Enrolling Your Child in School in Ontario: Questions and Answers

What is School Enrollment?

School Enrollment is the process of registering a child in a public or private school. During enrollment, the school verifies documents, determines the student's grade, and organizes language testing if necessary.

Who is required to attend school in Ontario?

In Ontario, children of school age are required to attend school according to provincial legislation.

When should you enroll your child in school?

You can enroll your child right after moving to Ontario. There is no need to wait for the beginning of the new school year — many schools accept students throughout the year.

Where to go to enroll in a public school?

First, you should contact the school board that oversees the schools in your area.

What is a School Board?

The School Board is the organization that manages public schools in a specific area. The school board determines which school the child will be enrolled in.

How to find out which school corresponds to your address?

The school board identifies the school based on the family's residence address. You can use the school search service or contact the School Board directly.

Can you choose any public school?

Not always. Generally, the child attends the school designated for their residential area.

Can you enroll your child in a different school?

In some cases, this is possible, but the decision depends on the school board, the availability of spaces, and existing regulations.

What documents are needed for school enrollment?

Typically, the following documents are required:

- a document proving the child's identity;
- confirmation of date of birth;
- proof of residence address;
- documents confirming immigration status;
- vaccination information (if required).

Is proof of residence address required?

Yes. To enroll a child in a public school, a document confirming the family's residence in the school's service area is usually required.

Is a birth certificate required?

Yes. The school usually requests a document confirming the child's age.

Is a passport required?

Depending on the situation, the school may request a passport or another identification document for the child.

Is it necessary to confirm immigration status?

Yes. The school or school board may request documents to confirm the family's right to reside in Canada.

Is vaccination information required?

Yes. In many cases, you will need to provide vaccination information for the child according to the requirements of the Ontario healthcare system.

What to do if the documents are not in English?

The school board may request translations of the documents or additional information.

Determining the Grade

How is the grade for the child determined?

Typically, the child's age, previous learning experience, and assessment results, if conducted, are taken into account.

Can the child be placed in a different grade?

Yes. In some cases, the school may recommend a different grade based on the student's preparation level.

Is a report card or school transcript required?

If documents about previous schooling are available, it is recommended to provide them to the school.

What to do if there are no school documents?

The school board will conduct an additional assessment of knowledge and help determine the appropriate grade.

English Language

What to do if the child does not know English?

Not knowing English is not a barrier to enrolling in a public school.

Is there an English language assessment?

Yes. Many school boards conduct assessments of English language proficiency.

Why is language assessment conducted?

The assessment helps determine what additional language support the student may need.

What is ESL?

ESL (English as a Second Language) is a support program for students whose first language is not English.

Can the child attend school and ESL at the same time?

Yes. The ESL program runs parallel to regular schooling.

Does the child need to have a good knowledge of English before enrolling?

No. Public schools accept children regardless of their level of English proficiency.

Educational Process

Is education in public schools free?

Yes. Public schools are funded by the province, and education for eligible students is free.

Do you need to buy textbooks?

In most cases, the school provides the main educational materials.

Do you need to purchase school uniforms?

This depends on the school. Most public schools in Ontario do not require uniforms, although specific schools may have their own rules.

When does the school year start?

Typically, the school year starts in September and ends in June.

Can you start studying in the middle of the school year?

Yes. Public schools accept new students throughout the school year.

Can you transfer your child from one school to another?

Yes. Such a transfer is possible if the regulations of the school board are followed.

Parents

Do parents need to know English to enroll their child?

No. Not knowing English does not deprive the child of the right to education.

Can a translator come with you?

Yes. If necessary, parents can use the help of a translator.

Do both parents need to be present?

Usually, one parent or legal guardian's presence is enough.

Can you enroll your child online?

Some school boards allow online registration to start, but the final procedure depends on the specific School Board.

New Immigrants

Can new immigrants enroll their child in a public school?

Yes. Families who have moved to Ontario can contact the school board for their child's registration.

What to do after moving to a new area?

When changing addresses, it may be necessary to transfer the child to a school in the new service area.

What to do if the child is having difficulty adjusting?

Parents can discuss the situation with teachers, school administration, or specialists who help new students adapt.

What is a Welcome Centre?

Many school boards have Welcome Centres — centers that assist new families in the registration process, language level assessment, and preparation for the start of school.

How long does it take to enroll in school?

The duration depends on the school board and the completeness of the submitted documents. After completing the registration, the family will be informed of the start date of the schooling.

Can a child start school immediately after registration?

In many cases, yes. Once all the necessary procedures are completed, the school will provide the date for the student's start of classes.

Is there a fee for registering in a public school?

No. Registration in a public school for eligible students is free.

What to do if you don't know where to start?

The first step is to determine the school board for your residence address and contact them for instructions on how to register your child.

Popular Terms:

School Board — the school board managing public schools in the area.
School Enrollment — the process of enrolling a child in school.
ESL (English as a Second Language) — a program for studying the English language for new students.
Welcome Centre — a centre for registration and assessment of new students in some school boards.
Catchment Area — the area served by a specific public school.