Canadian Public Schools – Options & Advantages

Canadian Public Schools:Options & Advantages

ICEF Toronto – May 2013

Bonnie McKie, Executive Director

About CAPS-I•CAPS-I is a national non-profit association of public school boards* with international education programs that adhere to common Standards of Practice.

•CAPS-I was formally established in 2007 and is recognized as the 'voice' of the public K-12 sector by federal, provincial and territorial governments.

•CAPS-I members are eligible to use Canada’s ‘Imagine’ brand.

•An elected Executive Committee of 6 representatives from coast to coast provide leadership for the organization and are supported by an Executive Director.

•CAPS-I represents 90 public school boards in 9 provinces

* may also be referred to as districts or divisions

32 Members

16 Members

3 Members7 Members

ABSK

MBON QC

NS

BC

YKNWT NT

NB

NL

PEI

22 Members5 Members

2 Members*

2 Members

1 Member*

Distribution of Membership2012-2013

* = provincially organized

Standards of PracticeAll members must comply with CAPS-I’s Standards of Practice in the following 4 areas:

1)Care & Support of Students2)Homestay Screening & Selection3)Homestay Monitoring & Support4)Working with Agents/Partners

Associate members are given 1 year to develop their programs to comply with CAPS-I’s Standards of Practice.

CAPS-I: Your Assurance of Quality and Integrity!

International Enrolment & Capacity

•In 2012/2013, approx. 20,000 international students are studying for 1 semester (5 months) or longer in Canadian public schools.

•A similar number of international students come from around the globe each year to participate in shorter term programs varying from a few weeks to a few months.

•More than 500 public schools in Canada currently accept international students.

Program Options•Long term programs (Sept. – June) or 1 semester (Sept. – Jan. or Feb. – June) *note the school year may begin in August and 2nd semester may begin at the end of January

•Short term programs

•Teacher training programs

•Off shore programs/schools

•In September 2013, 27 public school districts welcomed more than 400 students on scholarship for 1 semester from the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. In September 2014, this number will increase to 600 students coming to Canadian high schools on scholarship from Pernambuco

The Canadian Advantage

Something for Every Student…Students can choose:

• to live in an urban, suburban or rural area

• to experience Canada in a city of more than 1 million people or in a smaller community

• to attend a large school or a small school and grade configuration

• from a variety of landscapes – ocean-side, mountain, prairie region or lake-country

• a more mild climate or to embrace and enjoy winter fun/activities

Why Choose A Public School…•Over 95% of Canadian parents enrol their children in public schools

•Provincial government-accredited with government-certified teachers

•30 years of experience educating/hosting international students

•Competitively-priced tuition fees ($9,000 – 14,000 CAD/year)

•International students integrated into classes with Canadian students

•A limited number of international students in each school

•Large & small school communities with regulated class sizes

•Comprehensive ‘circle’ of care and support

Public School Educational Choices• English or French educational program (6 French)

• Faith-based educational program (10 Catholic)

• Specialized science programs (pre-engineering, oceanography)

• Elite fine arts programs (dance, drama, visual arts, music)

• Elite sports academies (hockey, soccer, golf, volleyball, baseball)

• International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP) and Honours courses

• One-to-one technology programs (all students required to bring laptop to all classes)

• Uniform dress code

• Distributed learning - any time, any place, any path, any pace

Optional Course Selection•2nd Languages (French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Japanese, Ukrainian)

•Computer Animation / Digital Media & Web Design

•Cosmetology (hair/make-up design) / Fashion Design

•Entrepreneurship / Law / Marketing / Accounting / Tourism / Financial Management

•Robotics / Aviation

•Culinary (chef training)

•Art / Drama / Band / Film studies / Photography

•Eco-Adventure / Outdoor Exploration

•Automotive / Metalwork / Woodwork / Construction Technology

Comparing Canada Academically…•In 2009, PISA tested Grade 10 students from 65 countries around the globe and Canada ranked 6th on the Reading Scale with New Zealand ranked 7th, Australia 8th, US tied in 14th and the UK tied 19th.

•On the Science Scale, Canada ranked 8th with New Zealand ahead at 7th, Australia 10th, UK tied for 14th and the US 19th.

•Canada ranked 10th on the Math Scale with New Zealand 13th, Australia 15th, UK 28th and the US tied for 30th.

(2012 PISA Results Not Yet Available)

Transitions• Co-validation/re-validation of transcripts when returning home

• Provincial high school graduation diplomas are recognized around the globe

• Direct pathway to post-secondary institutions

• Canadian post-secondary schools visit local high schools to promote their programs to international high school students

• CAPS-I member schools work with post-secondary institutions to ensure a successful transition for international students

Why Choose Homestay Living…•The majority* of public school international students live with Canadian host families

•Host families are carefully screened prior to selection

•Students and families are carefully matched to ensure a happy/healthy arrangement

•Families care for, support and nurture these minor students as if they were their own

•Competitively-priced fees for a high standard of living ($600 – 900 CAD/month)

•Host families are provided an ‘allowance’ to help offset expenses incurred

•Homestay Coordinators are available 24/7 to provide assistance as necessary

* Some international students may live in a dormitory offered by 1 school district or chose to/are required to live with family or friends

Host Family LifeInternational students truly become a part of their Canadian family

Extra-curricular Activities & Clubs•Leadership

•Environmental

•Visual & performing arts – dance, choir, band, drama/acting, photography, ceramics

•Athletics – basketball, volleyball, soccer, badminton, tennis, swimming, fencing, hand ball,

football, golf, skiing, snowboarding, track/field, rugby, lacrosse, curling, wrestling, karate,

taekwondo, water polo, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking

Favourite Activities/Experiences

Winter Fun

Promotional & Reference Materials Posters Guidebooks

100+ pages with 1 page profiles of all members in Korean, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese & Spanish

www.caps-i.ca

•Offered in 9 languages (English, French, German, Korean, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese) – Turkish coming soon!

•See ‘List of Member Schools’ for electronic profiles of all member programs including tuition fee and contact information

•User-friendly search functionality to narrow a query by language, program type, location, region, etc…

Thank you!For more information about CAPS-I

or CAPS-I member programs, contact:

Bonnie McKie, Executive Director

Email: [email protected]

www.caps-i.ca