If You Have Children

Important Notes If You Are Immigrating With Children

Introduction

Families immigrating with children need to consider some important points.
This section provides key information to help prepare your children for the educational environment in Saskatoon.

Grade Placement

In Saskatchewan, a child’s age (date of birth) determines their grade placement, not solely the grade they completed in Iran.

Learning English

Saskatoon schools offer special English Language Learning (ESL) programs for newcomer students.
There is no need to worry — children typically learn English very quickly.
Tip: Allow your child to play and engage in English-speaking environments, even at the preschool level, to help them adapt to the language and culture of Canada more easily.

Educational Structure

Saskatchewan’s educational system consists of:

8 years of elementary school (Grades 1–8)
4 years of high school (Grades 9–12)

Required Documents for School Registration

You will have to refer to the central office for registration first, which can be Saskatoon Public School District (SPSD) or Saskatoon Greater Catholic Schools (SGCS), depending on your preference. Besides documents showing the student’s passport and the parent’s immigration status, certain extra documents are needed for registration.

Document	Description
Vaccination Card and its Translation	Required for registration of all students.
Latest Academic Record (for high school students)	For students entering Grade 10 or higher, along with official translation.

How Students Are Assessed

In Elementary School

Traditional grading (A, B, C, etc.) is not used.
Academic performance is reported descriptively on report cards:
- N: Needs Improvement
- B: Beginning to Meet Expectations
- M: Meeting Expectations
- E: Exceeding Expectations

In High School

Students are assessed based on percentage grades.
The minimum passing grade is 50%.

Choosing a School

Most elementary and high schools in Saskatoon offer a good standard of education.
The quality of education depends more on the teacher’s abilities than the school’s name.
Note: Larger schools generally offer more facilities (such as libraries, gymnasiums, and special programs).

Educational Systems in Saskatoon

Schools in Saskatoon operate under one of two educational divisions:

System	Description
SPSD (Saskatoon Public Schools Division)	Public schools.
GSCS (Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools)	Catholic schools with limited religious instruction and a more structured environment.

You are free to choose between these two systems – attending Catholic schools does not require religions affiliations.

Special Educational Programs

French Immersion

Students learn French alongside English as a second language.
Mastery of both languages can significantly expand future academic and professional opportunities.

SAGE Program

A program designed for gifted students, starting from Grade 5.
These students attend regular schools but take different, advanced coursework.

Conclusion

By considering these points and preparing appropriately, your child can quickly adapt to the new educational environment and take full advantage of the excellent academic opportunities available in Saskatoon.

Disclaimer

The information provided in these resources is intended for informational purposes only, and its accuracy is not guaranteed. The Saskatoon Iranian Cultural Association accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of the content or any consequences resulting from the use of the provided information.

These resources are the property of the Saskatoon Iranian Cultural Association and may be freely referenced, provided that a link to the corresponding page on the Association’s website is included.