Below, we outline the different grade levels, and years of compulsory education, in Canada. We also compare the Canadian grade level system to that of five other countries—Poland, the United States, Britain, France, and Germany.
For each country, we highlight the years of compulsory education in blue.
Canada’s grade levels compared to other countries
Starting age | Canada | United States | Britain | France | Germany | Poland |
0+ | Nursery | Nursery | Kinderkrippe | Żłobek | ||
3-4 | Preschool | Nursery | Petite section | Kindergarten | Przedszkole | |
4-5 | Junior kindergarten | Preschool | Reception | Moyenne section | Kindergarten | Przedszkole |
5-6 | Senior kindergarten | Kindergarten | Year 1 | Grande section | Kindergarten | Zerówka |
6-7 | Grade 1 | Grade 1 | Year 2 | Cours préparatoire | Grundschule | Klasa 1 |
7-8 | Grade 2 | Grade 2 | Year 3 | Cours élémentaire première année | Grundschule | Klasa 2 |
8-9 | Grade 3 | Grade 3 | Year 4 | Cours élémentaire deuxième année | Grundschule | Klasa 3 |
9-10 | Grade 4 | Grade 4 | Year 5 | Cours moyen première année | Grundschule | Klasa 4 |
10-11 | Grade 5 | Grade 5 | Year 6 | Course moyen deuxième année | Hauptschule | Klasa 5 |
11-12 | Grade 6 | Grade 6 | Year 7 | Sixième | Hauptschule | Klasa 6 |
12-13 | Grade 7 | Grade 7 | Year 8 | Cinquième | Hauptschule | Klasa 7 |
13-14 | Grade 8 | Grade 8 | Year 9 | Quatrième | Hauptschule | Klasa 8 |
14-15 | Grade 9 | Grade 9 | Year 10 | Troisième | Hauptschule | Liceum 1 |
15-16 | Grade 10 | Grade 10 | Year 11 | Seconde | Hauptschule | Liceum 2 |
16-17 | Grade 11 | Grade 11 | Year 12 | Première | Höhere Handelsschule | Liceum 3 |
17-18 | Grade 12 | Grade 12 | Year 13 | Terminale | Liceum 4 |
More on Canadian grade levelsversusother countries
In Canada, students are required to go to school for at least 10 years. Like the US, school attendance in Canada is compulsory from Grade 1 until at least Grade 10. In some Canadian provinces and US states, though, students are required to complete high school, right through to the end of Grade 12. If you're interested in the grade structures of Canada's 12 provinces, read our guide. You can also learn how the Canadian education system compares with that of the US and Britain.
Poland
In Poland, compulsory educationusually starts when children are 6 years old (zerówka or the so-called zero year), and ends after12 yearsof learning.
Britain
In Britain (and all of the UK), compulsory education is 12years.Children must attend school from the reception year (right before Year 1) until Year 11. In France and Germany, meanwhile, compulsory education runs 9 years, the North American equivalent of Grade 1 to 9.
Germany
Also, in Germany, students, at age 12, can attend Realschule, Mittelschule, Gymnasium, or Gesamtschule, instead of Hauptschule. Each of these types of secondary school has a different focus and grade range.
Series: Private School Basics
- Comparing the Canadian, American, and British school systems
- Must Read: Private schools vs. public schools
- Must Read: Benefits of private schools
- Criticisms of private education
- Private vs. independent schools: what's the difference?
- The Canadian education system
- Accreditation of private schools in Canada
- The changing face of private education
- Canadian provincial grade levels