International students can join Canadian public and private high schools from Grade 9 to Grade 12, living with a screened host family or in a boarding house. Here is why each option is worth considering, the reason behind it, the result for your child, and the full cost.
Public school districts run international programs from Grade 9 to graduation, with certified teachers, recognised provincial diplomas and classes alongside Canadian students.
| School board | Province | Tuition | Homestay | Other fees | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coquitlam SD43 | BC | 18,500 | Via providers | Application 300; insurance included | CAPS-I |
| Burnaby SD41 | BC | 17,500 | Via providers | Application 250; airport 150 | CAPS-I |
| Vancouver School Board | BC | 17,000 | Via agency | Application 400; English test 100; insurance 1,400 | VSB |
| North Vancouver SD44 | BC | 17,000 | Approved homestay | Application 300; medical 1,000 | SD44 |
| Toronto DSB | ON | 17,000 | Via providers | Application 400; medical 500 | TDSB |
| Ottawa-Carleton DSB | ON | 15,800 | 15,843 / 10 mo. | Application 400; medical 600 | OCDSB |
| Calgary Board of Education | AB | 13,500 | ~17,104 / year | Application 250; health 550 | CBE |
| Edmonton Public Schools | AB | 13,500 | 16,290 / 10 mo. | Application 250; health 550 | CAPS-I |
| Winnipeg School Division | MB | 13,500 | 1,200 / month | Application 350; health 600 | CAPS-I |
| Nova Scotia ISP | NS | 10,500 | 950 / month | Application 475; orientation 200; insurance 800 | CAPS-I |
Private schools offer smaller classes, structured study time and, at boarding schools, supervised residence life on campus.
CAIS schools are measured against national standards. Each completes a self-study and an external peer review, with accreditation visits every five years, so quality is checked continuously.
Students get a private bedroom, meals and daily support from a host family. Expect about CAD 950–1,700 a month, plus a one-time placement fee (Canada Homestay Network charges 300, plus 130 a month for monitoring minors).
A custodian is a responsible adult who looks after a minor's wellbeing, handles emergencies and works with the school. Ottawa, Edmonton and Winnipeg include it in their packages.
The age of majority is 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, PEI, Quebec and Saskatchewan, and 19 in BC, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia.
| Province | Diploma | Requirements | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | OSSD | 30 credits, literacy requirement, 40 hours of community involvement, 2 online credits | ontario.ca |
| British Columbia | Dogwood Diploma | 80 credits (16 at Grade 12), Indigenous-focused course, numeracy and literacy assessments | gov.bc.ca |
| Alberta | Alberta High School Diploma | 100+ credits including English 30 and Social Studies 30 | EPSB |
105 public school districts, 30 private schools and 30 CAIS schools. Each has its own page explaining why to choose it, what sets it apart, what it costs and what the student gains.