Elementary or Public School Student

Students attend elementary (or public) school every weekday (barring holidays) from September until June. Classes generally begin between 8:30 and 9 a.m. and go until 3 or 3:30 p.m. There is a break for lunch, and there are usually a morning and an afternoon recess or outdoor recreation time.

Children in kindergarten generally attend school for half-days (mornings or afternoons only) or two and a half to three days a week.

For older children, the school day is usually broken into periods of approximately one hour. Children may have the same teacher all day, or may go to different classrooms (or have a different teacher in their classroom) for different subjects.

Children in public schools in Canada take classes in English, French, mathematics, science, social studies (geography and history), art, music and physical education. The contents of the curriculum are set by the provincial government and the school board.

There are not generally electives or a choice of classes in public schools. Private schools may offer these options, but it is rare at the elementary school level.