THE SCHOOL SYSTEM
The school system in Ontario has two levels:
- Elementary Schools offer kindergarten programs and programs for Grade 1 – Grade 8.
- Secondary Schools are often called “High Schools” and provide programs for Grade 9 – Grade 12. These schools sometimes include “Junior High Schools” in the same building, and provide programs for Grade 7 – Grade 12.
Parents in Leeds Grenville have a number of options about the types of schools their children attend. They can choose to enroll their children in either public (non-religious) or Catholic elementary and secondary schools. Children ages 4 to 17 attend school for free in the province of Ontario. Most children start in kindergarten at age 4 or 5. According to Ontario law, children ages 6 to 17 must attend school. Children must attend a school in the same area in which they live. There are 3 different school boards in Leeds Grenville:
Public School Board
The Upper Canada District School Board (www.ucdsb.on.ca) offers public education from kindergarten to Grade 12 in Leeds Grenville. Registration in this school board is open to all children.
To find out which school your child should be attending visit tracs.ucdsb.on.ca/seeker/.
Upper Canada District School Board
225 Central Avenue West
Brockville, ON K6V 5X1
Toll-free phone number: 1-800-267-7131
Catholic School Board
The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (www.cdsbeo.on.ca) offers public education from kindergarten to Grade 12 in Leeds Grenville. You can register your children with this school board, with the following restrictions:
• From kindergarten to Grade 8, children must be baptized in the Catholic faith or must have one parent who is Catholic
• From Grade 9 to 12, all children can enroll regardless of religion.
To find out which Catholic school your child should be attending visit www.cdsbeo.on.ca/School_Info/school_directory.htm.
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
Box 2222, 2755 Highway 43
Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0
Toll-free phone number: 1-800-443-4562
French Catholic School Board
The Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) offers public education, in French, from kindergarten to Grade 12 in Leeds Grenville. Registration in this school board is subject to some restrictions.
There are two Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE) schools in Leeds Grenville – one in Brockville, and one in Merrickville. To learn about registering your child with this school board, visit www.ecolecatholique.ca/en.
Conseil des ecoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE)
4000 Labelle Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1J 1A1
Toll-free phone number: 1-888-230-5131
Private Schools
In Ontario, private schools operate as businesses or non-profit organizations independently of the Ministry of Edu- cation and in accordance with the legal requirements established by the government.
There are two private schools in Leeds Grenville – one in Prescott and one in new Dublin, north of Brockville. Information on a particular school’s educational program, business practices and other policies should be obtained from the school directly, prior to registration.
St. Lawrence Academy: Visit stlawrenceacademy.ca for more information.
Heritage Community Christian School: Visit www.hccs.ca for more information.
Children’s Education
Newcomer’s Guide to (Children’s) Education in Ontario
Newcomer’s Guide to Education in Ontario has information about how to help your children in school. They have information about registering your child in school, school policies, what students learn, and how students are graded.
Information on elementary schools can be found at: http://settlement.org/ontario/education/elementary-and-secondary-school/newcomers-guides-to-education/the-newcomer-s-guide-to-elementary-school-in-ontario/
Information on secondary schools can be found at:
http://settlement.org/ontario/education/elementary-and-secondary-school/newcomers-guides-to-education/the-newcomer-s-guide-to-secondary-school-in-ontario/
Ontario has passed legislation that mandates children be vaccinated in order to attend school. The Ontario legislation, in place since 1982, is quite extensive and requires school children to be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis (Whooping cough), measles, rubella, mumps, varicella (chicken pox) and meningococcal disease.
For information about the Ontario’s Immunization Strategy contact the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Phone: (613) 345-5685
Provincial information can be found at: www.ontario.ca/page/vaccines
Adult and Post Secondary Education
Costs and Financial Assistance
It is important to start saving for post-secondary education as soon as possible. There are many costs associated with university or college including tuition, books and living expenses. The Government of Canada programs listed below can help.
Canadian Education Savings Grants (CESGs) (For children aged 17 or younger) and Canada Learning Bonds (For children aged 15 or younger).
One of the best ways to save for a child’s post-secondary education is through a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). Whether you want to save for your own children, your grandchildren, a niece, nephew, or family friend, an RESP offers flexibility, tax-deferred investment growth and direct government assistance to help you save for a child’s education.
• Interest income and investment growth earned within an RESP are not taxed as long as the funds remain in the plan.
• The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) matches 20% on the first $2,500 contributed annually to a maxi- mum of $500 a year ($7,200 overall) for a child under the age of 18, plus possible catch-up grants.
Grants and Student Loans
Many students depend on financial assistance programs to cover the costs associated with post-secondary education. You can find a useful tool to help you calculate the cost of post-secondary education at www.canlearn.ca.
Generally speaking, there are two types of financial assistance for students: (1) “student loans,” which have to be repaid and (2) “grants,” “scholarships” or “bursaries,” which do not have to be repaid. Both the federal government and the Ontario government have financial assistance programs that provide low cost loans, grants and scholarships for students. You can find information on federal student assistance by calling the National Student Loans Service Centre at 1-888-815-4514 or by visiting a Service Canada Centre. For information on the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) call 1-200-387-5514 or visit www.osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal.
Reference: www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/welcome.pdf
Adult Continuing Education
For adults who have not completed elementary or secondary education, TR Leger School of Adult and Continuing Education provides educational services to young people over the age of 19.
Brockville Campus: 613-342-1127, Gananoque Campus: 613-382-5285, Prescott Campus: 613-925-1834.
Post-Secondary Education
To learn about different programs of study offered at Canadian universities, colleges and Institutes, visit www.educationincanada.ca or go to www.cicic.ca.
Locally, St. Lawrence College has campuses in Brockville, Kingston and Cornwall. They deliver more than 80 programs, including Business, Technology, Health Sciences, Nursing and ESL (English as a Second Language).
St. Lawrence College
2288 Parkdale Avenue Brockville, ON K6V 5X3
613-345-0660
www.stlawrencecollege.ca
There are also colleges and universities in cities near Leeds Grenville including Ottawa, Kingston and Montreal. On- line and distance education are options for people to study at university or college.
Canadian Virtual University is an association of Canada’s leading universities specializing in online and distance education. Together, these universities offer more than 350 degrees, diploma and certificates completely online and through distance education. These programs are available to students anywhere in the world.
Visit: www.cvu-uvc.ca or call 780-421-2540.