Preparing for Middle School in Alberta

Preparing for middle school in Alberta depends, to a certain extent, on the type of middle school program you have chosen, and on the school's specific requirements. In general, however, you can start preparing for middle school in Alberta by following the academic and personal preparation tips below:

Academic
International students applying to Alberta middle schools should begin planning early. Requirements or assessment tests vary from middle school to middle school, and the more time you give yourself to prepare, the easier your application, acceptance and overall process will be.

Differing admission requirements: some schools have minimum academic requirements, while others evaluate each application on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, it's a good idea to try and get the best grades you can now, so that you will qualify for any Alberta middle school you might choose.

In addition to keeping your grades up, your academic preparation should involve gathering information from the different middle school programs in Alberta. Schools will likely have slightly different application processes and different English or French language proficiency requirements. Required documentation may also vary. Clarify the details of all these requirements early on, since that will affect what you need to do in your home country.

Personal
Personal preparation can be equally important, and there are a number of things you can do.

Get more familiar with the language you will be studying in, whether English or French. You can do this by reading English- or French-language books, magazines, newspapers or even comic books, either in print or online. You can practice your conversation with any English- or French-speaking friends, and watch English or French TV or films.

Research the extra-curricular activities offered by the school you hope to attend, or that are available in the local community. Knowing you can look forward to your favourite sport or other activity--or the exciting prospect of trying something new--can help you get excited about life in Alberta beyond your studies.

Get in contact with other international students already studying in Alberta, and even at the specific school you are applying to. A school's administration may be able to put you in touch with current international students willing to share their experiences and advice.

Find out in advance how you can stay in regular contact with your family once you arrive in Alberta.

All minors by Canadian law (anyone under 18) must have a designated guardian in Canada--someone who will be responsible for them while in the country. If you have no family in Canada, this may be slightly more complicated, so it is important to contact Canadian Immigration officials to find out what you and your parents need to do to fulfill this part of the process.