Canada has a strong and well-funded system of public education, largely managed provincially. Consequently, some aspects of the education system can vary between provinces. However, as education is overseen by the federal government, the standard of education remains consistently high throughout the country.

There is both a public and private education system in Canada. The Canadian government heavily subsidizes education from kindergarten through to the post-secondary level, spending on average almost six percent of its GDP on education. This means Canada spends proportionately more on education than the average among OECD countries.

Generally speaking, the education system is divided into three levels:

• Primary
• Secondary
• Post-secondary

Private education and other schooling systems — for example, religious schools — are also available at all three levels. 

Private education and other schooling systems — for example, religious schools — are also available at all three levels. 

Education in Canada is available to children the year they turn five (except in Ontario and Quebec, where children may start a year earlier). Depending on the province, kindergarten may be optional. The table below shows, generally speaking, the ages between which children are required to attend school (note that requirements may differ for homeschooling, which is legal across Canada).

Province	Age of compulsory education
Alberta	Six to 16
British Columbia	Six to 16
Manitoba	Seven to 18
New Brunswick	Five to 18
Newfoundland	Six to 16
Northwest Territories	Five to 18
Nova Scotia	Five to 16
Ontario	Six to 18
Prince Edward Island	Five to 16
Quebec	Six to 16
Saskatchewan	Seven to 16
Yukon	Six to 16

Primary Education

Also known as elementary school, this level runs from Kindergarten or Grade 1 (ages six to seven) and runs through to Grade 8 (ages 13 to 14). The school year normally runs from September through to the following June. 

Secondary Education

Also known as high school, this level runs from Grade 9 (ages 14 to 15) to Grade 12 (ages 17 to 18). Ontario has a Grade 12+. In Quebec, students attend high school until the age of 16. They may then proceed to CEGEP, a publicly-funded two-year college where students may pursue either a university preparation diploma, or a vocational diploma.

Post-secondary Education

Canada has a wide network of colleges and universities, offering some of the best post-secondary education worldwide.