Our Education System

Our Students, Our Future

Foreword

This publication explains the ABCs of the school system in Alberta: its goals, various levels of responsibility, funding, public and private schooling, academic core and optional programs, home education, testing, high school diploma requirements, programs for students with special needs, and programs for students from other countries. It also covers such basics as school entrance age, the length of the school year, holidays, school fees and bussing.

This guide is useful for parents, providing them with the information they may need to make the best educational choices for their children. Alberta today offers more schooling options than ever before. The opportunity for choice reflects the Alberta government’s commitment to quality education — the solid foundation every child needs to learn, grow and succeed.

Our Students, our future is intended to serve as a general introduction to education in Alberta from kindergarten to grade 12. More detailed information on specific areas or programs can be obtained from other, complementary resources published by Alberta Learning.

Quick Facts: Alberta Profile

The province’s population of three million is:

  • one of the youngest in the world; one half of its people are under 30 years of age;
  • made up of many ethnic groups, adding a rich, multicultural diversity to the province;
  • well-educated with more people per capita having university degrees than any other province in Canada.

>> Click on a topic in the Section Navigation on the right, or use the menu on the left to view additional topics. Right arrows indicate additional content within that topic.

Table of Contents:

I. Alberta's Commitment
Universal Public Education; Key Principles

II. Partners in Education
Roles and Responsibilities

III. Fair and Equitable Funding
Education Property Taxes

IV. Opportunities for Choice in Education
Public Education System; Private Schools; Board Responsibilities and Parent Choice

V: Out-of-Province Students
Transfers from Other Provinces and Countries; International Students

VI: A Solid Foundation
Provincial Co-operation; Basic Programs; The School Year; Other Programs; Students with Special Needs

VII: Preparing Students for the Future
Technology Learning; Career and Technology Studies (CTS); Off-Campus Education; Outreach Programs

VIII: Meeting High Standards
High School Graduation requirements; Diploma Exams; Provincial Achievement Tests; Report Cards; National & International Achievement Testing

IX: Quality Teaching
Standards; Requirements

Last reviewed September 2007

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