Conseil des écoles publiques de l’est de l’ontario
- Why
- Dual-language diploma · Sports and arts
- Because
- Bilingualism certificate · International Baccalaureate (IB) · Sports-Studies
- Result
- Language advantage · Focused high school years · Predictable budget
- Benefit
- Premium · CAD 1,500 above the median, with IB and homestay
- Cost
- CAD 33,800 (estimated first-year total) · about CAD 3,380 per school month
Why Conseil des écoles publiques de l’est de l’ontario?
Families who want a French-language public school without a religious identity often research this board. It runs 44 schools and serves about 18,000 students in Ottawa, a city where both official languages are spoken. Its international student program started in 2013.
- Dual-language diploma: Students who want to document their bilingualism alongside their high school diploma.
- Sports and arts: Students who want to combine an academic program with intensive sports or arts training.
- Short trial: A three-month program for families who want to test the French-language environment first.
Reasons: a bilingualism certificate and specialized programs
- Bilingualism certificate: Students earn it together with the OSSD, so they can show French and English proficiency with an official document.
- International Baccalaureate (IB): Students with high academic goals can follow an international curriculum taught in French.
- Sports-Studies: Covers football, basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, skiing, tennis and swimming. Student-athletes train alongside their regular classes. Golf, skating and dance are also included.
- Fine arts: Covers visual and media arts, dance, music, theatre, and film and television. Students with artistic talent can start building a portfolio in high school.
- Specialist High Skills Major: Offers specialization in arts and culture, transportation, business, health and the environment, so students can explore a career field early.
- Accommodation: Families placed through Canada Homestay Network and Canadian Accommodation Services provide a private room and three meals a day, so the daily routine is set from the start. Students can also use the shared areas of the home.
- Seven high schools: International students are accepted at seven schools, so placement can match their interests.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 17,000 | $17,200 |
| Application fee | 300 | $300 |
| Health insurance | 500 | $500 |
| Homestay, 10 months at CAD 1,600 | 16,000 | Placement: $500 (refundable deposit); Homestay Monthly Fee: $1,600 (Homestay fees must be paid directly to Canada Homestay Network / Canadian Accommodation Services); Custodianship: included as is airport pick up and drop off |
| Custodianship fee | 0 / included | |
| Estimated first-year total | 33,800 | Tuition, the listed fees, insurance and homestay for one school year. |
Tuition alone works out to about CAD 1,700 per school month over a 10-month year. With homestay and the listed fees, the year comes to about CAD 3,380 per month.
The district's own website lists CAD 17,000 for the 2026–27 school year, while its CAPS-I page shows CAD 17,200. This page uses the figure from the district's website.
The district has also published CAD 17,200 for the 2027–28 school year.
The other items are taken from the district's CAPS-I member page, read on 11 October 2026. Items shown as "see text" could not be read as a single amount and are left out of the total.
How this fee compares
At CAD 17,000, this fee is CAD 1,500 above the median of CAD 15,500 among 32 public school districts in Ontario.
Outcome: a strong French speaker with documented bilingualism
- Language advantage: Students study in French in a bilingual city, so they use both languages in daily life.
- Focused high school years: High school can be tied to a specific goal through sports, arts, health or environment programs. Preparatory and health programs are also options. Students can attend for a full year, one semester or three months.
- Predictable budget: Annual tuition is CAD 15,000, and one semester costs CAD 7,500, so families can plan costs in advance. Guardianship and airport pick-up and drop-off services are reported to be included.
- Small international group: About 40 international students attend, so students spend more time with local peers. The nearest airport is Ottawa International Airport.
Benefit analysis: what the investment buys
The student works toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) plus International Baccalaureate (IB), Engineering and Robotics, taught and assessed by certified Canadian teachers.
Instruction in French gives full immersion in a second official language of Canada.
A screened homestay family provides a private room, meals and daily support, and the district monitors the placement.
Fine Arts, Sports Academies, Environment and Sustainability and Trades and Technology let the student build a profile beyond grades.
A Canadian transcript, teacher references and extracurricular record that Canadian and international universities review directly.
Cost–benefit at a glance
| Measure | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Annual investment | CAD 33,800 | Estimated first-year total, from the cost analysis above |
| Per school month | CAD 3,380 | Over a 10-month school year |
| Price position | +CAD 1,500 | vs. median CAD 15,500 · 32 public school districts in Ontario |
| Specialty programs | 9 | International Baccalaureate (IB), Engineering, Robotics, Health Sciences and Fine Arts |
| Living arrangement | Homestay | Included in the cost analysis where the school publishes it |
| Language support | Immersion | No separate ESL program in our data; we confirm with the school |
| Value verdict | Premium |
CAD 1,500 above the median across 32 public school districts in Ontario. The higher price is worth it when the student will use what it pays for: IB, homestay, Fine Arts and Sports Academies.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Language level: Classes are taught in French. A student without a solid French foundation may take a long time to adjust. The student's French level should be assessed realistically before applying, starting with the three-month program if needed.
- Extra costs and deadlines: There is a CAD 300 application fee and a CAD 550 annual health insurance fee. Accommodation costs vary by provider. Applications close on May 31 and November 30. Current fees should be confirmed with the school before applying.
Let us identify together which CEPEO program suits your child. Plan your free preliminary consultation with Canadian Edu Centre now.