Elementary and secondary

In this section you will learn about all of the education options Alberta offers to you and your family. Alberta is internationally recognized for the excellence of its K-12 (kindergarten – high school) education system. Education in Alberta is provided free of charge for children attending school from Grade 1 to Grade 12.  

Most children attend public, separate, francophone or charter schools that are part of the public education system. See school system options to learn about different types of schools.

By law, children living in Alberta must attend school from ages six to 16. Public education is provided free of charge for children and young people less than 20 years of age, up to the end of secondary school.

School levels for children

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is an educational program for children who are under six years of age as of September 1. Most children enter Kindergarten one year before starting Grade 1. You are able to decide if your children will attend.

Elementary school

Children start elementary school in Grade 1 at about age six. Some school boards allow children to register at five-and-a-half years of age. Elementary school usually ends after Grade 6.

Junior high school

Junior high school starts at Grade 7 and ends after Grade 9. Most students in junior high school are between the ages of 11 and 15 years.

High school (secondary)

Senior high school students are usually between the ages of 16 and 18 years. Senior high school starts at Grade 10 and ends after Grade 12.

After completing the required high school courses, students must pass a series of examinations that include provincially set examinations to qualify for an Alberta High School Diploma. Students are expected to find out which courses are required to enter the post-secondary institutions they wish to attend and to select their high school courses accordingly.

Date Updated:
RDP:1192