Regina School Division No. 4 of Saskatchewan (Regina Public Schools) welcomes students and families from around the world. Our school division values the cultural and linguistic diversity of all students attending our schools. We are committed to providing the highest quality of educational services to all students, including support for students learning English as an Additional Language.
Is my child eligible to attend Regina Public Schools without paying tuition?
Your child may be able to study with Regina Public Schools tuition-free if one or both parents are authorized to work or study in Canada and if one or both parents live in Regina with the child full-time. If neither parent is authorized to work or study in Canada, or if neither parent is planning to live in Regina full-time with the student, please visit International Student Program for more information about our International Student Program and how to apply.
A parent with valid status in Canada (work permit, study permit, permanent residency, Canadian citizenship) must reside in Regina with their child full-time for the child to be eligible to study with Regina Public Schools tuition-free. Please inform the school if you are planning to leave Regina temporarily while your child(ren) will still be attending school.
- Any new documentation that confirms eligibility for student(s) to continue studying with Regina Public Schools must be received at nwcpermits@rbe.sk.ca before the expiry date of the existing permits.
- If you apply for extensions to your current permits but have not yet received them, please email the letter from Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirming that your application has been received to verify implied status. Implied status does not apply if you are requesting a change in status from the current permits (including applications for permanent residency).
- If a parent holds a study permit, the parent must provide confirmation of full-time registration in a degree/diploma program and receipt of tuition payment each semester.
It is the responsibility of the parent to provide our office with evidence of eligibility for the student(s) to continue studying without payment of tuition fees.
How do I request a Letter of Acceptance from Regina Public Schools?
Please complete one of the following application forms to obtain a Letter of Acceptance from Regina Public Schools.
- A separate application form is required for each child.
- The cost for a Letter of Acceptance is $250 for each child or $500 for two or more children from the same family. Payment instructions can be found on the application form.
- The application form and all required documents can be emailed to internationalstudentprogram@rbe.sk.ca.
Please note that Letters of Acceptance will not be provided during school holidays.
Letter of Acceptance Request for Parents with a Valid Study Permit. This form is used to receive a Letter of Acceptance for dependent children of a parent who holds a valid study permit. The parent must hold a study permit valid for a degree or diploma program in Regina. Dependent students of a parent who is taking EAL or ESL classes are not eligible for tuition-free education in Saskatchewan.
Letter of Acceptance Request for Parents with a Valid Work Permit. This form is used to receive a Letter of Acceptance for dependent children of a parent who holds a work permit valid for Regina.
How can I register my child for school?
Non-Canadian students (or Canadian students whose parents are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada) will be registered through the Regina Open Door by sending an email to nwc@rods.sk.ca.
Starting Elementary School in Canada
Starting High School in Canada
You will need:
- Immigration documents for children and parents (PR card, permits, etc.) *
- Passports for children and parents
- Birth certificates (for children only)
- Original school transcripts translated into English (for Grades 10 and up only)
- If both parents are not currently in Regina: a Declaration from Non-accompanying Parent/Guardian for Minors that has been notarized
- Rental agreement or confirmation of home ownership (mortgage statement, Land Titles document or City of Regina tax assessment)
- A second document to confirm your address (one of the following: void cheque from bank, driver’s license, or a utility bill such as telephone, cable TV, water, gas/energy)
For more information, please see Parent Registration Guides (in multiple languages)
Education in Saskatchewan: A Guide for Newcomers is available from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education in different languages.
*Dependent children of parents with visitor status are not eligible for tuition-free education in Saskatchewan. Please visit International Student Program for more information about our International Student Program and how to apply.
What programs are offered at Regina Public Schools?
English Program
The English program is for students who want all classes instructed in English except for other language subjects.
French Immersion Program
The French Immersion program is for students who want to be instructed in French in all classes. English Language Arts starts in Grade 3. Students can begin the French Immersion program in either Kindergarten or Grade 1. Please see Languages for more information on our language programs.
Pre-Kindergarten
The Saskatchewan Ministry of Education's Pre-Kindergarten Program is a developmentally appropriate early childhood education program for three- and four-year-old children. Space is limited and children who would benefit most from enhanced programming are prioritized for enrolment. Regina Public Schools hosts a Pre-Kindergarten program in 24 of its elementary schools. There is no cost for this program.
Prekindergarten students attend a half-day of school, either morning or afternoon, Monday through Thursday. Parents are responsible for ensuring their child attends regularly and for providing transportation for their child both to and from school on time.
Families wanting to complete and submit a Pre-Kindergarten application for their child(ren) are encouraged to do so in spring (i.e. April, May, and June), over the summer, and by the end of August. After contacting the Regina Open Door Society if necessary (see How can I register my child for school? above), completed application forms should be submitted to the Pre-Kindergarten school that serves their catchment area as identified using the School Locator and Map of Regina Public Schools Pre-Kindergarten School Boundaries/Attendance Area
The review of application forms submitted begins in late June and continues in late August with families informed of student selection by the end of September.
Please visit Early Learning for more information on Pre-Kindergarten.
Kindergarten
The Kindergarten program builds on early learning principles with particular attention to the environment and the roles of conversation and play in children's learning experiences. The teacher facilitates inquiry through children's play. Environments are carefully designed to inspire children to wonder, ask questions, and be curious; promote the holistic nature of children's learning; and encourage independence, responsibility, and participation. Please visit Early Learning for more information on Kindergarten.
Regina Public Schools has a Kindergarten program in all elementary schools and offers full-day Kindergarten on alternating days in most schools. We welcome new Kindergarten students who will be five years of age or older on December 31st of the year they register.
Grades 1 to 8 (Elementary School)
Grades (Kindergarten to Grade 8) are determined by year of birth, not by grades previously completed in another country. EAL programming is determined by the individual student’s strengths and needs, and is identified by frequent, on-going assessment.
Pull-Out Support - EAL classes are offered in small group settings and are designed to increase students’ understanding of English grammar and vocabulary with a focus on developing communication skills. The number of sessions per week depends on the student’s level of English proficiency and the amount of EAL time assigned to the school. Group size is determined by the number of students at a similar level of English proficiency.
In-Class Support - EAL teachers may also provide some in-class EAL support arranged in collaboration with the classroom teacher. The classroom teacher focuses on content instruction, and the EAL teacher provides language support to the EAL students in the class based on the lesson content.
For more information on a provincial curriculum for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12, please see the Ministry of Education Saskatchewan Curriculum.
Grades 9 to 12 (High School)
Students will be placed into the final appropriate grade upon reviewing the student’s year of birth and transcripts. For placement in Grades 9 and 10, students are placed based on the year they were born, not by grades completed in other countries.
Eligibility for Grades 11 and 12 classes will be determined by previously attained credits. In some instances, students may be awarded “standing granted” credits by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education for Grades 10, 11 and 12 classes completed in another country. Grades 11 and 12 classes will be determined after transcripts have been assessed and credits have been granted by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education for classes completed in another country. An original transcript will be needed to make the transfer. Please see International Credit Transfer Guidelines for more information. In some cases, students are granted a Grade 10, 11 or 12 credit from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education even though their English proficiency is not at the high school level. In this case, the student will be required to take English as an Additional Language (EAL) classes to bridge the gap in their reading, writing and comprehension skills. This takes extra time, and the student might not complete Grades 10, 11 and 12 in three years.
Students are required to complete 24 credits to meet the requirements for Grade 12 graduation from the regular program as recognized by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education. These are a combination of compulsory and elective credits as outlined in High School Credit Options. High School classes are completed in two semesters each year: Semester One from September to January, and Semester Two from February to June.
One credit is equivalent to 100 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum percentage of 50. Therefore, students arriving late each semester will be eligible to attend some classes but may not receive credits for that semester.
If a student reaches 18 years of age during their time with Regina Public Schools, the student may transfer to the Allan Blakeney Adult Campus to complete their schooling.
Note: Due to Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association (SHSAA) eligibility rules, students may not be eligible to participate on a high school sports team based on date of enrolment and/or age.
For more information on a provincial curriculum for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12, please see the Ministry of Education Saskatchewan Curriculum.
