Registering your Child in School
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Canadian Public School District like?
How much do schools cost for children in Newfoundland?
How do I register my child in a school?
What documents are needed to register my child into a school?
Which school will my child attend?
Is there a school bus service for my child’s school?
Is there a Francophone school in St John’s?
When can my child start Kindergarten?
What is the early French Immersion Program?
What is the Canadian Public School District like?
The school year for children typically runs from September to June, with children starting school at age 4 or 5 depending on their birth date. Classes usually run from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm.
There are three levels in the Canadian Public School System. Students are placed in grades depending on their age.
- Elementary School: Kindergarten to Grade 6 (age 5-12);
- Junior High School: Grades 7 – 9 (age 13-15);
- Senior High School: Grades 10 – 12 (age 16-18).
Schools within St. John's are represented by the Newfoundland and Labrador Schools, which serves all English-speaking students and schools in Newfoundland and Labrador. St. John's schools are under the Avalon Office's administration. For more information click here.
How much do schools cost for children in Newfoundland?
Public schools are funded by the federal government and administered by the provincial government. International students who hold valid study permit do not have to pay for their children to attend publicly funded schools. There are also private schools that parents must pay for their children to attend.
The school will give you a list of school supplies that you will be responsible to shop for. If you need financial support in purchasing all these supplies, please notify the school (the teacher might have some extra supplies). Some schools may also require a small fee for field trips and extracurricular activities to be paid throughout the year, but this is not standard across the district.
How do I register my child in a school?
In order to enroll your child in a particular school, you must live within that school's service area (or catchment). To find out what catchment you live in click here.
- To enroll your child you need to contact the NL Schools directly at 709-758-2372 or email nlise@nlschools.ca to obtain a letter of acceptance for your child to attend school. You will need to forward your study visa and confirmation of enrollment with Memorial University prior to receiving the letter of acceptance. Please provide details on your child (such as full name, date of birth, grade level, start date, local address and school that you anticipate them attending)
- After you obtain a letter of acceptance from NL Schools for your child, you can contact your child's school to arrange an interview with the school principal. Please bring the documents listed below with you to your interview.
What documents are needed to register my child into a school?
- Letter of Acceptance from NL Schools;
- A copy of your valid passport and a valid study permit;
- Your letter of confirmation from Memorial University;
- Children's passport and visa;
- Birth Certificate;
- Children’s school records;
- Medical information and immunization documents (vaccination documents) for your children;
- Proof of address (copy of a bank statement, telephone bill or lease/rental agreement with your name and address);
- MCP card or other insurance types you have for your family members (this item can be supplemented later).
Notes: any documents not in English must be translated and notarized to English.
Which school will my child attend?
Children normally attend their local school in their catchment area. To find out which school is in the catchment area (close to your home) click here.
Is there a school bus service with my child’s school?
Not all schools have a school bus service. To see if your child’s school offers this service click here.
Is there a Francophone school in St John’s?
There is one French language school in St. John’s that offers programs from Kindergarten to grade 12. For more information click here.
When can my child start Kindergarten?
In the year that your child turns 4 years old, you can register them for a Kinderstart program. This program takes place the year before the child enters Kindergarten. The program consists of five (5) to ten (10) sessions to support children to transition into school. When you register for the Kinderstart Program you are also registering your child for Kindergarten the following year. Registration takes place in May, the year your child turns 4 years old. For more information click here.
What is the early French Immersion Program?
French Immersion is a program designed for non-francophone children. For more information click here.
Still, have questions?
- For the school district staff directory click here.
- You can email nlise@nlschools.ca or call the Avalon Regional Office Reception at (709) 758-2372
- Make an appointment with the family advisor Deepika Vashisth ddeepika@mun.ca
External Resources: