What Is Secondary School in Canada? Grades and Ages Explained

Secondary school in Canada is high school: grades 9 to 12, for students aged about 14 to 18. Here is what it means, how many years it takes, and what comes next.

If you are planning to study in Canada, it helps to know how the school levels are named. Many students search for "secondary school" and are not sure if it means the same thing in Canada as it does at home. This guide gives you the simple answer first, then explains the details.

What is secondary school in Canada?

Secondary school in Canada is the level of school that comes after primary (elementary) school and before college or university. Most Canadians call it high school. The two words mean the same thing.

Secondary school usually covers grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. Students start at about age 14 and finish at about age 18. When you finish, you receive a high school diploma. You need this diploma to apply to most colleges and universities in Canada.

How many years is secondary school in Canada?

Secondary school in Canada is four years long in most provinces: grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.

There is one important exception. In Quebec, secondary school is five years (called Secondary 1 to Secondary 5) and finishes around grade 11. After that, most Quebec students attend CEGEP, a college level that comes between secondary school and university. You can read more about this below under provincial differences.

What ages attend secondary school in Canada?

Students in Canada usually attend secondary school between the ages of 14 and 18. The exact age depends on the province and on when a child started school.

School is required by law up to a certain age in every province. In most provinces this is age 16, and in some it is age 18. The rules are set by each province, not by the national government, so they can be different depending on where you live.

Secondary school vs post-secondary school: what is the difference?

This is the question many students ask, and the two words are easy to mix up. Here is the simple difference.

• Secondary school is high school: grades 9 to 12. It comes before college or university.
• Post-secondary school is any education after high school. This includes college, university, and trade or technical schools.

So "post-secondary" simply means "after secondary." If someone asks about your post-secondary plans, they are asking what you want to study after you finish high school. As an international student, most study permits and programs you apply for in Canada are at the post-secondary level.

How secondary school differs across Canada

Education in Canada is managed by each province and territory, not by one national system. This means the grade structure can be slightly different depending on where a student studies.

The biggest difference is in Quebec. There, secondary school has five years (Secondary 1 to Secondary 5) and ends earlier than in other provinces. Students then attend CEGEP, a free public college level, before going on to university. In the rest of Canada, students go straight from grade 12 to college or university.

What comes after secondary school in Canada?

After you finish secondary school and earn your high school diploma, you can apply to post-secondary education. For international students, this is usually where your Canadian study journey begins.

Your main options after high school are colleges, which focus on practical and career-based programs, and universities, which offer degree programs and research. To learn how these two differ and which might suit you, see our guide on the levels of education in Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Knowing how secondary school works in Canada is a great first step. Once you understand the levels, you can plan your path to college or university with more confidence. ApplyBoard is here to help you take the next step.