International Student Program

Welcome to Canada

Canada is an excellent place to live and to study

Canada ranked the best place in the world

The United Nations has ranked Canada #1 as the best place in the world to live more

times than any other country.

Superior education

Canada's education system ranks amongst the best in the world and, above all, in native English-speaking countries.

Education system in Canada• Education is controlled by the government of each

province in Canada• Students are required to attend school from 6 – 16

years• School starts at Grade 1 (6 years old) and finishes at

Grade 12 (17 years old) except for Quebec – grade 11 + 2 years CGEP

• Students may stay in school up to 19 years of age, if necessary

• A public school education is free for Canadians• Fewer than 3% of students attend private schools

• Kindergarten(optional) starts at age 5• Elementary school is from Grade 1 – 7• Secondary school is from Grade 8 – 12• University: Bachelors Degree = 4 years Masters Degree = 2 more years Doctorate = 2 or more years after

Masters

• In British Columbia students are required to complete 80 credits (equivalent to 20 courses) during Grades 10, 11, & 12 to graduate

• In order to be eligible for university, B.C. students must also pass Provincial exams in required subjects at Grades 10, 11 & 12

Required courses (B.C.)• English 10, 11, 12• Math 10, 11• Social Studies 10, 11• Science 10• Science 11 or 12• Physical Education 10• Fine Arts and/or Applied skills 10, 11, 12• Planning 10• Minimum 7 elective courses• Graduation Portfolio

• A British Columbia Graduation Diploma allows students the opportunity to enter colleges and universities in North America and many countries abroad

Burnaby, City of Parks

Located in the Centre of Greater Vancouver

20-25 minutes from downtown Vancouver by SkytrainPhoto: Josh Novosad

40-45 minutes from Vancouver International Airport by car

Enjoy a mild climate

In Summer

In Fall

Photo: Roozbeh Farahbod

In Winter

In Spring

Safe, welcoming neighbourhoods

Burnaby, so much to experience

Beautiful public golf courses open to all

Eight Rinks Sports Arena

Deer Lake

Local mountains 30 minutes away

Shop at Canada’s 2nd largest shopping centre

Metrotown in Burnaby

4th largest School District in British Columbia

Study in the Burnaby Public School District

Top quality academic program

Most diverse Visual and Performing Arts Program

Competitive sports program

Excellent support for international students

Top Quality Academic Program

Burnaby School District

Burnaby schools are recognized for their academic programming and wide range of opportunities

Highly ranked schools

Each year Burnaby students exceed the provincial average in the:

• number of students graduating• number of students being awarded

scholarships• number of students successfully

entering post-secondary

Number of students graduating

Number of students awarded scholarships

School Graduates(Sept. 30/08)

School-based Scholarships

District-based Scholarships

External Awards/

ScholarshipsTotal

Alpha 174 $19,575.00 $9,150.00 $231,825.00 $260,550.00

Burnaby Central

307 $26,350.00 $5,875.00 $902,550.00 $934,775.00

Burnaby Mountain

307 $94,805.00 $9,350.00 $436,000.00 $540,155.00

Burnaby North 447 $34,284.00 $7,125.00 $1,206,203.00 $1,247,612.00

Burnaby South 338 $24,725.00 $9,000.00 $505,500.00 $539,225.00

Byrne Creek 252 $30,600.00 $6,300.00 $258,750.00 $295,650.00

Cariboo Hill 154 $12,005.00 $6,150.00 $155,500.00 $173,655.00

Moscrop 325 $89,250.00 $7,350.00 $1,062,272.00 $1,158,872.00

TOTAL 2,304 $331,594.00 $60,300.00 $4,758,600.00 $5,150,494.00

Students successfully enter post-secondary

In the latest government report, Burnaby ranks as the #2 public school district in British Columbia for the percentage of its students transitioning to BC Post-Secondary Institutions.

Largest Advanced Placement Program in Canada

Tony

The impressive number of AP courses offered in Burnaby definitely gave me an edge after coming to college.

I was able to skip many of the introductory courses and place directly into upper level ones that are much more useful and interesting. It also allows me greater flexibility in course selection because it eliminates some of the core requirements.

I used to hear the complaints that the large AP offerings induce the tendency among students to take AP courses simply because they are AP courses and miss the point. In fact, looking in retrospect some of the AP courses I took that I didn‘t expect to be useful turned out to simplify my life greatly here at Princeton.

After all, how can one decide what to do with one's life before even graduating from high school.

AP Courses• English: Literature• Languages: French, Mandarin• Social Studies: Economics, Human Geography,

Psychology, World History• Visual and Performing Arts: Design, Drawing, Art

History, Music Theory• Mathematics: Calculus, Statistics• Technology: Computer Science• Science: Chemistry, Biology, Physics,

Environmental Science

Visual and Performing Arts

Burnaby students have garnered numerous awardsin the visual and performing arts, and have been acceptedinto top music conservatories, art schools and dancing academies

Most diverse program in British Columbia

Music

Burnaby is the only school district in BC to have music specialists at the

elementary school level

Dance

Every school has a dance studio

Drama

Every school has a theatre

Every school has a variety of art studios

Media Arts

Competitive sports teams

BasketballSoccer

VolleyballBadminton

WrestlingSnow boarding

Athletics

Academy of Soccer : Burnaby CentralAcademy of Hockey : Burnaby North

Academy of Swimming : Burnaby MountainAcademy of Softball : Burnaby Mountain

Academies of Sport

I attend Burnaby North Secondary School in. I came to Canada during a special time of the year: The Winter Olympics. I’m very proud to say that I’m a part of the Games. Thanks to BNSS, I am volunteering at the Olympics.

BNSS offers a special program; the Ice-hockey Academy. Girls

and boys from all grades attend the Academy, from beginner to professional. It is a perfect way

to improve my hockey skills.

There is a good learning environment. Teachers in

Canada are not only there to teach, they’re also available to talk about personal concerns.

Life as an exchange student in Canada isn’t as hard as I thought it would be; I’ve

made new friends, learned a lot about a new culture and

live with a wonderfulhome-stay family.

Kevin, Germany

Excellent support

International Office team

Excellent support for international students and their families

Vice Principals of International at every high school

Alpha Burnaby Central Burnaby Mountain Burnaby North

Byrne Creek Cariboo Hill MoscropBurnaby South

International Student Liaisons at every high school

Alpha Burnaby Central Burnaby Central

Burnaby Mountain Burnaby NorthBurnaby Mountain

International Student Liaisons

Byrne Creek Byrne Creek

MoscropCariboo Hill

One week orientation before school starts(late August, late January)

• English assessment• Math assessment• Program overview• Study plans (German students can select

courses in advance)• Homestay information• School tour• 2 local excursions

Regular parent meetings

Universities and colleges throughout Canada and some from the US present their programs to our international students

Higher education night

Excursions

Medical insurance

Report Cards

JapaneseKorean

MandarinCantonese

SpanishPortuguese

Italian

Multi-lingual staff

Our High Schools

Students can choose from eight secondary schools (Grades 8 – 12), ranging from 900 – 2,250 students

Burnaby South

Burnaby Mountain

Byrne Creek Secondary

Burnaby North Secondary

Cariboo Secondary

Alpha Secondary

Central Secondary

Moscrop Secondary

Registration

Students can start in September or February and

can register for one semester (5 months), one year (10

months), or more

Semester system

Students can choose the semester or linear system

• starts September and February• 4 subjects per semester = 8 subjects per year

Linear system

• starts September only (option for Italian students to start at other times if non-credit)

• 8 subjects September to June

Burnaby's semester schools are

Alpha | Byrne Creek | Central

Burnaby's linear schools are

Cariboo | Moscrop | Mountain | North | South

International student population

We limit the number of international students placed at each school to less than

8% of the school’s student population

Outstanding Facilities

Schools are either new, have been recently renovated, or have been equipped with the latest in educational technology

Michael J. Fox theatre, Burnaby South Secondary

Specialty Mac labs for Media Arts

Video conferencing centre – Byrne Creek Secondary

Every school has a dance studio

Every school has a school cafeteria

Every school has 2 gymnasiums

Every school has outdoor playing fields

Multi-purpose areas

For lunch, studying, school assemblies, etc.

Our Student Environment

School spirit is strongA welcoming student body

Staff are caring and supportiveHigh student participation in school activities

Sofia, Brazil

My stay here in Canada has been great! Here in Burnaby, being an International student opens to you lots of great

opportunities. The experience of being an International student in Burnaby South school is just amazing. I met lots of

good friends and amazing teachers, I really enjoyed my stay in Canada!

Our Academic Programs

• Regular Academic Programs, comprised of eight subjects

• Intensive English Program• Honours Program• Advanced Placement (AP)• French Immersion

Class size is maximum 30 students

ESL classes are usually 15 - 25 students

Course Timetable

• Students take eight subjects per year• Students will be assessed at orientation for

their English language level• The subjects they take will depend on their

English language level

ESL + credit courses sample program

1. Level 1 ESL (Beginner): 4 ESL classes, Math, Physical Education, Arts, Applied Skills (e.g. computers, technology, foods)

2. Level 2 ESL (Intermediate): 3 ESL classes, Science, Math, Physical Education, Arts, Applied Skills

3. Level 3 ESL (Advanced): Language Adapted English, Language Adapted Social Studies, Math, Science, Physical Education, Fine Arts, Applied Skills, Electives

Numerous Elective Courses

• Animation

• Cooking

• E-business/Marketing

• Fashion Merchandising

• Film Studies

• Graphic Arts

• Industrial Design

• Leadership & Helping

• Music Technology

• Outdoor Education

• Photography

• Robotics

• Space Science

• Television Production

• Tourism

Latin and Ancient Greek

Burnaby School District is the only public school district to offer Latin

and Ancient Greek year round

Kim, Germany

My experience at Burnaby Mountain Secondary has been fun and special. In classes, I find students and teachers are

respectful to each other. I feel that teacher’s put a lot of effort into their lesson planning.

The equipment and facilities are really great here. We have lots of chances to use computers and work in groups.

There are many field trips and extra curricular activities. For instance some of the field trips we went on was a

hockey game, Olympic event and skiing. There are really fun intramural sports at lunch and students run

entertainment events at night. By meeting friends, my English has really improved. Everybody is so welcoming and interested in learning German, and about German

culture.

Schools here are different than in Germany. There are many varied courses like textiles, drama, photography,

marketing and baking.

Clubs

Skiing/SnowboardingMountain Biking

GuitarGolf

MathDance Team

Dragon Boat RacingRobotics

DramaCheerleading

...and many more

Homestay Program

Students are placed in carefully selected homes

Homestay Program

Homestay Program

• For students 13+ years of age

• Elementary students K-5 must reside with parent;grades 6-7 with aunt/uncle/grandparent only

• Families must pass a strict screening process

• Families provide a caring and supportive environment

• Students have their own bedroom and 3 meals per day

• Located in walking distance or a short bus ride to the appointed school

• Students have a strict curfew

• The homestay application allows students to describe their ideal family

• The maximum students placed in a home are two, and they must be from different countries

Karina, Mexico

My experience as International Student has been great!

I have met a lot of people which now is really special for me.

I had learned a lot about another cultures, had amazing experiences and tried a lot of new things.

Being in a home-stay it`s really interesting, I have had good times with them, it has made me responsible and independent.

I`m sure that this experience it`s going to help me for my life and I'm just thankful with all the people that had make this an

unforgettable time.

Summer Programs (July and August)

Customized group programs – ESL + activities

Credit courses – Math

Non-credit courses - ESL

See you in Burnaby!