Overview of the General Education System

Yukon, a territory of Canada, has an education system that has historically been influenced by federal frameworks and the neighbouring province of British Columbia, whose curriculum is adopted mainly for Yukon students. The current education system begins with Kindergarten at age five or six. After this level, students transition through Grades 1 to 12.

The Yukon Department of Education is responsible for Kindergarten to Grade 12 public schooling, serving more than 5,000 students across 28 schools, almost half of which are in rural communities outside the capital, Whitehorse. Significantly, more than 50% of rural students identify as belonging to one of Yukon’s 14 First Nations, which embodies the deep cultural diversity of the territory. Although no schools are yet fully controlled by First Nations governments, negotiations are ongoing to increase Indigenous self-governance in education.

Meanwhile, language of instruction is delivered through English, French Immersion, and French First Language. This means that instruction remains primarily English, but significant emphasis is placed on French and Indigenous language instruction, which the Yukon Native Language Centre supports. For those in remote areas, Yukon has pioneered innovative approaches. Since 2013, the Aurora Virtual School has provided distance education and blended learning to combine traditional face-to-face instruction with digital tools to expand access.

Beyond the public system, alternative schooling options include home education and specialized support for students with diverse learning needs.

Compulsory education in Yukon covers ages five or six through 16, which means schooling is mandatory for at least ten years. The system begins with Kindergarten, followed by primary school (Grades 1–7), junior secondary (Grades 8–9), and senior secondary (Grades 10–12). Early childhood education before Kindergarten is open but not mandatory.

Graduation requirements are similar to British Columbia’s education program, wherein students receive the British Columbia Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma) or its French equivalent. This structure provides students with access to both Canadian universities and vocational training opportunities, while also supporting career entry.

Higher education in Yukon is mainly structured around Yukon University, the territory’s only public university. It operates 13 campuses, including the main Ayamdigut campus in Whitehorse and 12 community campuses across rural areas. The university provides broad access to career and job training, academic upgrading, vocational programs, part-time continuing education, and degree-level studies.

In detail, Yukon University organizes its programs into eight schools. It includes Management, Trades and Technology, Liberal Arts, Academic and Skill Development, Science, Community Education and Development, Continuing Education and Training, and Health, Education and Human Services. Programs range from one-year certificates and two-year diplomas to degree-level studies. Credit transfer is highly flexible as Yukon is part of the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT). This council allows complete portability of credits to British Columbia’s universities. Transfer agreements also exist with Alberta institutions and, through block transfers and individual arrangements, with other Canadian and U.S. universities.

Yukon University has been granted degree-awarding powers and continues to offer many programs in partnership with outside institutions. For example, the Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Social Work are delivered with the University of Regina, while the Bachelor of Science is offered with the University of Alberta. Graduate programs, such as the Master of Public Administration and Master of Business Administration, are run in collaboration with the University of Alaska Southeast. In the arts, the Yukon School of Visual Arts, operated with the Klondike Institute of Art and Culture and the Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in First Nation, which offers a foundation year transferable to leading Canadian art schools.

Furthermore, there are also specialised centres such as the Yukon Native Language Centre that further expand opportunities. This center has offered a two-year certificate program for Indigenous language instructors since 1977. Many of Yukon’s academic offerings include a Northern and Indigenous focus, such as Renewable Resources Management, Northern Justice and Criminology, and Environmental and Conservation Sciences. This ensures that programs are relevant to local needs while aligning with national and international academic standards.

Higher education falls under the supervision of the Advanced Education Branch of the Department of Education, which also regulates apprenticeships and student financial assistance.