There are a great many reasons we consider Canada the perfect foundation for our school. Learning is of the utmost important to Canadians. Investment in education has enabled Canada to develop a first-rate education system. The country spends more on education (as a percentage of GDP) compared to the OECD average, and is the second highest among G-8 countries. Canada offers fascinating opportunities for visitors, international students or those looking to immigrate. The country consistently ranks as one of the best places in the world to live due to its high standards of living, education system, high life expectancy and low crime rates. It is a land of breathtaking beauty with one of the longest coastlines, vast wilderness, world-class cities, and a culture of tolerance and diversity. Canada has a policy of encouraging multicultural diversity, and this has resulted in a welcoming environment where almost all the world’s ethnic groups are represented. All things considered, it is easy to see why Canada receives thousands of international students and visitors each year.

Canadian teenagers consistently rank among the best in the world on international tests - a testament to the outstanding quality of Canadian schools. Canada’s high academic standards and rigorous quality control means that students will be earning a high-quality education that will open doors for future endeavors. A Canadian degree, diploma or certificate is well-regarded in business, government and academic circles around the globe. Although standards across the country are uniformly high, Canadian education is provincially managed, which means there are differences between the provinces. While curriculum differences may vary from one province to the next (often representing the specialized needs of the population in terms of geography, history, language, and culture), the comprehensive, diversified, and widely accessible nature of the education systems in Canada reflects the societal belief in the importance of education.

The Canadian education system has a distinguished reputation. In 2016, Canadian 15-year-olds were among the highest achievers in the world. On a global scale, Canadian students placed 4th overall in tests of math, science and reading (see www.oecd.org/pisa). Incidentally, the province of Quebec was the top performer, with students from the province outperforming their peers. Not only is Canada near the top in every domain, the country has increased their ranking since 2012.

There are two distinct reasons why we choose to operate within the Québec system. First, the successes of Québec education are reflected in student achievements. Out of all the Canadian provinces measured in the 2015 PISA survey, Québec was the top performer. Students from the province ranked among the best in the world (alongside education powerhouses such as Finland and Singapore) in tests of reading, science and math. In addition to student success, the Québec system is designed specifically for the needs of a bilingual population. Canada has two official languages, English and French. The vast majority of Canada's French-speaking inhabitants live in the province of Québec, which is located in the eastern part of the country. As a bilingual province, Québec offers superior English as a Second Language (ESL) and French as a Second Language (FSL) programs for students wishing to learn either or both languages. A strong emphasis on language acquisition is what makes the Quebec system a perfect fit for our students.

In today’s world, speaking one foreign language is not enough. Learning French enriches the mind and opens up new horizons, both personal and professional. French is, along with English, the only language spoken on all five continents with more than 220 million speakers worldwide. The ability to speak both French and English is an advantage for finding a job within many multinational companies. Proficiency in French is essential for anyone considering a career in any international organisation because it is the official language of major organizations such as the United Nations, the European Union and UNESCO. Speaking French opens up study opportunities at renowned universities and business schools in French-speaking countries. Furthermore, many consider French the language of culture. As a result, speaking the language presents new avenues of opportunity in travel, cooking, fashion, theatre, the visual arts, dance and architecture.

The official curriculum of Quebec is the Quebec Education Program (QEP). The QEP was designed to provide a common-core basic education, and is founded on the development of competencies by students, with the goal of using knowledge effectively in carrying out tasks and real-life activities. The QEP enables schools to help students deal with social change and participate actively in their learning. At Canadian International School, the QEP is a tool that teachers use as a framework for assessing children and as guidance for planning instruction for children’s learning. Essentially, it provides the goals against which students must be assessed, evaluated, and reported upon.

The Lester B. Pearson School Board is the second largest English school board in Quebec serving approximately twenty thousand students in the Youth Sector and an additional eight thousand in its Continuing Education Sector. The Board is responsible for a network of thirty-six Elementary Schools, thirteen Secondary Schools and eight Adult & Vocational Training Centers. In addition, the Board operates Alternative Learning Centers, Ministry of Social Affairs Schools, and an International Language Center. The Lester B. Pearson School Board works with its community to provide a healthy, safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment in which there is flexibility for all students to reach their potential. The Board also prepares individuals to assume their roles as responsible, competent and successful citizens who are capable of working cooperatively within an ever-changing society.