Primary and secondary school
Permanent residents’ children attend public schools free in their school district. Some districts offer French immersion and International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes.
University
| Permanent resident | International student | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Domestic | International |
| Tuition | Domestic fees | Generally far higher |
| Government student aid | Available | Generally not |
During entrepreneur programmes
While you run a business in Canada on a work permit, children can generally attend public school under provincial rules, without waiting for permanent residence.
Choosing a district
- School rankings and programmes, such as IB or French immersion.
- Where you live: public schools are generally assigned by address.
- Community: transport, activities and local communities.
Timing
| Child’s stage | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Primary school | The easiest time to adapt |
| Before secondary school | An ideal time to move |
| Preparing for university | Aim for PR before applying, to pay domestic fees |
Our support
GI Group’s education team can help choose districts, schools and universities, in step with your immigration timeline.
