Life at a Canadian boarding school
Boarders live in houses supervised by resident teachers (house parents), study in evening prep sessions and take part in sport, music, debating and outdoor trips every week. Weekends include organised activities, and staff are on hand around the clock.
For parents, a boarding school offers a single point of responsibility: the school looks after academics, accommodation, meals, health care and, in many cases, custodianship.
- Supervised houses with resident staff
- Structured evening study and academic support
- Daily sport, arts and clubs
- Health centre and pastoral care on campus
- Custodianship often provided by the school
Boarding schools and annual fees
The list shows schools in our guide that offer boarding, with the published annual fee for international boarders (tuition plus room and board).
| School | City | School type | Annual fee (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albert College | Belleville, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 94,000 |
| Appleby College | Oakville, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 96,010 |
| Ashbury College | Ottawa, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 87,660 |
| Balmoral Hall School | Winnipeg, Manitoba | CAIS school | CAD 75,200 |
| Bishop's College School | Sherbrooke, Quebec | CAIS school | CAD 89,900 |
| Branksome Hall | Toronto, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 90,710 |
| Brentwood College School | Mill Bay, British Columbia | CAIS school | CAD 105,000 |
| Havergal College | Toronto, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 87,485 |
| King's-Edgehill School | Windsor, Nova Scotia | CAIS school | CAD 79,950 |
| Lakefield College School | Lakefield, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 90,800 |
| Pickering College | Newmarket, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 89,400 |
| Queen Margaret's School | Duncan, British Columbia | CAIS school | CAD 85,480 |
| Ridley College | St. Catharines, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 92,500 |
| Rosseau Lake College | Rosseau, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 83,000 |
| Rothesay Netherwood School | Rothesay, New Brunswick | CAIS school | CAD 89,000 |
| Shawnigan Lake School | Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia | CAIS school | CAD 104,640 |
| St. Andrew's College | Aurora, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 88,660 |
| St. George's School | Vancouver, British Columbia | CAIS school | CAD 105,200 |
| St. Michaels University School | Victoria, British Columbia | CAIS school | CAD 101,290 |
| Stanstead College | Stanstead, Quebec | CAIS school | CAD 90,000 |
| The Bishop Strachan School | Toronto, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 86,000 |
| Trafalgar Castle School | Whitby, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 86,500 |
| Trinity College School | Port Hope, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 94,500 |
| Upper Canada College | Toronto, Ontario | CAIS school | CAD 87,580 |
| Bodwell High School | North Vancouver, British Columbia | Private school | CAD 59,500 |
| Bronte College | Mississauga, Ontario | Private school | CAD 51,200 |
| Brookes Westshore | Colwood (Victoria area, Vancouver Island), British Columbia | Private school | CAD 66,365 |
| Columbia International College | Hamilton, Ontario | Private school | CAD 53,500 |
| Great Lakes College of Toronto | Toronto, Ontario | Private school | CAD 39,800 |
| J. Addison School | Markham, Ontario | Private school | CAD 48,000 |
| London International Academy | London, Ontario | Private school | CAD 51,000 |
| Luther College High School | Regina, Saskatchewan | Private school | CAD 60,210 |
| Nancy Campbell Academy | Stratford, Ontario | Private school | CAD 38,775 |
| Niagara Christian Collegiate | Fort Erie, Ontario | Private school | CAD 56,495 |
| St. Margaret's School | Victoria, British Columbia | Private school | CAD 88,059 |
| William Academy | Cobourg, Ontario | Private school | CAD 45,800 |
Fees are the published annual fees for international students for 2026–27 where available (boarding schools include room and board). Always confirm with the school.
What the fee includes
Boarding fees normally include tuition, accommodation, meals and most on-campus activities. Families should budget separately for an application fee, uniforms, books and technology, health insurance, travel home and optional trips. Many schools also ask for a refundable deposit.
Admission requirements
- School reports for the last two to three years
- Teacher references and a personal statement
- An interview, often online
- Entrance test (SSAT or the school's own test) at many schools
- English level appropriate to the grade, or enrolment in the school's ESL program
When to apply
Most boarding schools accept applications from September for entry the following September, with first-round deadlines between December and February. Some admit students in January. Places for international boarders are limited, so early contact makes a real difference.
Not sure which Canadian high school fits your child?
We help international families compare schools, fees, boarding and homestay options, and handle the study permit process.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a boarding school in Canada cost?
Boarding schools in our list charge from about CAD 39,000 (smaller private boarding schools) to CAD 105,000 (CAIS boarding schools) per year, including tuition, room and board. Most CAIS boarding schools are above CAD 75,000.
At what age can my child start boarding school in Canada?
Many boarding schools accept students from grade 7 or 8 (age 12 or 13); most international boarders join between grades 9 and 11.
Which Canadian boarding schools offer the IB Diploma?
Several boarding schools offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma, while others offer AP courses. The program column in each school's page in our guide shows which one it follows.