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Canada School Age Calculator

Kindergarten eligibility for all provinces and territories

Accurate information for Canadian education systems

Popular Province Requirements

Ontario

Kindergarten Age: 4 years old

Must turn 4 by December 31st of school year

Quebec

Kindergarten Age: 5 years old

Must turn 5 by September 30th

British Columbia

Kindergarten Age: 5 years old

Must turn 5 by December 31st

Alberta

Kindergarten Age: 5 years old

Must turn 5 by December 31st

Calculate for Your Province

Child's Birth Date

Select Province/Territory

Canadian Education System Overview

Early Childhood Education

Pre-Kindergarten (Age 3-4): Optional programs
Kindergarten (Age 4-5): Optional but recommended

Elementary Education

Primary (Grades 1-6): Ages 6-12
Intermediate (Grades 7-8): Ages 13-14

Canada School Enrollment Timeline

1

January - March

Registration opens for following September

2

March - May

Submit required documents and proof of residence

3

June - August

School placement confirmations sent

4

September

Start of new school year across Canada

Canada School FAQs

Is kindergarten mandatory in Canada?

Kindergarten is optional in most provinces but highly recommended. Only Ontario has mandatory kindergarten starting at age 4.

When does the school year start in Canada?

Most provinces start the school year in early September, typically the Tuesday after Labour Day.

What if my child misses the cutoff date?

Children who miss the cutoff date will start school the following year. Some provinces allow early entry with special assessments.

Are French immersion programs available?

Yes, French immersion programs are available in most provinces for students who want bilingual education starting in kindergarten or Grade 1.