Non-Americans inevitably learn about the American school system, whether from the news, friends, or entertainment. Some aspects of the American high school experience can be puzzling. To kick off the back-to-school season, Reddit user r/CROguys asked, “What are some key differences between Canadian and American high schools?” Here are some of the best answers:
1. “Competitive sports. Generally a very big deal in American high schools, generally not a big deal in Canadian high schools.”
Competitive sports play a huge role in American high schools. Schools often have big teams and loyal fans, creating a vibrant atmosphere during games. Students are encouraged to join teams, and sports can lead to scholarships and college opportunities. In contrast, Canadian high schools don’t focus on competitive sports as much. While there are teams, they don’t usually attract the same level of attention or support. This difference highlights how priorities can vary between the two countries.
2. “As someone who’s gone to both (though I am Canadian) I found that overall competitiveness was CRAZY high in the US.”
Experiencing both American and Canadian education reveals a striking difference in competitiveness. The intensity in U.S. settings is incredibly high, with students driven to excel in sports and academics. The pressure to succeed can be overwhelming, fostering an environment where achievement is highly valued. In contrast, Canadian environments tend to be more relaxed, emphasizing participation and enjoyment rather than fierce competition.
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3. In Canada, there are “no cheerleaders. That wasn’t really a thing.”
In Canada, there are “no cheerleaders. That wasn’t a thing.” Instead of cheerleading squads, support for teams often comes from friends and classmates who attend games. The focus is more on enjoying the experience together rather than performing routines. This difference highlights how the culture around sports varies in Schools between the two countries according to buzzfeed.com.
4. “Fewer shootings, from what I understand.“
There are “fewer shootings, from what I understand,” when comparing Canada to America. This suggests that gun violence is less prevalent in Canada, contributing to a greater sense of safety in schools. The lower rates of shootings can create a more peaceful environment and impact how students approach public safety. This difference highlights the contrasting experiences related to gun violence in the two countries.
5. “I don’t know if this is the same across the country, but we only had one prom. It was part of graduation week (final exams, safe grad, prom, graduation ceremony) and only the grade 12s and their dates could attend.”
It’s unclear if this applies nationwide, but in some schools in Canada, there is typically only one prom. This event usually takes place during graduation week, alongside final exams and the graduation ceremony, and is exclusive to grade 12 students and their dates. In contrast, American schools often host multiple proms, allowing for different experiences among graduating students.
6. And speaking of prom, in Canada, there’s “no prom king and prom queen!”
And speaking of prom, in Canada, there’s “no prom king and prom queen!” This means that the event focuses more on enjoying the night together rather than crowning individuals. Without these titles, the emphasis is on community and celebration among all students, contrasting with some American traditions that highlight royal court customs during prom.
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7. “Marching bands. They seem fairly common in the States but they’re very unusual for a high school in Canada.”
Marching bands are “fairly common in the States,” but they are quite unusual for a high school in Canada. In the U.S., these bands often play at sports events and parades, becoming a significant part of school spirit and culture. In Canada, however, the presence of marching bands is rare, highlighting a notable difference in how music and performance are integrated into school life between the two countries.
8. “Extracurricular activities are not a big deal. People might join a sport or something for fun, but there’s not the same pressure to do a bunch of activities to get into university.”
In Canada, “extracurricular activities are not a big deal.” While students might join a sport or participate in a club for enjoyment, there isn’t the same pressure to engage in numerous activities for university admissions. In contrast, American students often feel compelled to build extensive resumes filled with extracurriculars to enhance their college applications.
9. During band exchanges, U.S. schools showed amenities like swimming pools, which are rare in Canada. This highlights differing expectations for school facilities.
Band exchanges with U.S. students revealed significant differences in school amenities. While touring, it became evident that American schools often featured facilities like swimming pools, which are not typical in Canada. This difference reflects contrasting norms about what is considered standard for schools to provide, rather than just financial disparities.
10. “High school teacher here! In Canada, at least, in the high schools I have been to, there isn’t a huge divide of students based on cliques.”
In Canada, at least in many high schools, there isn’t a significant divide among students based on cliques. This suggests a more inclusive environment where students from various backgrounds can interact and participate together, contrasting with schools in some other countries where social groups can be more pronounced.
11. In the U.S., many students are “honor students” or in AP classes, while in Canada, these achievements are genuinely earned and not as common.
In the U.S., it often seems that nearly everyone is labeled an “honor student” or enrolled in AP classes. In contrast, these distinctions in Canada are seen as genuine achievements, earned through hard work. This difference highlights how academic recognition is perceived and awarded in the two countries.
12. Many Canadians don’t have an SAT score or equivalent, as final exams primarily impact course grades. This means one test doesn’t heavily influence their future.
In Canada, many students do not have an SAT score or similar standardized test, with Quebec being an exception. Instead, final exams mainly contribute to overall course grades, meaning that a single test does not significantly impact a student’s future. This approach reduces pressure compared to systems where one test can determine college admissions.
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13. “Americans will say ‘ninth grade’ and Canadians say ‘grade 9.'”
Americans use the term “ninth grade” for their schooling, while Canadians refer to it as “grade 9.” This distinction reflects the different ways each country labels educational levels. Such variations in terminology illustrate cultural differences in language and education.
14. In American high schools, students typically eat in a cafeteria, while in Canada, many just sit on the floor in hallways.
In American high schools, students typically eat lunch in the cafeteria. They often have spacious cafeterias or multiple lunch periods to accommodate everyone. In contrast, Canadian students often sit on the floor in hallways during lunch. This difference highlights the contrasting lunch environments in the two countries.
15. In Quebec, the school system is unique, lacking middle school and requiring a two-year CEGEP before university after high school.
In Quebec, the school system is unique because it does not include middle school, while most of North America has a middle school structure. Instead, students in Quebec attend a two-year CEGEP program before going to university after high school. This contrasts with the typical American system, where students transition directly from high school to university or community college.
16. “Taking a 5th year is a lot more common in Canada.“
In Canada, taking a fifth year of high school is much more common. Students often choose this option to improve their grades or take additional courses. This practice allows them to better prepare for post-secondary education. It contrasts with the typical American approach, where finishing in four years is the norm.
17. “The winner of the war of 1812. As far as Canada is concerned the British won. The U.S. believes they won.”
The War of 1812 has different interpretations regarding its winner. Canadians view the British as the victors, while Americans believe they emerged triumphant. This divergence reflects national perspectives on the conflict and its outcomes. Each country emphasizes different aspects of the war to support its viewpoint.
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18. “I recently found out that in Canadian schools, 80% is an A?”
In Canadian schools, an 80% score is considered an A. This grading system differs from that in the U.S., where an A typically starts at 90%. This variation highlights the differences in academic standards and assessments between the two countries. Canadian students often aim for a lower percentage to achieve top marks.
19. “Americans have substitute teachers and kickball. Canadians have supply teachers and soccer baseball.”
Americans have substitute teachers who fill in when regular teachers are absent. They also enjoy kickball as a popular playground game. In Canada, supply teachers take on similar roles when teachers are unavailable. Canadians prefer soccer baseball, a variation that combines elements of both soccer and baseball.
20. In the U.S., some areas focus on abstinence-only education, while Canada offers comprehensive sexual education. Canadian Catholic schools also teach evolution, sex ed, and civics.
In the U.S., sexual education varies by region, with some areas teaching only abstinence. In contrast, Canada provides comprehensive sexual education across the board. In Canadian Catholic schools, students learn about evolution, sex education, and civics, illustrating a more inclusive approach to education compared to some American schools.
21. Glee clubs are uncommon in Canada. One person noted that their mother’s high school stood out for having one, highlighting its rarity.
Glee clubs are rare in Canada. One person shared that their mother’s high school was notable for having one. This highlights how uncommon these clubs are in Canadian schools compared to the U.S., where glee clubs are more prevalent. The absence of glee clubs reflects different traditions in music programs across the two countries.
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