Frequently Asked Questions

Newcomers and International Students: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question about being a Newcomer or International Student? Review the following list of frequently asked questions to get an answer. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, contact the Newcomer Support Centre at (506) 444-3573.

Registration

We are newcomers to the Greater Fredericton Area. Where do I register my child(ren)?

For children born outside of Canada or if the language spoken at home is not English, families are asked to make an appointment to register children for school at the Newcomer Support. The Newcomer Support Centre (NSC) is located at 575 George St. (Regent St. Entrance) Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 1K2 (ASD-W International Students)

Who should register at the Newcomer Support Centre?

If you live in the Greater Fredericton Area:

Kindergarten to Grade 12 students born in Canada who DO NOT speak English as their home language.
Kindergarten to Grade 12 students born outside Canada, regardless of language spoken at home.

How do I begin the registration process?

Request a pre-registration form at [email protected]

What documents are required to register my child for school?

The parent or legal guardian must be present to provide the following original documents:

Student’s original Birth Certificate
Proof of legal status in Canada (for both parents and child(ren))

For new immigrant/worker/student/refugee/diplomat please bring:

Permanent Residence Card/Confirmation of Permanent Residence document and passport
Work Permit and passport – with parent(s)’ employment letter
Study Permit and passport – with parent(s)’ program admission letter that indicates the parent is a full-time student at a designated learning institution
Refugee Claimant Paper

Diplomatic Card and passport

For Canadian(s), please bring:

Passport and Citizenship Card and Birth Certificate
Proof of Address (purchase or rental agreement or recent utility, cable, or telephone bill)
Proof of Immunization (records since birth with certified English translation)

Proof of Medicare (a receipt from Service New Brunswick that you have applied for Medicare also serves as proof) or medical insurance for the duration of studies
Previous School Record (with certified English translation, if available)
Other relevant documentation involving guardianship or custody (Custodianship declaration form can be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/minor-children.html , a sample consent letter for children travelling abroad can be found https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter )http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/custodian-parent.pdf, etc.

Please bring these documents with you to your registration appointment and we will make copies for the student file(s). Any missing documents may delay the registration process.

What can I expect to happen at my registration appointment?

We will check to ensure children are eligible to study by looking at immigration documents.
We will help the family fill out the school registration forms.
We will share information about our schools and our programming.
We will schedule intake language assessments for children grades 6-12.

Do I need to bring my child with me when I come to register for school?

Yes, you need to bring your child to the initial registration appointment. We encourage one or both parents to come for registration as the paperwork involved can take up to 1 hour to complete. Your child may be scheduled for an assessment after registration is complete, or during your appointment depending on assessor availability.

Can I register a student by telephone, fax, or e-mail?

The Newcomer Support Centre and schools do not accept applications by telephone, fax, or e-mail, as staff need to verify the authenticity of documentation. We request legal translations for documents that are not written in English.

Why do I have to register my child at the Newcomer Support Centre?

We would like to provide families with a welcoming transition to school in the Greater Fredericton Area. In doing so, we will also ensure that students have the necessary legal status in Canada to attend publicly funded education in New Brunswick. We will also schedule a language assessment to support decisions around programming. Finally, we would like to learn about the prior schooling history of your children to determine if additional supports are required.

We will be arriving in Fredericton after the school year has begun. How soon can I register my child for school? Is there a deadline for registration?

For new immigrants/temporary foreign workers/students/refugees/diplomats

Families can register their child(ren) for school as soon as permanent housing in New Brunswick has been secured. ASD-W offers continuous enrollment and registration for new students year-round. Students who enroll after the beginning of the school year may need to be accommodated in a school that is not their catchment school if there are space limitations until the beginning of the next school year. Please contact [email protected] for a pre-registration form to confirm your registration appointment.

For international fee paying students

Registration of students who require a study permit occurs in September and in late January. Contact [email protected] to learn more.

If I register my child during July and August, will it take a long time?

The Newcomer Support Centre is closed from the last week of June until the first week of August. It is critical for families to schedule an appointment with the Newcomer Support Centre to ensure someone is available to complete school registration.

My child is already registered in a Greater Fredericton Area school. Do I need to register my child for the move from elementary to middle school/high school?

There is no need for a new registration. Moving to the next grade will be done automatically by school administration.

My child is already attending a school in the Anglophone West School District, but we are moving to another area within the school district. What do I need to do?

Changing address during the school year:

Refer to https://asdwbp.nbed.nb.ca/Eligibility.aspx?Page=School to determine if your child’s school will change based on the new address and which school they will now attend. If the school does not change simply advise the current school of the new address.

If the new address does require a change in school, visit the new school with proof of the new address to fill out the necessary documents. They will confirm if space is available at their new school and provide a date to begin classes there.

Your new school will notify your old school and arrange to transfer the student records.

Changing address during the summer:

If the new address is outside the current school’s catchment area, families need to wait for the new catchment school to reopen at the end of August to update their address and complete the necessary documentation as indicated above.

If the new address is in the same school’s catchment area, families can update their address with the school when they reopen at the end of August.

How old does my child have to be in order to register for Kindergarten?

Children must be five years old before December 31 to be eligible to start school in September of that calendar year. (For example, a student born in 2013 before December 31 of that year is eligible for Kindergarten starting September 2018.)

Documentation

Can I register my child if I don’t have all the documents?

The registration cannot be completed and your child will not be able to attend school until all requested documents have been submitted.

Do I need to translate all the documents into English?

We ask that, whenever possible, all documents be translated into English before registering.

What does “proof of address” mean?

If you are renting an apartment or house, you can bring your lease agreement. If you own your home, you can bring your New Brunswick Property Tax Assessment or a copy of your Purchase and Sale Agreement. In either case, you can provide a recent utility bill with your name and address on it. We will also accept a recent bank statement with your name and address on it.

I don’t have a permanent address yet. Can my child go to school?

You can register for school as soon as you have confirmed a permanent residence. For example, if you have purchased a home or signed a rental agreement for a future date, you can register for school even before you have officially moved in. You would be registered in the school located in the catchment area of your new home. Transportation would be the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian until you have moved into the new home.

If I work in Fredericton but live outside the city, can my child go to school in Fredericton?

If the residence is within the Anglophone West School District a family can complete an Intra-District School Placement to apply for a child to be registered in a school outside the residential catchment area. Individual schools will determine if there is space to accommodate the request at that school. Acceptance in an out of boundary school is not guaranteed and students can be asked to return to their original catchment school at any point in the school year should capacity issues arise. Transportation to and from school would be the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian in this situation.

Why do students have to provide school report cards or transcripts?

School report cards or transcripts are very important documents used by school administrators to better understand the student’s educational background and to help them make appropriate decisions regarding programs and courses.

If I have adopted a child, have no birth certificate and the adoption papers contain sensitive information. What document(s) can I provide?

There are several ways to address this concern. We can copy only the portion of the adoption paper identifying the child’s name and the legal guardian’s name. We can also copy other relevant documents that show the relationship of the child and his/her legal guardian.

Eligibility

Are school-age students who have refugee status eligible for a publicly funded education?

Yes. A student who resides in New Brunswick and who has made a claim for refugee status is eligible for a publicly funded education.

Does my child have to pay tuition to attend school?

The Anglophone West School District follows policies identified by the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood to determine a student’s eligibility to study in one of our schools as a non-fee paying student. Please refer to the questions below for some more detailed information about the eligibility of a publicly funded education.

My parents do not live in New Brunswick. Do I have to pay tuition fees if I want to attend school in the Anglophone West School District?

According to the Education Act, only children living with a parent/legal guardian in N.B. can attend school without paying fees. If you do not have one parent living with you full-time, even if you are a Canadian citizen or a landed immigrant, please register at the Newcomer Support Centre. You will be required to pay tuition fees.

I have a Study Permit to study in Canada. Can my child study in New Brunswick without paying tuition fees?

For your child to go to school without paying tuition:

The child’s parent/guardian’s study permit must be for the duration of their official course of studies, AND

The child’s parent/guardian must be enrolled in a degree or diploma program at a publicly funded institution or in a degree program at a private post-second

Newcomers and International Students: Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

We are newcomers to the Greater Fredericton Area. Where do I register my child(ren)?

Who should register at the Newcomer Support Centre?

If you live in the Greater Fredericton Area:

Kindergarten to Grade 12 students born in Canada who DO NOT speak English as their home language.
Kindergarten to Grade 12 students born outside Canada, regardless of language spoken at home.

How do I begin the registration process?

Request a pre-registration form at [email protected]

What documents are required to register my child for school?

The parent or legal guardian must be present to provide the following original documents:

Student’s original Birth Certificate
Proof of legal status in Canada (for both parents and child(ren))

For new immigrant/worker/student/refugee/diplomat please bring:

Permanent Residence Card/Confirmation of Permanent Residence document and passport
Work Permit and passport – with parent(s)’ employment letter
Study Permit and passport – with parent(s)’ program admission letter that indicates the parent is a full-time student at a designated learning institution
Refugee Claimant Paper

Diplomatic Card and passport

For Canadian(s), please bring:

Passport and Citizenship Card and Birth Certificate
Proof of Address (purchase or rental agreement or recent utility, cable, or telephone bill)
Proof of Immunization (records since birth with certified English translation)

Proof of Medicare (a receipt from Service New Brunswick that you have applied for Medicare also serves as proof) or medical insurance for the duration of studies
Previous School Record (with certified English translation, if available)
Other relevant documentation involving guardianship or custody (Custodianship declaration form can be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/prepare/minor-children.html , a sample consent letter for children travelling abroad can be found https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter )http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/custodian-parent.pdf, etc.

Please bring these documents with you to your registration appointment and we will make copies for the student file(s). Any missing documents may delay the registration process.

What can I expect to happen at my registration appointment?

We will check to ensure children are eligible to study by looking at immigration documents.
We will help the family fill out the school registration forms.
We will share information about our schools and our programming.
We will schedule intake language assessments for children grades 3-12.
We will make an arrangement for child’s entry to their new school and schedule the school start date.

Do I need to bring my child with me when I come to register for school?

Can I register a student by telephone, fax, or e-mail?

Why do I have to register my child at the Newcomer Support Centre?

We will be arriving in Fredericton after the school year has begun. How soon can I register my child for school? Is there a deadline for registration?

For new immigrants/temporary foreign workers/students/refugees/diplomats

For international fee paying students

Registration of students who require a study permit occurs in September and in late January. Contact [email protected] to learn more.

If I register my child during July and August, will it take a long time?

My child is already registered in a Greater Fredericton Area school. Do I need to register my child for the move from elementary to middle school/high school?

There is no need for a new registration. Moving to the next grade will be done automatically by school administration.

My child is already attending a school in the Anglophone West School District, but we are moving to another area within the school district. What do I need to do?

Changing address during the school year:

Refer to https://asdwbp.nbed.nb.ca/Eligibility.aspx?Page=School to determine if your child’s school will change based on the new address and which school they will now attend. If the school does not change simply advise the current school of the new address.

If the new address does require a change in school, visit the new school with proof of the new address to fill out the necessary documents. They will confirm if space is available at their new school and provide a date to begin classes there.

Your new school will notify your old school and arrange to transfer the student records.

Changing address during the summer:

If the new address is outside the current school’s catchment area, families need to wait for the new catchment school to reopen at the end of August to update their address and complete the necessary documentation as indicated above.

If the new address is in the same school’s catchment area, families can update their address with the school when they reopen at the end of August.

How old does my child have to be in order to register for Kindergarten?

Documentation

Can I register my child if I don’t have all the documents?

The registration cannot be completed and your child will not be able to attend school until all requested documents have been submitted.

Do I need to translate all the documents into English?

We ask that, whenever possible, all documents be translated into English before registering.

What does “proof of address” mean?

I don’t have a permanent address yet. Can my child go to school?

If I work in Fredericton but live outside the city, can my child go to school in Fredericton?

Why do students have to provide school report cards or transcripts?

If I have adopted a child, have no birth certificate and the adoption papers contain sensitive information. What document(s) can I provide?

Eligibility

Are school-age students who have refugee status eligible for a publicly funded education?

Yes. A student who resides in New Brunswick and who has made a claim for refugee status is eligible for a publicly funded education.

Does my child have to pay tuition to attend school?

My parents do not live in New Brunswick. Do I have to pay tuition fees if I want to attend school in the Anglophone West School District?

I have a Study Permit to study in Canada. Can my child study in New Brunswick without paying tuition fees?

For your child to go to school without paying tuition:

The child’s parent/guardian’s study permit must be for the duration of their official course of studies, AND

The child’s parent/guardian must be enrolled in a degree or diploma program at a publicly funded institution or in a degree program at a private post-secondary institution in N.B. Here is a list of institutions that would fall under Section 12 of the Regulation. This was developed with assistance and clarification from PETL:

an educational institution designated under the Degree Granting Act (Yorkville University and the University of Fredericton),
an educational institution, as defined in the Degree Granting Act, that is established under an Act of the Legislature (University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison University, St. Thomas University, Université de Fredericton, Crandall University, Kingswood University and St. Stephen’s University and The New Brunswick Bible Institute).
an institution established or operated under the Adult Education and Training Act (i.e. New Brunswick College of Craft and Design),
Maritime College of Forest Technology,

the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB),
the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC),

It should be noted that there are other educational institutions in the province, which are under the Private Occupational Training Act (POTA). As these institutions are under POTA, and POTA is not one of the acts mentioned under Section 12 of the Regulation, dependent children of parents attending those institutions would not be eligible for free school privileges.

The Private Occupational Training Act (Act) governs private college institutions. The Act excludes the registration of language schools and religious schools.

A current list of POTA institutions is available here

If I have a Work Permit to work in Canada, can my child go to school without paying tuition fees? Do I need a Study Permit for my child?

For a child to go to school without paying tuition:

the child’s parent/legal guardian(s) must have a valid work permit issued by IRCC that is valid for a term of one year or more, AND
the child’s parent/legal guardian(s) must be employed in NB, AND
the child’s parent/legal guardian(s) must be a resident of New Brunswick

If the parent obtains a work/study permit the child(ren) do(es) not need his or her own Study Permit.

What if I am unsuccessful in getting a Study Permit and I have prepaid tuition, can this be refunded?

Tuition is refunded by the same method of payment and to the same person who originally paid. Please note the Application fee of $250CDN is not refundable.

Placement

Which school is best for my child?

Each school has its own unique culture; however all schools deliver curriculum required by the New Brunswick Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

How do you determine what grade my child will go into?

Students will normally be placed in their age appropriate grade level:

Grade placement based on age of the student as of December 31st

Grade K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Age 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

International students will be placed in a regular academic program and may receive English as an Additional Language (EAL) support based on assessment results and available programs.

What happens after I register my child at the Newcomer Support Centre?

After you have registered your child at the Newcomer Support Centre, we will forward your child’s file to your neighborhood school. You can expect your child to be in classes at their new school in a timely manner following registration and assessments.

How long does my child have to wait after registering before he or she can go to school?

Students will usually be able to join classes at their new school within 1 to 2 weeks of their initial registration appointment. Each transition to school is unique and we wish to ensure a successful school entry. It is important to remember that the registration is not complete until all required documents have been submitted.

What happens if a school is full and my child’s name is on a waiting list?

If a grade or school is full and your child’s name is on a waiting list, he or she will be placed in another school per district approval. A student can transfer to their catchment school when a space becomes available, or they may choose to wait until the beginning of the following school year. Transportation will be arranged for the student by the district if your child is placed in a school that is more than 2.4 km from your residence.

If my child has a special learning need, what do I need to do?

If your child has special learning needs, bring all available medical records, psycho-educational assessments, Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to the Newcomer Support Centre when you register your child. If you do not have these records, we will ask you to sign a form giving us permission to request them. We will send these records to your child’s school principal who will work with you to identify required support systems to support your child.

English Support

What happens if my child has little or no English?

Your child’s English language skills will be assessed at the Newcomer Support Centre through our intake assessments. Extra language support will be provided, if required, by teaching staff at your child’s school.

Do all elementary schools have an English Language Learner (ELL) program?

All elementary schools have English as an Additional Language Mentors to support student needs. The degree of support varies based on individual needs.

Do all High Schools have an ELL program?

High Schools have EAL classes or EAL Mentors who support language acquisition.

School Fees

What fees are charged by the school?

Please refer to your child’s school website for information on school fees. This information may also be available to you at your child’s registration appointment. Please see the school directory to find the school website where fees may be posted or consult available school supply lists for the Fredericton Education Centre, Oromocto Education Centre, or Woodstock Education Centre.

Transportation

Is transportation available for my child?

As per New Brunswick Education Act – Regulation 2001-51, the following students are eligible for school bus transportation:

for those public school students who live farther than 2.4 km from their zone school; and
for those public school students who live 1.5 km down a side road from the closest bus stop location.

Parents are responsible for the safety of their children to and from the school bus stop. School bus drivers also have the right to determine in inclement weather whether to travel on a particular road. School bus routes and stops are subject to change according to the needs of operational requirements. You can check to see if your child is eligible for bussing here.

Graduation Requirements

What qualifications does my child need in order to graduate from High School in New Brunswick?

Students are required to fulfill the requirements set by the Department of Education for graduation. You can find the High School course selection guide here which has information on the High School Graduation requirements (Page 4).

School Calendar

Where can I get information about school holidays?

Click here for the school calendar.

Parent Involvement in School

How can I be involved in my child’s education?

Parents and local community members dedicate time, energy, and enthusiasm to school projects and they are the backbone of many special programs and initiatives. If you have even just a little bit of free time, why not become a school volunteer? There are many ways you can get involved. You can volunteer to work directly with students, or behind the scenes as a committee member or staff support. Here are just a few ideas of how you could get involved and support education in your community:

Coach sports
Support the breakfast program
Be a reading buddy
Become a mentor
Join the Home & School Association or Parent School Support Committee (PSSC)

Help at special events
Lead an after-school club

ary institution in N.B. Here is a list of institutions that would fall under Section 12 of the Regulation. This was developed with assistance and clarification from PETL:

an educational institution designated under the Degree Granting Act (Yorkville University and the University of Fredericton),
an educational institution, as defined in the Degree Granting Act, that is established under an Act of the Legislature (University of New Brunswick, Mount Allison University, St. Thomas University, Université de Fredericton, Crandall University, Kingswood University and St. Stephen’s University and The New Brunswick Bible Institute).
an institution established or operated under the Adult Education and Training Act (i.e. New Brunswick College of Craft and Design),
Maritime College of Forest Technology,

the Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB),
the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC),