Education in New Brunswick

Guide your way to a seamless school transition when you relocate your CAF family to New Brunswick. Start your school search as soon as you receive your posting notice. Prepare to register for school once your House Hunting Trip is complete.

Schools at a glance

Provincially funded schools for children

English public schools (with French immersion option)
Francophone public schools (if your child has rights to first-language French education)
Online school
Home education

Private schools are also an option.

Age groups

Kindergarten to Grade 5 – Elementary School
Grades 6 to 8 – Middle School
Grades 9 to 12 – High School

Grade groupings within schools vary from community to community.

Special Education Support

The Resource Model in New Brunswick works collaboratively with parents and schools staff to provide for student learning needs. Special education resources are provided at the school level.

Ease your transition from another province or school board by having the right documentation on hand.

Have professional assessments/diagnoses documentation ready
Include information on how the diagnosis directly affects your child’s learning
Provide your child’s existing Individual Education Plan (IEP), Individual Program Plan (IPP), or Individual Learning Plan (ILP)
Share past report cards and samples of school work

See the School Transition Portfolio in the MFS Education Resource Guide for more helpful information.

High School Graduation Requirements

Secondary School in New Brunswick includes Grade 9, 10, 11 and 12. Students must complete a variety of compulsory credits as well as a language proficiency test in Gr. 9 to be eligible for a diploma. Students who are unsuccessful in completing the language requirements in Gr. 9 will have opportunities for reassessment in Gr. 11 and 12.

Read about the high school graduation requirements in New Brunswick depending on your pathway.

Virtual Learning Supports

New Brunswick offers resources for families and activities for growth. Visit Learning at Home: Resources for Families (gnb.ca) for English and French resources.

Discover more learning supports in the MFS Education Resource Guide.

FAQs about schools in New Brunswick

How do I find schools in my area when I move to New Brunswick?
Once you’ve determined the type of school your child will attend (Anglophone or Francophone), select your district and follow the links to the website where you can register online.
How long is the school year in New Brunswick?
The traditional school year runs from September to June, with two months of summer vacation in July and August, and a one-week spring break in March or April.
When can I register my child for school?
You can enroll your child in school as soon as you have proof of your New Brunswick address, which could be following your House Hunting Trip, if you’ve signed a lease or sale agreement.
How do I register my child for school?
School registration is done through your local school board/authority.
At what age do children start school?
Kindergarten is a compulsory part of the New Brunswick public school program.
Children must be at least five years old as of December 31st of the year they have started Kindergarten.
Check with your local school district to confirm types of kindergarten programs offered (e.g. half-day, full day, language of instruction etc.).

Where a child transfers to a New Brunswick public school from any school outside New Brunswick, the child is not entitled to early admission to a New Brunswick public school even if he/she had been previously enrolled in a school outside New Brunswick.
Are there pre-kindergarten options?
Pre-school programs are not part of the Anglophone and Francophone school board programing. Visit Early Learning and Child Care Action Plan (gnb.ca) to learn more about early years options.
At what age does my child have to start school?
The compulsory school age is five years by December 31st.
What if I want to home school my child?
First you need to obtain an exemption from attending public school each year that your child is home schooled. If exempted, you must complete an Annual Home Schooling Application Form and submit it to the district office. Find more about roles and responsibilities here.
Note: students who complete their education through home schooling are not eligible for a New Brunswick High School Diploma
How can I determine equivalent high school credits when moving from province to province?
Ontario eschool offers a chart comparing credit-based courses across provinces. If you’re unsure, reach out to your new school.