Registration-Reception-Centres
First day of classes for all students is September 4, 2018
Just to put your mind at ease - the cut off for Ontario is 1st September.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e02#BK30
21 (1) Unless excused under this section, (a) every person who attains the age of six years on or before the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in that year until the person attains the age of 18 years; and
(b) every person who attains the age of six years after the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in the next succeeding year until the last school day in June in the year in which the person attains the age of 18 years. 2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1).
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Schoo...d_Dates-Canada
Most schools return to operating the first day after labour day... so the 1st week of September.
http://www.tdsb.on.ca/Newcomers/Students/Registration-Reception-Centres
First day of classes for all students is September 4, 2018
Just to put your mind at ease - the cut off for Ontario is 1st September.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e02#BK30
21 (1) Unless excused under this section, (a) every person who attains the age of six years on or before the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in that year until the person attains the age of 18 years; and
(b) every person who attains the age of six years after the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in the next succeeding year until the last school day in June in the year in which the person attains the age of 18 years. 2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1).
Last edited by Siouxie; Jul 27th 2018 at 6:17 am.
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Ajax, Ont
Posts: 277
Re: Schooling in Toronto
My son was 6 when we moved to Ontario (he was 6 in May, we moved in November) and he was put in Grade 1. I actually wanted him to go into Grade 2 because he was in Year 2 in the UK and had already done the Grade 1 work, but it wasn't allowed.
#4
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10
Re: Schooling in Toronto
Was there a noticeable difference between your son and the rest of the class? Did they cover subjects/topics that he had already done? Has it had an effect on him as he’s progressed?
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 10
Re: Schooling in Toronto
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Schoo...egories-Canada
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Schoo...d_Dates-Canada
Most schools return to operating the first day after labour day... so the 1st week of September.
Registration & Reception Centres
First day of classes for all students is September 4, 2018
Just to put your mind at ease - the cut off for Ontario is 1st September.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e02#BK30
21 (1) Unless excused under this section, (a) every person who attains the age of six years on or before the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in that year until the person attains the age of 18 years; and
(b) every person who attains the age of six years after the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in the next succeeding year until the last school day in June in the year in which the person attains the age of 18 years. 2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1).
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Schoo...d_Dates-Canada
Most schools return to operating the first day after labour day... so the 1st week of September.
Registration & Reception Centres
First day of classes for all students is September 4, 2018
Just to put your mind at ease - the cut off for Ontario is 1st September.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e02#BK30
21 (1) Unless excused under this section, (a) every person who attains the age of six years on or before the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in that year until the person attains the age of 18 years; and
(b) every person who attains the age of six years after the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in the next succeeding year until the last school day in June in the year in which the person attains the age of 18 years. 2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1).
#6
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Schooling in Toronto
Ah that’s interesting. I was going to ask about this as our daughter will have done 2 years primary school by then.
Was there a noticeable difference between your son and the rest of the class? Did they cover subjects/topics that he had already done? Has it had an effect on him as he’s progressed?
Schooling here is different - the way they teach, what they learn - it's a 'whole education' not just academic type of thing, rather than like the UK. Making friends when in a new school in a new country - is really important - and going onwards, when they reach High School age and beyond they may be emotionally and physically way behind the other kids in their year - rather than being with their peers.
The recommendation is to keep them with other kids the same age, where ever possible... so they have a chance to integrate socially.
I've found a few threads for you that you may find of use. Do make a cuppa and have a read!
This one is very pertinent: Comparison between UK Primary school year 1 and Canadian Kindergarten
School year to start.
views on UK v Canada school curriculum
Temperary Uk -> Canada move and kids schooling
Advice on Adjusting in Canada in year 1
#7
Re: Schooling in Toronto
In the USA some schools start in the 1st or 2nd week of August and finish in late May.
#8
Re: Schooling in Toronto
Most public school boards start on the 1st Tuesday in September and finish near the end of June. In Ottawa, the French Public School Board starts a week before, so late August and I think they do in Quebec as well.
In the USA some schools start in the 1st or 2nd week of August and finish in late May.
In the USA some schools start in the 1st or 2nd week of August and finish in late May.
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
Posts: 2,031
Re: Schooling in Toronto
It's my understanding and certainly my experience that children start Grade 1 in the September of the year in which they turn 6. However if your child's birthday is after the first day of school (so after first week in September) then parents have the option to delay for a year. I have two children who have been through the he education system in Ontario (Halton region), in both cases all of their classmates were born in the same calendar year (with maybe 1 or 2 exceptions for kids that were late transfers in from either abroad or another province ).
#10
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Schooling in Toronto
It's my understanding and certainly my experience that children start Grade 1 in the September of the year in which they turn 6. However if your child's birthday is after the first day of school (so after first week in September) then parents have the option to delay for a year. I have two children who have been through the he education system in Ontario (Halton region), in both cases all of their classmates were born in the same calendar year (with maybe 1 or 2 exceptions for kids that were late transfers in from either abroad or another province ).
the cut off for Ontario is the 1st school day in September.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e02#BK30
21 (1) Unless excused under this section,
(a) every person who attains the age of six years on or before the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in that year until the person attains the age of 18 years
(b) every person who attains the age of six years after the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in the next succeeding year until the last school day in June in the year in which the person attains the age of 18 years. 2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1).
#11
Re: Schooling in Toronto
Really really don't get hung up on the comparison between what your kid/s have experienced in the UK compared to what they are likely to experience in Canada. For most reasonably educated people, education itself goes on for approximately 17 years. Then you may choose to do even more. The system in Canada works just fine. I would strongly advocate staying broadly within the age parameters of your kids and their friends. It may well be that your kids will find themselves in a 2 grade split, where half (ish) the class are from the grade above or below. This was certainly my kids' experience. Thankfully they were always the younger bit of the split equation so if anything were challenged that little bit more.
#12
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Joined: Feb 2013
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,874
Re: Schooling in Toronto
Really really don't get hung up on the comparison between what your kid/s have experienced in the UK compared to what they are likely to experience in Canada. For most reasonably educated people, education itself goes on for approximately 17 years. Then you may choose to do even more. The system in Canada works just fine. I would strongly advocate staying broadly within the age parameters of your kids and their friends. It may well be that your kids will find themselves in a 2 grade split, where half (ish) the class are from the grade above or below. This was certainly my kids' experience. Thankfully they were always the younger bit of the split equation so if anything were challenged that little bit more.
It will be challenging for him (birthday in March), but the school figured it was the best fit and best teacher for him.
We'll see!
I will also add this .............. OH and I were educated from age 4 to 24 in the UK. Our daughter was educated from age 5 to 28 here ............ there was a big difference in the way she was taught to the extent that we sometimes couldn't help her. Now she is finding that her son is being taught in a very different way from that in which she was taught.
#13
Re: Schooling in Toronto
Yes, the legislation for Ontario Education Act is quite clear.
the cut off for Ontario is the 1st school day in September.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e02#BK30
21 (1) Unless excused under this section,
(a) every person who attains the age of six years on or before the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in that year until the person attains the age of 18 years
(b) every person who attains the age of six years after the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in the next succeeding year until the last school day in June in the year in which the person attains the age of 18 years. 2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1).
the cut off for Ontario is the 1st school day in September.
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90e02#BK30
21 (1) Unless excused under this section,
(a) every person who attains the age of six years on or before the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in that year until the person attains the age of 18 years
(b) every person who attains the age of six years after the first school day in September in any year shall attend an elementary or secondary school on every school day from the first school day in September in the next succeeding year until the last school day in June in the year in which the person attains the age of 18 years. 2006, c. 28, s. 5 (1).
Perhaps the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has a different policy to the Peel, Halton, Hamilton/Wentworth and other boards that I'm more familiar with. But at the very least, if the OP's daughter turns 6 in August, it's abundantly clear that she will be starting Grade 1 in September.
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Ajax, Ont
Posts: 277
Re: Schooling in Toronto
My twins are December born. They were in Reception in the UK when we moved to Canada but were put into the 2nd year of school here because of their year of birth. One of them was okay but the other one struggled for a few years and by Grade 2, we were paying for tutoring to help him keep up with his class. Kids born in September - December start full-day kindergarten at 3 years old as long as they turn 4 by December 31. I don't think it's a great system. 3 is very young for full day school.