What grading system is used in Canadian schools?

The grading system in Canadian schools is designed to evaluate students’ academic performance and provide feedback on their understanding of the course material. While grading practices may vary slightly from one province to another, most Canadian schools use a combination of percentage grades and letter grades.

1. Percentage Grades
Percentage grades are commonly used in schools across Canada. For example:

• 90–100% = Excellent

• 80–89% = Very Good

• 70–79% = Good

• 60–69% = Satisfactory

• Below 50% = Failing

The pass mark is usually 50% or 60%, depending on the province.

2. Letter Grades
Letter grades often accompany percentage scores and provide a quick overview of performance:

• A (Excellent) = 85–100%

• B (Good) = 70–84%

• C (Average) = 60–69%

• D (Below Average/Pass) = 50–59%

• F (Fail) = Below 50%

Some schools may use plus (+) or minus (–) signs to give more precise assessments (e.g., B+, A–).

3. GPA (Grade Point Average)
In high school and especially in universities, grades are often converted into a GPA. The GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale, where:

• A = 4.0

• B = 3.0

• C = 2.0

• D = 1.0

• F = 0.0

Each university may have its own formula for calculating GPA, especially for admission or scholarships.

4. Report Cards and Feedback
Students receive report cards multiple times per year—usually 2 or 3 times in elementary and secondary school. Report cards often include:

• Percentage and letter grades

• Teacher comments

• Learning skills assessments (e.g., participation, responsibility, collaboration)

5. Provincial Differences
While the grading system is generally consistent, some provinces use levels or descriptors in elementary school instead of marks. For example:

• Ontario uses “Level 1 to Level 4” to describe performance.

• British Columbia uses “Emerging, Developing, Proficient, Extending” for younger students.

Conclusion
The Canadian grading system combines percentages, letter grades, and sometimes descriptive levels, depending on the province and grade level. These methods help measure a student’s academic progress and readiness for the next stage of education.