One of the first and most important tasks for any newcomer family is enrolling the kids in school. The good news: public education in Canada is free for children and teens, and schools are experienced at welcoming newcomer students. This guide walks you step by step through finding your local school board, the documents you need, how grade placement works, and what English language support looks like — so the first day of school starts calmly and prepared.
This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.
In Canada, education is run by the provinces and territories, not the federal government — so registration details, curriculum, and starting age vary slightly by province. Public school is free from Kindergarten through the end of high school, and attendance is mandatory for children within a set age range (typically around 6 to 16 or 18, depending on the province). Children of permanent residents, many work- or study-permit holders, and refugees are generally entitled to free schooling. Public schools operate in both official languages: most provinces have separate English-language and French-language boards. Check your province's ministry of education website for exact age and attendance rules.
Every residential address in Canada falls under a school board (called a school division or district in some provinces), and each address usually has a designated "catchment school" for each level. Step one is identifying your local board: provincial ministry of education websites (e.g., ontario.ca for Ontario, gov.bc.ca for British Columbia) have board lookup tools, and most boards offer a "School Finder" tool where entering your postal code shows your catchment school. Some provinces also have publicly funded Catholic boards, which are likewise free. If you haven't rented a permanent home yet, don't worry — you can register with a temporary address and transfer schools later if you move. It's also wise to check the catchment school before signing a lease.
هرچند فهرست دقیق مدارک را هر هیئت آموزشی خودش تعیین میکند، معمولاً این موارد خواسته میشود: مدرک هویتی و تاریخ تولد فرزند (شناسنامه یا گذرنامه)، مدرک وضعیت اقامتی شما و فرزند (کارت اقامت دائم، تأییدیه اقامت دائم، مجوز کار یا تحصیل)، مدرک آدرس محل سکونت (قرارداد اجاره یا قبض خدمات)، و سوابق واکسیناسیون. اگر کارنامه یا گزارش تحصیلی از مدرسه قبلی در ایران دارید، حتماً همراه ببرید؛ برای تعیین پایه خیلی کمک میکند. بعضی هیئتها ترجمه رسمی مدارک فارسی را میخواهند، پس از قبل با دفتر ثبتنام تماس بگیرید و فهرست دقیق را بپرسید. ثبتنام معمولاً حضوری در خود مدرسه یا در مرکز ثبتنام مرکزی هیئت انجام میشود و در بسیاری از مناطق، فرم آنلاین هم وجود دارد.
Each school board sets its own exact list, but you'll typically need: proof of your child's identity and birth date (birth certificate or passport), proof of your and your child's immigration status (PR card, confirmation of permanent residence, work or study permit), proof of address (lease agreement or utility bill), and immunization records. If you have report cards or transcripts from your child's previous school in Iran, bring them — they help greatly with grade placement. Some boards require certified translations of Farsi documents, so call the registration office in advance and ask for the exact list. Registration is usually done in person at the school or a central board registration centre, and many boards also offer online forms.
In Canada, grade placement is based primarily on the student's age, not just prior records — your child will usually be placed with peers their own age. This is intentional: educational research shows that being with age peers supports social adjustment and language learning. For high school students, the school or the board's assessment centre typically runs a math and English assessment to determine course levels and transferable credits. If you believe your child is ahead of or behind the suggested grade in a subject, raise it with the principal; schools are flexible and can build individual plans. A key note for teens: Canadian high schools use a credit system different from Iran's, so bring secondary-school transcripts to maximize the credits recognized.
If your child doesn't speak fluent English yet, don't worry — it's the most common situation among newcomer students. Most schools offer ESL or ELL (English Language Learning) programs where students attend regular classes while receiving dedicated language support. Many large school boards run Newcomer Welcome (Reception) Centres that provide initial language and math assessment, referral to the right school, and sometimes free interpreters — Farsi interpreters are often available in larger cities. Beyond the school itself, IRCC-funded settlement programs such as Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) help families communicate with schools. Use IRCC's newcomer services search tool to find the nearest centre. Experience shows kids usually pick up the language much faster than their parents — give your child time and reassurance.
The Canadian school year typically runs from early September to late June, with a roughly two-week winter break in December/January and a one-week March Break — each board publishes exact dates on its website every year. The school day usually runs from about 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 or 3:30 p.m., and students bring lunch from home or buy it at the cafeteria in high school. Throughout the year there are several "PA Days" (professional activity days) when school is closed for students — mark these on your family calendar, as you'll need childcare plans. You can register at any time of year — don't wait for September; kids can join mid-year. For transportation, free school busing is provided if you live beyond the board's set distance from the school; check your board's transportation website for eligibility.
Key takeaways
مدرسه دولتی در کانادا رایگان است و هر آدرس، یک هیئت آموزشی و مدرسه محله مشخص دارد — با کد پستی در ابزار School Finder جستوجو کنید.
مدارک اصلی: هویت و تاریخ تولد فرزند، وضعیت اقامتی، مدرک آدرس و سوابق واکسیناسیون؛ کارنامههای ایران را هم ترجمهشده همراه ببرید.
پایه تحصیلی عمدتاً بر اساس سن تعیین میشود و دانشآموزان دبیرستانی ارزیابی زبان و ریاضی میدهند.
ESL support and newcomer welcome centres are free, and you can register at any point in the school year.