CECCE – Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est
- Why
- Bilingual goal · Life in the capital
- Because
- French as the language of instruction · Wide school network · International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Result
- Language gain · Academic options · Clear budget
- Benefit
- Mid-market price · at the median, with IB and homestay
- Cost
- CAD 16,650 (total of the published items, without homestay) · about CAD 1,665 per school month
Why CECCE – Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est?
Families who want their child to learn French seriously but prefer to study in Ontario rather than Quebec look at this board. It has about 31,000 students, and most of its schools are in Ottawa. It also has schools in Kingston, Brockville and Pembroke.
- Bilingual goal: Students who want to keep up their English while studying in French.
- Life in the capital: The Ottawa region has a population of over one million. The nearest airport is Ottawa International Airport.
- French-school background: Students coming from a French-medium school in their home country who want to advance their French.
Reasons: French-language education, a capital-city location and a wide school network
- French as the language of instruction: Classes are taught in French, and English is compulsory. The student develops both official languages at the same time.
- Wide school network: There are 46 elementary schools and 14 high schools. About 5,000 staff serve the students.
- International Baccalaureate (IB): This internationally recognized program offers an academically ambitious path.
- Focus programs: Programs are available in sports, fine arts, business and management, health and the environment.
- Flexible duration: Full-year, single-semester, short-program and summer-camp options are available, so a family can start with a short experience. There is also a virtual learning academy, with an annual fee of CAD 10,000.
- Homestay: Host families are selected through the partner organization Canada Homestay Network.
- Continuous enrolment: Applications are accepted throughout the year, so the preparation timeline is flexible.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 15,500 | $15,500 |
| Application fee | 300 | $300 |
| Health insurance | 850 | $850 |
| Homestay, full year | see text | varies by homestay provider (CHN), please confirm directly with them. |
| Total of the published items, without homestay | 16,650 | Homestay is priced by the homestay provider and is not included in this total. |
Tuition alone works out to about CAD 1,550 per school month over a 10-month year.
The tuition figure comes from the district's CAPS-I page. We could not confirm it, or the school year it applies to, on the district's own website on 11 October 2026; we request the current fee schedule for you before you apply.
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 15,500, this fee equals the median among 32 public school districts in Ontario.
Outcome: a bilingual high school experience in the capital
- Language gain: The student uses French as the everyday school language and keeps up English through classes and city life.
- Academic options: With IB and the focus programs, a plan can be built around the student's university goal. International students are accepted at 14 high schools.
- Clear budget: The annual fee is CAD 15,500, and the single-semester fee is CAD 7,750.
- City amenities: Ottawa is Canada's fourth-largest urban area. There are about 87 international students, so the student spends most of the time with local peers.
Benefit analysis: what the investment buys
The student works toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) plus International Baccalaureate (IB), Health Sciences and Business and Entrepreneurship, taught and assessed by certified Canadian teachers.
Classes in English every day, with French options that add a second official language.
A screened homestay family provides a private room, meals and daily support, and the district monitors the placement.
Sports Academies, Fine Arts and Environment and Sustainability 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 16,650 | Total of the published items, without homestay, from the cost analysis above |
| Per school month | CAD 1,665 | Over a 10-month school year |
| Price position | At median | 32 public school districts in Ontario |
| Specialty programs | 6 | International Baccalaureate (IB), Health Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Sports Academies 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 | Mid-market price |
Priced in line with the median across 32 public school districts in Ontario. The decision rests on fit: IB and homestay rather than price.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Language level: A student without at least beginner-level French may struggle in class. The level should be assessed honestly from the start.
- Additional costs: There is a CAD 300 application fee and annual health insurance of CAD 850. Insurance for one semester is CAD 425. The accommodation cost is obtained from the provider. Current fees should be confirmed with the school before applying.
Let us assess together whether French-language education is the right path for your child. You can book a free preliminary consultation with Canadian Edu Centre.