Families across Nova Scotia can access free, universal pre-primary education for their children, the year before they start school. The Nova Scotia Before and After Program is available to families of children ages 4 to 12, who are enrolled in the Nova Scotia Pre-primary Program or the public education system.
Community Based Learning gives students the opportunity to learn both inside the classroom and out in the community.
Programs include:
Co-operative Education: courses help students plan their education, immersing students in career exploration and on the job experiences while they are still in school.
Options and Opportunities (O2): most often referred to as O2, is a program designed to help students work toward a career pathway in a context that responds to their learning needs.
Personal Development Credits: these credits are designed to recognize the achievements of students who successfully complete courses or meet all of the assessment standards of organizations that are external to the high school system.
Skilled Trades: these courses promote career exploration and skill development in the trades, and cater to a wide variety of learning styles.
Technology Education: courses are designed to help develop the students' abilities to solve problems, become independent learners, thinkers, and decision makers.
Youth Apprenticeship: by becoming a youth apprentice participants can begin their career while still in high school or under the age of 20.
Public school correspondence courses follow the Nova Scotia Public School Program curriculum and use textbooks and other resource materials from the Authorized Learning Resources.
Correspondence Study is independent study. The course work is marked by certified teachers who understand the special needs and circumstances of students who study at home. Courses are not taught.
Note: The Correspondence Study Program is no longer accepting registrations.
Under the Education Act, parents may provide a home education program for their child(ren) centered in their home.
For more information, visit the Home Schooling web site.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a comprehensive, two-year program that is delivered using an internationally standardized curriculum in selected high schools throughout Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia Virtual School (NSVS) provides online high school courses to students enrolled in public high schools in Nova Scotia.
NSVS online courses use the Nova Scotia Public School Program (PSP) with curriculum and learning outcomes that are identical to those used in a classroom at school.
The Public School Program provides direct links to policies, programs, and supporting documents that outline the province’s commitment to supporting student-centred learning environments.
This program addresses the specific needs of students with a Learning Disability (as defined by the Learning Disabilities Association of Canada, 2002), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Tuition Support program provides funding which partially covers the tuition costs at designated special education private schools(DSEPS) or registered special education private schools (RSEPS).
