General Questions

What does the K-12 education system look like in Saskatchewan?

How can home-schooled students receive credit recognition at the secondary level?

Secondary Level Education in Saskatchewan

Canada comprises ten provinces and three territories. Under the Canadian constitution, education is a provincial jurisdiction so each province establishes its own legislation and policy for the governance and administration of the educational system.

In Saskatchewan, Kindergarten to Grade 12 (K-12) education is a shared responsibility between Saskatchewan Learning, under the authority of the Minister of Learning, and locally elected boards of education.

Under provincial legislation, Saskatchewan Learning, under the authority of the Minister, has the responsibility to establish the goals and objectives of the educational system; to prepare and distribute recommendations and advice on the management of schools and school divisions; to establish regulations authorizing provincial courses of instruction and to provide courses of study or curriculum guides pertaining to these courses; to provide lists of prescribed or recommended curriculum resource materials; and to make regulations for the classification and certification of teachers.

Provincial legislation provides for the election of local school boards of education which have responsibility to manage and administer the Kindergarten to Grade 12 school system in their school division, within the regulations and guidelines set out by the Department.

Within Saskatchewan Learning, the Curriculum and Instruction Branch is responsible for the development of provincial curriculum and for the establishment of time allocations for the Required Areas of Study and the Secondary Level credit policy (grades 10-12).

The Provincial Examinations, Student and Teacher Services Unit within the Department is responsible for teacher certification (all teachers must hold a Saskatchewan teacher's certificate); the development and administration of Grade 12 departmental exams; the administration of the secondary level credit policy; the central registry of students from kindergarten to grade 12; and the issuing of Secondary Level transcripts (Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement).

Secondary Level Requirements

For completion of the regular Secondary Level (high school) program, students are required to complete 24 credits at the Grades 10-12 level (one credit represents approximately 100 hours of instruction). There are required credits/courses at each grade level, but these vary depending on which program a student is taking: Regular, Fransaskois, and Bilingual/Immersion.

Courses are designated by their grade level (10, 20, and 30 level for Grade 10, Grade 11, and Grade 12), but students are allowed to take any level course at any grade level as long as they have completed the prerequisite course (for courses which have prerequisites).

Adult students (defined as at least 18 years of age and out of school for at least one year) may complete Grade 12 under the Adult 12 policy.

Currently departmental exams are provided in the following Grade 12 subjects; English Language Arts, mathematics, and science (Chemistry, Physics and Biology). There are three regular exam sessions per year: January, June, and August. Three limited sessions in March, May, and December requiring Registrar's approval are also available. All departmental exams must be written on the exact day and at the time scheduled on the official examination timetable issued by the Registrar's Office of Saskatchewan Learning.

All teachers must hold a Saskatchewan teaching certificate, and the basic certificate, the Professional A, authorizes teachers to teach all subjects from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Employing school boards have the responsibility to determine appropriate teaching assignments based on the teacher's academic and professional background.

Saskatchewan Learning does not issue a diploma or any other document except the Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement, which indicates the program under which the student was enrolled as well as the grade level completed. This transcript is issued by the Registrar, Saskatchewan Learning.

There are no university entrance exams administered in Saskatchewan. Students who complete Grade 12 in Saskatchewan are admitted to Canadian post-secondary institutions based on their high school records (secondary level transcript). It is the students' responsibility to ensure that they complete the appropriate secondary level program and specific courses required for admission into the university and faculty of studies of their choice.

Home-Based Education:
How Can Students Earn Secondary Level Credits?

What are the responsibilities of parents in home schooling? 

According to the Home-Based Education Regulations, when parents exercise their right to home school, they assume the responsibility to select and direct the program. Parents must ensure that the program is not inconsistent with the Goals of Education for Saskatchewan and not inappropriate for the age and ability of the student.

Will a school division evaluate and approve our family's education program?

Since home-based educators use a variety of instructional material to educate their children, it is impractical and inappropriate for school divisions to evaluate and approve individual home-based education programs. Rather than approve programs, school divisions register home-based educators in accordance with the Home-Based Education Regulations.

What do students need for a complete grade 12 in the regular school system ?

To graduate from high school (grades 10 through 12), a student must register in and complete 24 credits from programs recognized by Saskatchewan Learning. There are specific required courses and elective courses. See Credit Requirements for Secondary Level Completion for the specific requirements.

Is there any other way to complete grade 12, as an adult, for example?

Adult students can complete a high school standing under the Adult 12 policy which allows adult students (18 years of age and out of school for at least one year) to complete with seven credits (5 must be at the 30 level; the math and science requirement may be at the 20 or 30 level). An Adult Grade 12 is considered equivalent to a Regular Grade 12 standing and is recognized by colleges and universities for admission. See Credit Requirements for Secondary Level Completion for specific requirements for an Adult 12 program.

Can a student challenge a grade 12 departmental exam?

Only adult students (18 years of age and out of school for one year) are allowed to earn credits by challenging grade 12 departmental exams for 100 percent of the final mark.

Where can students take high school courses for credit?

Students can take their courses at high schools in the separate and public system, approved independent church schools, First Nations schools, one approved private school, or by correspondence through Saskatchewan Government Technology Supported Learning, 1-800-667-7166 (formerly the Saskatchewan Government Correspondence School).

Adults wishing to complete under the Adult 12 policy can also go to a number of post-secondary locations which include four SIAST campuses and nine regional colleges.

Can I use the GED (General Educational Development) Grade 12 Equivalency Diploma?

Although the individual GED tests are not recognized towards Saskatchewan Learning secondary level credits, Saskatchewan does provide a Grade 12 High School Equivalency Diploma for adults who have successfully completed the GED tests (reading, writing, social studies, mathematics and science). To write the required tests, a person must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of Saskatchewan. SIAST campuses, regional colleges and some community based organizations (CBO's) offer courses to help students prepare for the GED tests. Individuals can also prepare at home by using a self study guide available in most book stores and public libraries.

The GED diploma is accepted by most employers and some post-secondary institutions (e.g., SIAST recognizes the GED for many courses). Saskatchewan universities do not recognize the GED as meeting the required prerequisites for direct admission, however, it is considered as part of the criteria for the mature admissions policy.

Can work completed through schools outside Saskatchewan or as part of a home-based program be recognized for credit?

For courses completed through a school that is approved and recognized by its provincial or state ministry of education, Saskatchewan Learning will evaluate the program based on the official transcript and the student may receive credit (standing granted).

Students who have completed courses through schools that are not recognized by their provincial or state ministry of education, or course work as part of their home-based program, would need to be registered in the course in a Saskatchewan high school, have their knowledge and skills evaluated based on the learning objectives of Saskatchewan's curriculum, and be assigned a mark by the school. This can be arranged through the Office of the Registrar, Saskatchewan Learning (306)787-6086.

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