The education system in Canada is designed to accommodate the diversity of culture and ethnicity. English as a Second Language classes (ESL) are available in many elementary and secondary schools in order to help new immigrants to become more proficient in English.

In some provinces, children can enter kindergarten at the age of four before starting the elementary grades at age six. The elementary curriculum emphasizes the basic subjects of language, math, social studies, arts and science.

Public education in Canada is free up to and including secondary school. The law requires children to attend school from the age of 6 or 7 until they are 15 or 16 years old. In Quebec, free education is extended to include attendance at the general and vocational colleges (CEGEPs), which charge only a small registration fee. The student pays tuition for most other post-secondary education. In general, secondary school programs consist of two streams. The first prepares students for university, the second for post-secondary education at a community college or institute of technology, or for the workplace. University entrance thus depends on course selection and marks in high school and the requirements vary from province to province.

Canada has two streams for post-secondary education - community colleges and universities. Both of the streams have their certain terms and conditions in regards to the admission of foreign students in Canada. Two of the top ten universities around the world are located in Canada. Many universities and colleges offer both full and part-time adult education for new comers and working people.

Canada gives especially high priority to post-secondary education, which has proven to be vital for a knowledge-based economy. Canada has devoted lots of resources to funding of education. About 8% of Canada's GDP is spent on education. Canada is among the leaders in expenditures for enrolment in post-secondary institutions. More than a quarter of the Canadian working population has a university or college degree and approximately one half are high school graduates.

The federal government, through its Canada Student Loans Program (CSL), assists students who do not have sufficient resources to pursue their studies. It provides loan guarantees and interest subsidies to help meet the cost of studies at the post-secondary level. Provinces also have complementary programs of loan (PSL).

Other Schools For parents seeking alternatives to the public system, there are separate as well as private schools. Provincial legislation permits the establishment of separate schools by religious groups.