Are there free schools for newcomers?

For many families moving to Canada, particularly to Calgary, the issue of children's education is a priority. This is especially true for newcomers who want to provide their children with a quality education without unnecessary financial burden. In this article, we will take a closer look at whether there are free schools for newcomers in Calgary, what support programs are available, the specifics of public and private education, and how children are integrated into the Canadian education system.

1. Calgary public schools: free education for newcomers

In Canada, education in public schools is free for children who have the appropriate legal status - Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and newcomers with residence permits or other legal documents. This means that most newcomer families can enroll their children in public school for free.

Main features of state education for newcomers:

  • **Education takes place from kindergarten to 12th grade.
  • ESL (English as a Second Language) programs:** special English language courses for children who do not speak the language at a sufficient level. It helps to quickly adapt to learning.
  • Transition Support:** Schools have resources to help newcomers, including psychological support and extracurricular activities.
  • Free educational materials and extracurricular programs.

2. Support and integration programs for newcomers

There are specialized centers and organizations in Calgary that help newcomer families adapt to the Canadian education system:

  • Centre for Newcomers: provides counseling, helps with school registration, and organizes language courses and cultural events.
  • Global Village Calgary offers scholarships and English language courses for newly arrived Ukrainians, which helps children and adults to adapt quickly.
  • Calgary Local Immigration Partnership (CLIP) coordinates support for newcomers through the involvement of community organizations and schools. The governments of Alberta and Canada allocate significant funds to support Ukrainian refugees and newcomers, including free education and language support.

3. Private schools: a paid alternative with additional opportunities

Although public schools are free of charge, some families choose private schools because of their features:

  • **Smaller classes and individualized approach.
  • Developed material and technical base:** gyms, swimming pools, additional clubs.
  • International programs and bilingual education.
  • Boarding type of education:** the possibility of living on the school premises. Private schools in Canada have a high reputation, but tuition there costs from 10 to 40 thousand Canadian dollars per year, which is not affordable for all families.

4. How to register a child in a Calgary free school?

Registration steps:

  1. Determining the area of residence: Children are enrolled in schools that serve their residential area.
  2. Prepare documents:** child's passport, parental documents, proof of address, birth certificate, medical certificates.
  3. Apply to the local school board:** Calgary Board of Education (CBE) or Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD).
  4. taking an ESL test to determine your English language level.
  5. signing an agreement and starting school.

5. Features of education for Ukrainian children in Calgary

  • Calgary has support programs for Ukrainian children, including classes in the Ukrainian language and culture.
  • There are communities of Ukrainian families that help them adapt.
  • Children receive support in learning English, which is key to successful integration.

6. Useful resources for newly arrived families

Conclusion

Calgary's free public schools are open to newcomers and provide a quality education with adaptation support, including ESL programs. There is a wide range of resources and programs to help Ukrainian families integrate into the Canadian education system. Private schools are also available, but they are paid and have their own characteristics. When planning your child's education, you should prepare documents in advance, contact the school board and take advantage of support programs to ensure a comfortable and successful start in a new environment.