Canadian Public Schools: Excellence & Opportunity in Education. Ms. Bonnie McKie, Executive Director

Transcription

1 Canadian Public Schools: Excellence & Opportunity in Education Ms. Bonnie McKie, Executive Director

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4 About CAPS-I national non-profit association of 120 public school districts* formally incorporated in 2008 to establish standards for the K-12 public school sector of the industry members offer English or French educational programs with bilingual experiences available in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick faith-based (Catholic) educational programs are offered by members in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario * may also be referred to as boards or divisions

5 YK NWT NT Distribution of Membership representing 120 districts BC 3 AB SK MB 11 NL ON PEI QC 1 NB NS 1* 5* * * provincially organized

6 Quality Assurance All members must comply with CAPS-I s Standards of Practice in the following 4 areas: 1) Care & Support of Students 2) Homestay Screening & Selection 3) Homestay Monitoring & Support 4) Working with Agents/Partners Associate members are given 2 years to develop their programs to comply with CAPS-I s Standards of Practice. CAPS-I: Your Assurance of Quality and Integrity!

7 International Enrolment in CAPS-I Schools International students have attended Canadian public schools for 30+ years In , 24,000 international students are studying for 1 semester (5 month) or full academic year programs (10 month) - 15% increase over 2013/2014 Approximately 15,000 international students participate in short term (non-credit) programs each year More than 600 public schools in Canada currently enroll international students

8 Excellence in Education

9 Public Schools - The #1 Choice in Canada! Education falls under provincial government jurisdiction Public schools are the #1 choice by 95% of Canadian parents Public school teachers are government-certified and many have Master s degree Regulated class sizes Provincial high school graduation diplomas are recognized around the globe Direct pathways & partnerships with post-secondary institutions

10 Comparing Canada Academically In 2012, the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tested 510,000 Grade 10 (15 year old) students from 65 countries around the globe in Reading, Math & Science. Canada ranked 7 th on the Reading Scale with New Zealand & Australia tied and ranked 9 th, UK 16 th and US 17 th. On the Science Scale, Canada ranked 10 th with Australia ranking 14th, New Zealand 16 th, UK tied for 17 th and the US 22 nd. Canada ranked 13 th on the Math Scale with Australia 18 th, New Zealand 20 th, UK 23 rd and the US 32 nd.

11 A Destination of Opportunity

12 Program Opportunities Full academic year = September June (typical) but could be from Feb. - January 1 semester (Sept. Jan. or Feb. June) Short term programs (high school integration experiences for 4-16 weeks) Summer camp programs (2 4 weeks in July/August in Canada and abroad upon request)

13 Leadership Academics Fine & Performing Arts Athletics

14 Specialized Programs English or French programs (4 Francophone & French Immersion) Faith-based educational programs (18 Catholic) Specialized science programs 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 One-to-one technology programs (students may be required to have laptops) International Education Certificate

15 Optional Courses 2 nd Languages (French, Spanish, German, Chinese, Japanese, Mandarin) Computer Animation / Digital Media & Web Design Cosmetology (hair design/make-up) / Fashion Design Entrepreneurship / Law / Marketing / Accounting / Tourism / Financial Mgmt Robotics / Aviation Culinary (chef training) Art / Drama / Band / Film studies / Photography Eco-Adventure / Outdoor Exploration Automotive / Metalwork / Woodwork / Construction Technology

16 Choice of Living Environment Students can choose: to live in an urban, suburban or rural environment to experience a city of more than 1 million people or live in a smaller community to attend a large school or a small school with various grade configurations a variety of landscapes ocean-side, mountain, prairie region or lake-country a more mild climate or to embrace and enjoy winter fun/activities

17 Benefits of Homestay Living The majority* of international students live with Canadian host families Host families are carefully screened prior to selection & placement Students and families are carefully matched to ensure a happy/healthy arrangement Families care for, support and nurture students as if they were their own 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

18 Host Family Life International students truly become a part of their Canadian family

19 Other Great Reasons to Choose Canada Competitively-priced tuition fees ($9,000 14,000 CAD per year for a total cost of $18,000 24,000 CAD) Limited # of international students in each school Comprehensive circle of care and support Wide variety of extra-curricular activities and clubs Homestay experience Bilingual and multicultural World class health care system

20 Working with CAPS-I Information/resources Identify unique educational program opportunities or potential partners Connect/introduce to our members Working with Our Member Schools Commissions/referral fees Agreements Processing times Decision makers

21 For more Information Guidebook (5 th edition) 118 pages with 1 page profiles of all members Live & Learn in Canada Promotional Posters CAPS-I Website (Available in 14 languages)

22 Contact Details For further information about Canadian public school programs, please contact: Bonnie McKie Executive Director, CAPS-I Phone: Skype: bonnie.mckie (Calgary)