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Every year, people from all over the world choose Alberta as an ideal place to study, work and live.
Alberta's high standard of living, diverse and welcoming communities, and beautiful landscapes make it a great place to call home.
More than 2000 international students attend schools in Alberta each year. Arriving from over 70 different countries, these students attend classes alongside local Alberta Students. There are approximately 672,000 Kindergarten to Grade 12 students in Alberta.
One of Alberta government's top priorities is providing Alberta's students with a high quality education.
Take the time to explore all that Alberta has to offer you. Visit Travel Alberta for more travel and tourism information.
The catalogue offers brief overviews of the school divisions that offer programming for international students.
How old do I have to be to study in Alberta?
In Alberta, most high school students are between 14 and 18 years old. Students must be less than 20 years old as of September 1 of the school year to study in an Alberta high school.
School authorities may accept younger students in elementary and junior high school.
Please contact school authorities for more information.
What courses can I take?
As an international student you will have three different types of classes:
1. Required classes
To graduate, all students must study the following subjects:
2. Optional classes
The availability of optional classes varies from school to school. Optional courses may include the following:
3. English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
Students who require English language support are generally enrolled in ESL classes, which helps students adjust to English as well as to the cultural values, customs and social expectations that they will encounter while in Alberta. ESL programs vary from school to school and from authority to authority.
Do I get to choose my classes or are they chosen for me?
School administrators will help you in making the best personal and educational choices. They will work with you to arrange your class schedule when you arrive at your school.
To determine which classes would be most appropriate, school administrators consider:
Will I receive credit for courses taken in my home country?
School administrators will examine your transcripts. They will identify which courses can be credited in Alberta.
Do international students take the same classes as Canadian students?
Yes. Most of your classes, except for English as a Second Language (ESL), will be with Canadian students. Even in regular classes, teachers understand that you may be an English language learner.
How can I receive an Alberta High School diploma?
To get a basic High School diploma in Alberta you must accumulate 100 credits including the following:
English Language Arts – 30 Level (English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2)
Social Studies – 30 Level (Social Studies 30-1 or 30-2)
Mathematics – 20 Level (Mathematics 20-1, Mathematics 20-2 or Mathematics 20-3)
Science – 20 Level (Science 20, Science 24, Biology 20, Chemistry 20 or Physics 20)
Physical Education 10
Career and Life Management
10 credits in any combination from:
Career and Technology Studies (CTS) courses
Fine Arts courses
Second Languages courses
Physical Education 20 and/or 30
Knowledge and Employability courses
Registered Apprenticeship Program courses
locally developed/acquired and authorized courses in CTS, fine arts, second languages or Knowledge and Employability occupational courses
10 credits in any 30-level course (in addition to a 30-level English Language Arts and a 30-level social studies course as specified above)
30-level locally developed/acquired and authorized courses
Advanced level (3000 series) in Career and Technology Studies courses
30-level Work Experience courses
30-level Knowledge and Employability courses
30-level Registered Apprenticeship Program courses
30-level Green Certificate Specialization courses
Special Projects 30
For further details, please refer to Graduation requirements, credentials and credits.
How long does it take to get an Alberta High School diploma?
It depends on a variety of things, including your level of English when you arrive in Alberta and courses you took in your home country.
In most cases, if you require English as a Second Language (ESL) support, it could take you longer to get the Alberta High School diploma than for a Canadian-born student. Many students take at least four years.
Will an Alberta High School diploma help me get into a good university?
The Alberta High School diploma is a symbol of a high quality education. If you have an Alberta diploma and maintain a good academic standing, you will be able to apply to most post-secondary institutions in Canada and the United States.
If you receive 75% or higher in English 30-1, you will not be required to write the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam to enter Canadian post-secondary institutions.
What do I bring?
Start with any official documents you might need at the border, or when you arrive at your school to begin your studies. It's also important to plan for Alberta's weather.
Alberta has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter:
If you are arriving in fall or winter, you might want to bring the following items:
If you need to buy any clothing items, it is best to wait until you arrive in Canada.
If I already graduated from high school in my home country, can I apply to study in an Alberta high school?
School authorities may accept a student who graduated from high school in his or her home country, and who is still less than 20 years old.
Contact the school authority for more information.
Connect with International Education Services:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-2035
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Main Floor, 44 Capital Boulevard
10044 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5E6
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