Every child in Ontario must attend school from age 6 to 18. But the law says that your child doesn’t have to attend school if they’re getting “satisfactory instruction at home or elsewhere”. This means that your child doesn’t have to attend school if you’re homeschooling them.
What are the rules for homeschooling in Ontario?
In Ontario, children are placed in grade by birth year, so there is no proof of homeschooling required, and testing is optional. Principals and teachers may request to assess your child to best place them in a classroom, especially when starting high school or if there are special needs.
At what age can you quit school in Ontario?
You can leave school when you are 16. If you are between 6 and 16, you must go to school unless you have already graduated from high school or have been excused because of an illness or other cause. If you do not attend school, attendance officers have the authority to get you and return you to school.
Can you homeschool a 17 year old?
Homeschooling high school doesn’t have to break the bank. Many of the books and resources needed to homeschool a 17 year old are available for free or at minimal cost online, at your local library, via used bookstores, or by trading off with other homeschool families.
How do I switch to homeschooling in Ontario?
Parents who decide to provide home schooling for their child(ren) should notify the school board of their intent in writing. Parents should provide the name, gender, and date of birth of each child who is receiving home schooling, and the telephone number and address of the home.
Do you have to take exams in homeschooling?
Home schooled pupils are not required to take any public exams or to follow the national curriculum. This is because they are considered privately educated. The only actual requirement for home schoolers is that they receive a full time, age-appropriate education.
At what age is school mandatory in Ontario?
6-18
The Education Act is the law that governs public schools in Ontario. It says that children aged 6-18 must attend school. Many children can begin full day kindergarten programs at age 4.
What happens if I don’t send my child to school Ontario?
Skipping School (Truancy)
Parents who neglect to send, or refuses to let, their children go to school can be charged for their child’s truancy. 12-15 year olds who regularly skip or refuse to go to school can be charged with truancy. The maximum fine is $1000 and/or up to 1 year of probation time.
What happens if my child refuses to go to school?
School refusal usually goes along with disorders like separation anxiety, depression or panic disorder. An evaluation from a professional can tell you if your child needs treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are used to treat school refusal.
Can I pull my kid out of school Ontario?
Families may withdraw their children to homeschool at any time of the year. Please see our steps to getting started with homeschooling for details on how to withdraw your child.
Can you homeschool after 16?
The law requires a child to be educated from the start of the school term following their fifth birthday until the last Friday in June in the school year in which a child reaches sixteen. The participation age was raised in 2013 and 2015 and home education is a legal option post -16 just as it is for under -16s.
Can you stop education at 17?
In short, although it is against the law to quit education before you turn 18, there are really no legal consequences for breaking this rule.
What reasons can you take your child out of school?
Schools must authorise an absence where a child is ill or has a medical appointment. Government guidance recommends that schools should authorise medical absences unless they have reasons to doubt that they are genuine, and that schools should not ask for unnecessary medical evidence.
Is there a curriculum for homeschooling in Ontario?
Must I follow the same curriculum as the schools? No, homeschoolers in Ontario are not required to follow the Ontario curriculum. This is stated explicitly in the government’s home schooling policy document, Policy/Program Memorandum No.
Do Canadian universities accept homeschooled students?
Schooled Students: Home-schooled applicants should apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) using the 105 form. An official transcript (externally evaluated by an accredited educational institution) should be submitted for evaluation to University of Guelph Admission Services.
What percentage of students are homeschooled Canada?
Similar to other years, the vast majority (91.1%) of elementary and secondary students attended public schools in 2020/2021, while private/independent schools (7.5%) and homeschooling (1.5%) represented a much lower proportion of enrolments.
How successful are homeschooled students?
Homeschooled students perform much better than their counterparts in formal institutional schooling. Peer-reviewed studies indicate that 69% of homeschooled students succeed in college and adulthood. Homeschooled students tend to perform above average on their ACTs and SATs.
Is homeschooling easier than regular school?
One of the main benefits of homeschooling is flexibility. With thousands of online homeschooling options available, it is easier than ever to learn in non-traditional environments. Homeschoolers don’t have to follow the regular school year schedule. If your child needs extra time on a specific lesson, that’s okay.
Do homeschooled kids get better grades?
The home-educated typically score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests. (The public school average is roughly the 50th percentile; scores range from 1 to 99.)
What to do if your 15 year old refuses to go to school?
If your teenager is repeatedly refusing to go to school, communicate with teachers or school counselors so they know why your child is struggling to get to class and can provide extra support. For example, school staff may wish to discuss setting up a 504 plan.
Do you legally have to go to school in Canada?
In Canada, it’s the law that children get an education. It’s the parent’s responsibility to make sure children get enrolled in and attend school. Depending on where you live, there are many schooling options to choose from. There are also different ways to get involved in those communities.