General Education Facts
Education in Nova Scotia runs from Kindergarten (Year 0) to Grade 12.
Individual municipalities are responsible for operating schools within their jurisdictions through local school boards.
The provincial education ministry, the Department of Education and Cutlure, is responsible for provincial curriculum development and management, as well as teacher certification.
All schools in Nova Scotia must follow the same basic curriculum, regardless of religious, political affiliation or language of instruction, though many schools offer exciting courses and opportunities beyond the core requirements.
Post-Secondary Education Facts
In Canada, there are basically four types of post-secondary educational institution:
Universities, which are empowered to grant all levels of post-secondary degree
University Colleges, which are empowered to grant four-year and two year degrees, as well as technical degrees.
Colleges, which are empowered to grant two-year and vocational degrees
Private schools that offer specific religious, vocational, technical or language training.
In Canada, post-secondary education is the responsibility of the provincial and territorial governments, and the provinces administer all funds provided by the Government of Canada for the express purpose of college and university administration.
In Nova Scotia, the ministry responsible for managing higher education is the Department of Education and Culture.
The federal government, however, still offers a variety of funding options to individuals and universities for research, student financial aid, and for various scholarships.
Nova Scotia Opportunities for Higher Learning
Dalhousie University, in colonial Halifax, is among Canada’s most prestigious universities, a highly-renowned research institution, and the top university in Atlantic Canada. It’s business school has graduated dozens of business and political leaders, and its law school ranks among Canada’s top 3.
Saint Francis Xavier University has graduated two Canadian prime ministers, more than a dozen Canadian senators, and many national-caliber business, political and cultural leaders.
Acadia University, in leafy Wolfville, is a liberal arts university with a technology focus with several programs in that domain reputed to be among Canada’s best.
Nova Scotia School of Art and Design is among the top 3 design schools in Canada, and maintains what could be Canada’s strongest and most ambitious international placement and exchange program.
The 13-campus Nova Scotia Community College offers excellent language, vocational and technical programs in hundreds of areas.
