In the past, some provinces in Canada offered an optional 13th year of high school called “grade 13.” However, grade 13 was phased out across most of Canada by the early 2000s. So is grade 13 still offered anywhere today? Let’s take a closer look.
What was grade 13?
Grade 13 was an extra year of high school that was typically taken by students intending to go to university. It allowed students to take more advanced courses and improve their grades before applying to post-secondary education. Grade 13 was eliminated in Ontario in 2003. Here is a quick overview of what grade 13 entailed:
- Optional extra year of high school after completing grade 12
- Offered advanced academic courses to prepare for university
- Allowed students to retake courses to improve grades
- Provided guidance for university applications
- Existed in most Canadian provinces until phased out in early 2000s
By taking grade 13, students could improve their readiness for university studies. However, it also postponed graduation and entry into post-secondary education or the workforce by one year. Critics argued this delay was unnecessary and that students should transition more quickly from high school to higher education or careers.
Why was grade 13 eliminated?
There were several factors that led provinces to phase out grade 13 over the 1990s and early 2000s:
- Grade 13 was seen as an unnecessary delay before post-secondary education or work
- Academic streaming and preparation could take place within the existing K-12 system
- High school curriculum was reformed to offer more advanced academic options
- University entrance requirements changed from specific grade 13 courses to a broader set of academic prerequisites
- Education budgets were strained and grade 13 was costly to maintain
Overall, grade 13 came to be viewed as an outdated model. Maintaining an entirely separate extra year of high school was no longer considered the best approach. Provinces sought to modernize the education system by eliminating grade 13 and enhancing advanced learning opportunities within the standard K-12 curriculum.
When did each province eliminate grade 13?
Grade 13 was phased out across Canada over the span of about 15 years. Here is a summary of when each province officially eliminated grade 13:
| Province | Year Grade 13 Eliminated |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | 1983 |
| Alberta | 1984 |
| Manitoba | 1986 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | 1987 |
| New Brunswick | 1991 |
| Prince Edward Island | 1992 |
| Saskatchewan | 1994 |
| Nova Scotia | 1995 |
| Ontario | 2003 |
| Quebec | Not applicable |
As shown, British Columbia and Alberta led the way by eliminating grade 13 in the early 1980s. Most other provinces followed over the next two decades, with Ontario being the last province to eliminate grade 13 in 2003.
Does anywhere still have grade 13 today?
Today, grade 13 no longer exists anywhere in Canada. The last province to eliminate it was Ontario in 2003. However, one educational model that bears some similarities is:
- Quebec CEGEP – After grade 11, students can attend a CEGEP (general and vocational college) for 2-3 years before entering university. This provides additional academic preparation and career/technical training. But it is not considered an extra year of high school.
Outside of Quebec’s CEGEP system, there are no more grade 13 equivalents in Canada. All provinces now have a 12-year K-12 school system leading directly to post-secondary education or the workplace.
How does the current system differ?
Today’s education system differs from the former grade 13 model in several key ways:
- No delay – Students graduate after grade 12 and can immediately transition to post-secondary education or careers.
- Enriched curriculum – Challenging academic courses are offered within the standard K-12 system, including AP and IB programs.
- Flexible admissions – University admissions requirements allow students to apply with a broad set of academic credentials earned in grades 11-12.
- Lower cost – Eliminating the extra grade 13 year reduces the overall cost of public education.
The modernized system provides enriched academic opportunities within the existing K-12 structure. Students can take advanced courses, improve grades, and prepare for higher education without needing to extend their high school studies by an extra year.
Conclusion
Grade 13 was phased out across Canada by the early 2000s. While it previously offered an extra year of high school to prepare for post-secondary education, it was criticized as being redundant and delaying graduation. Today, all Canadian provinces have transitioned to a 12-year K-12 school system. Challenging academic courses and flexible university admissions requirements have made the former grade 13 model obsolete. For today’s students interested in higher education, the goal is to maximize opportunities within the standard four years of high school and avoid extending their studies unnecessarily. While an extra year of high school was once commonplace, grade 13 ultimately proved to be one year too many.