Canadian curriculum: A parent's guide

Curriculum guide

Canadian curriculum

Canadian international schools follow provincial Canadian curricula (most commonly Ontario, British Columbia or Alberta), leading to a Canadian high school diploma at 18. The diploma is well-regarded internationally and pairs naturally with university applications to Canada, the US and the UK.

Grades K–8

Elementary

Provincially-set curriculum for kindergarten through Grade 8. Balanced coverage of core subjects with a growing focus on inquiry and digital literacy.

Grades 9–12

Secondary

Credit-based high school. Students accumulate ~30 credits (varies by province), with Ontario requiring community service hours and the OSSLT literacy test. Grade 12 marks feed university admissions.

Canadian

Which provincial curriculum?

Most Canadian international schools follow Ontario or British Columbia — both are accredited by their provincial ministries and produce a diploma equivalent to one earned in Canada. Schools usually advertise which province they follow; this matters most for families planning a return to that province.

Is Canadian right for your child?

It tends to suit families who…

•Are moving to Canada or have Canadian ties
•Are applying to Canadian, US or UK universities
•Want a broad, credit-based high school system

It may be less ideal if…

•You need a globally standardised qualification (IB is more portable)
•You're targeting continental European universities

Common questions

FAQs about the Canadian curriculum

Is the Canadian diploma accepted at UK universities? +

Yes. UK universities accept the Canadian high school diploma, usually with conditional offers based on Grade 12 averages (e.g. 85%+ for competitive courses).

How does the Canadian curriculum compare to IB? +

Canadian provincial curricula are broader and less standardised than IB. IB is internationally consistent; Canadian diplomas vary by province but are well-regarded for North American university entry.

Understanding international school curricula