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Geaneria Green

Professor Wallace

English 101

29 October 2019

Comparison of elementary schools in the United States and Canada

Elementary education is one of the biggest discussions in the world. Education is taught

differently in the majority of countries. Although some countries may operate on the same

educational system they differ. The United States and Canada are two diverse countries;

therefore, they approach education in unique ways. Individuals may be interested in which

education system is of higher quality. Comparing American education to Canadian education

will be determined by curricula, grading scale and nutrition.

Pursuing a teaching career takes dedication and a positive attitude towards children. The

Canadian education system shows dedication to “provide your child with an enriching safe and

supportive learning environment” (“Elementary school in Canada”). Placing students in a safe

and supportive learning environment will help excel their learning ability. In Ontario public

elementary schools, they base their curricula on nine core subjects. Those nine subjects consist of

the arts, French as a second language, health, physical education, language, mathematics, music,

science and technology and social studies (“The Ontario Curriculum: Elementary”). Canadian

elementary schools typically start with preschool starting at age three and four. Following

preschool, there is junior kindergarten starting at age five and six. Students attend elementary

until age eleven completing grade level one through grade six before entering junior high school.
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Elementary education in the United States is designed for students to have “a good bit of

play and social interaction as children begin to learn letters, numbers and reading” (“The

American curriculum”).

In American elementary schools, there are subjects such as English, reading, social

studies, and science (“Time Spent Teaching Core Academics in Elementary Schools”). In

Montgomery County elementary schools, the curricula is “built around developing students”

critical and creative thinking skills, as well as, essential academic success skills, so that students

are well prepared for a lifetime of learning” (“Building a stronger foundation”). In Montgomery

County, the school system focuses on teaching children by connecting subjects for “students to

receive robust, engaging instruction across all subjects in the early grades (“Building a stronger

foundation”).

American and Canadian elementary schools follow a distinctive curriculum, but there are

aspects in their learning that are similar. The United States and Canada mutually start off with

elementary school. At age five or six in both Canada and the United States, students start their

primary learning. Both countries also are comparable in that they both show great compassion in

teaching their students a handful of knowledge in their early years. Similarly, both Canada and

the United States provide free education for 12 years.

Grading in American elementary schools was created to focus on a student’s

performance. Anne E. Moncure Elementary School in Stanford, Virginia uses a standard system

to grade students on their knowledge of language arts, social studies, science, mathematics, and

work/social habits. Teachers follow this academic code: four: exceeds standards, three: meets

standards, two: works towards standards, one: perform below standards, x: not accessed, +:

progression to the next level and *: modified instruction-see teacher comments. Educators
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believe the current grading system “provides detailed information to parents and students

regarding progress toward the mastery of important concepts and skills within each content area”

(“Report Cards and Grading Scale”). In most elementary school students receive report cards or

progress reports to help parents track their child’s educational growth.

Grading in Canadian schools is made to encourage “high level of achievement is the purpose of

assessments and evaluation” (Assessment, Evaluation, and reporting). Toronto public schools go

by a system of letter grades. Excellent, good, satisfactory, or needs improvement. Grading is

factored by six learning and skill habits. They are reasonability, organization, independent work,

collaboration, initiative, and self-regulation.

American and Canadian grading scales share similar grading styles. Sandford county

public schools, as well as Toronto school districts, follow a standard grading system. Both

School districts give report cards to show parents their child’s progression with topics they’ve

learned in school. Students in both Stanford schools and Toronto schools show a level of

compassion for students to excel and progress. Educators in both countries are also given the

opportunity to provide critical feedback on the students.

Although Toronto Public Schools and Sandford Public Schools share similarities, they

share compelling differences. In Stanford county public schools, no letter grades are giving out.

Sandford county public schools use a system of academic codes. However, Toronto public

schools you access on your understanding of six skills the students learned through the year and

in the classroom. In Toronto, Public Schools report cards are giving out once a school year with

two provincial reports. Report cards are given out at the end of the school year in November. The

first provincial report is giving out in February. The second is giving out in June.
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Research shows that American public schools show a great deal of passion for students

learning by providing parents a way to understand what their child is learning. School systems

across the United States use a system of academic codes, while also providing a detailed

explanation of each way their child is exceeding in that content area.

One elementary school in Toronto even prepares hot lunches for students three days a

week for a small fee. Students at Chester Elementary School also have the option of going home

for lunch or eating at school. Toronto School districts “require at least 80 percent of the food

served in school cafeterias to be fresh produce, whole grains, and extra-lean meats” (“A fresh

approach on the menu”). American schools are “Increase the amount and variety of fruits and

vegetables...” (Nutrition standards in schools”).

By contrast, American schools are working to make school lunches appealing and

healthy. School systems in the United States are working to “increase the amount and variety of

fruits and vegetables...” (Nutrition standards in schools”).

Right now, students are often served meals of pizza, french fries, hamburgers and

mozzarella sticks. In some schools, there is an emphasis on providing healthier options. For

instance, Burbank Elementary School in Belmont, Massachusetts offers a variety of lunch

options for its students. On November 4, 2019, students had “Grilled cheese with tomato soup,

steamed broccoli and diced pineapples” (“Elementary lunch menu November 2019”). Educators

find that provide healthy meals that students can enjoy will make happy healthy children.

Every elementary school in America follows a diverse lunch menu.

Canadian elementary schools and American schools share common strategic efforts when it

comes to food inside their elementary school. At Chester Elementary school they offer a hot

meal every day as well as they do at Burbank Elementary school. America and Canada equally
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show efforts to provide quality meals students will enjoy. American and Canadian schools follow

guidelines when creating and healthy and balanced lunch and breakfast meals. In Toronto School

districts “requires at least 80 percent of the food served in school cafeterias to be fresh produce,

whole grains, and extra-lean meats” (“A fresh approach”).

It is clear from the evidence provided that Canada has healthier and more appealing food

options.

America and Canada share compelling differences as well as similarities. Canada has

provided graceful evidence to demonstrate how they are more advanced than the united states.

Comparing American education to Canadian education will be determined by curricula, grading

scale and nutrition Canadian public school schools work towards, Providing quality healthy food

options incorporating food dishes with fruit and vegetable students will enjoy.
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Work Cited

Godoy, Maria. “This Is What America's School Lunches Really Look Like.”

NPR, NPR, 22 Nov. 2013,

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/11/20/246400702/this-is-what-america-s-

school-lunches-really-look-like.

Loo, Byrce. “Education in the United States of America.” WENR, 16 Apr. 2019,

https://wenr.wes.org/2018/06/education-in-the-united-states-of-america.

“Montgomery County Public Schools.” Curriculum 2.0 - Montgomery County

Public

Schools, Rockville, MD, https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/2.0/.

Levin, Ben. “Comparing Canada and the U.S. on Education.” Education Week - The Futures of

School Reform, 5 Apr. 2011,

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/futures_of_reform/2011/04/comparing_canada_and_the_us_on_

education.html.

Elementary Lunch Menu November 2019,

www.belmont.k12.ma.us/bps/Portals/0/docs/food/lunch/2020/November%202019%20-

%20elem.pdf?ver=2019-10-31-130722-267.

“Subjects and Learning.” Toronto District School Board,

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/Elementary-School/The-Classroom/Subjects-and-Learning.
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“Report Cards & Grading Scale / Report Cards & Grading Scales.” Report Cards

& Grading Scale / Report Cards & Grading Scales,

https://www.staffordschools.net/Domain/4426.

Khoo, Isabelle. “Heres What Canadian Kids Are Really Eating For Lunch.”

HuffPost Canada, HuffPost Canada, 22 Sept. 2017,

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2017/09/21/canada-kids-lunches_a_23218418/.