CANADA HIGH SCHOOLSCanadian Edu Centre · Since 2012

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Canadian High School Guide

Find the right Canadian high school for your child by province, language and budget

Compare Canadian public school districts, private schools and CAIS schools on one screen. Filter by annual tuition, language of instruction, homestay and special programs such as IB, AP and sports academies.

105public school districts
30private schools
30CAIS schools
10provinces
9,500 – 105,200CAD annual tuition range

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School type Language of instruction Province Annual tuition

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Data sources: public school districts from their member pages on caps-i.ca (Canadian Association of Public Schools – International), read on 11 October 2026; private and CAIS schools from official school websites, compiled October 2026. Public district fees are tuition for one academic year for secondary students; homestay, health insurance, application and custodianship fees are listed separately in each district's details unless noted. Most CAPS-I pages do not state which school year a fee applies to. Schools update fees every year; we confirm the exact amount with the school before you apply.

The safest path to a world-class university begins in a Canadian classroom.

You've compared countries, read the rankings and asked the hard questions about safety. This is where that research becomes a clear, verified plan.

Canada's public school districts and accredited private schools are regulated by provincial governments. Students travelling without a parent have a legally appointed custodian in Canada and live with a host family selected and monitored by the school district, or in a supervised residence. Your child graduates with the same provincial diploma Canadian students earn: the credential Canadian universities know best.

Get your child's personal school shortlist Free 1-on-1 academic assessment

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School life

A school day in Canada

In the classroom, in the lab, on the ice and at the host family's dinner table: this is what your child's day looks like.

In classTeacher-led lessons alongside Canadian classmates.
One-on-one helpA teacher at the student's side when a topic is new.
Science labExperiments done by hand, in small groups.
School teamIce hockey and other school sports after class.
Host family dinnerThe evening meal at a Canadian family table.
Graduation dayThe provincial diploma, cap in the air.

Where students study

Four cities families ask about first

Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montréal each offer a different school system, language mix and pace of life. Compare them, then open the schools in that province.

Toronto skyline with the CN Tower beside Lake Ontario

Toronto

Ontario

Canada's largest city, on the shore of Lake Ontario.
Students graduate with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
On this site: Toronto District School Board, Toronto Catholic District School Board and private schools in the city.

Students exploring downtown Toronto beside a red streetcar

See schools in Ontario

Vancouver skyline with the North Shore mountains and the sails of Canada Place

Vancouver

British Columbia

A Pacific coast city between the ocean and the North Shore mountains.
Students graduate with the British Columbia Dogwood Diploma.
On this site: Vancouver School Board and neighbouring districts such as Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

Students on the Vancouver seawall with mountains and the harbour behind them

See schools in British Columbia

Parliament Hill and the Peace Tower in Ottawa

Ottawa

Ontario

Canada's capital, home of Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal.
English-language and French-language school boards work side by side.
On this site: Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, Ottawa Catholic School Board, CECCE and CEPEO.

Students skating on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa in winter

See schools in Ontario

Montreal skyline with Mount Royal, the Olympic Stadium tower and the Biosphere

Montréal

Quebec

Quebec's largest city, French-speaking with a long-established English school network.
High school ends after Grade 11 with the DES, followed by CEGEP before university.
On this site: English Montreal School Board and Lester B. Pearson School Board.

A family walking through Old Montreal past the twin towers of a historic basilica

See schools in Quebec

Student and family life

Happy families, happy students

From the airport goodbye to graduation day: the moments families look forward to.

Parents waving goodbye at the airport as their child sets off for Canada — Departure day

Friends throwing red maple leaves in the air on an autumn afternoon — Autumn with new friends

Students in toques building a snowman on a snowy day — First Canadian winter

A school soccer team celebrating a goal — School teams

Students singing and playing music together in a school arts program — Arts and music

Proud parents hugging their daughter on graduation day — Graduation with family

A family enjoying a summer day by a Canadian lake — Summer by the lake

Illustrations are representative.

Private and CAIS schools

Options beyond the public system

Looking for a boarding campus, smaller classes or flexible start dates? Explore private schools and CAIS schools. Every school has its own page.

A parent reading clear answers about studying in Canada on a tablet

Blog: 72 questions, sourced answers

School choice, applications, costs, accommodation, visas and university entry: the questions parents ask most.

Read the answers

Students arriving at a private school campus with a columned main building

30 featured private schools

OSSD and Dogwood programs, school residence or homestay, multiple intakes per year.

A lakeside boarding school with students beside a canoe

30 CAIS-accredited schools

Long-established independent schools, most with boarding, inspected against national standards. Applications open a year in advance.

Private schools

30 featured private schools in Canada

Private schools that accept international students, with flexible start dates during the year and university preparation programs. This list is not a ranking.

Fees were taken from official school websites in October 2026 and vary by school year. A few figures come from third-party guides and are marked in the school's details; confirm them with the school. Fees and admission requirements can change.

CAIS schools

30 CAIS-accredited schools

CAIS (Canadian Accredited Independent Schools) reviews independent schools in Canada against national standards. It is an accreditation, not a diploma: each school awards its provincial diploma. Most of these schools are boarding schools, and many admit students only in September. This list is not a ranking.

Fees were taken from school websites in October 2026. Fees and admission requirements can change; confirm with the school before applying.

Expert support

Which school fits your child?

We narrow the options by age, academic record, English level and budget. The first consultation is free.

Talk to an advisor

The Canadian high school system

How does high school in Canada work?

Education in Canada is a provincial responsibility. Your child follows the curriculum of the province where they study and earns that province's diploma.

A student with a backpack beside a school calendar running from September to June

School year and courses

Calendar: The school year runs from September to June.
Intakes: Most districts admit students in September and February.
Duration: One semester (about 5 months), one academic year, or through to graduation.
Credit system: Alongside compulsory courses, students choose electives that match their interests.
Classroom: International students study in the same classes as their Canadian peers.

An ESL teacher supporting two students who are improving their English

Language support and admission

No entrance exam: Public districts assess applications on transcripts and documents.
ESL / ELL: In-school language support for students still developing their English.
Advanced programs: IB and AP require a strong academic record and English proficiency.
French option: Some boards offer French-language or French immersion programs.

A Canadian host family welcoming a student who arrives with a suitcase

Accommodation and supervision

Homestay: Most students live with Canadian families selected and monitored by the school district.
Age limit: In many districts homestay starts from Grade 7–9; younger students travel with a parent.
Custodian: A custodian in Canada is appointed for any student travelling without a parent.
Residence: Rare in public districts; boarding is mainly offered by private schools.

Province	Diploma	High school grades	To graduate
Ontario	OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma)	9–12	30 credits
British Columbia	Dogwood Diploma	8–12 (graduation program 10–12)	80 credits
Alberta	Alberta High School Diploma	10–12	100 credits
Quebec	DES (Secondary School Diploma)	Secondary I–V (Grades 7–11)	Graduation after Grade 11; CEGEP before university
Manitoba	Manitoba High School Diploma	9–12	30 credits
Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan Grade 12 diploma	10–12	24 credits
Nova Scotia	Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma	10–12	18 credits
New Brunswick	New Brunswick High School Diploma	9–12	100 credit hours (graduates from 2026)
Newfoundland and Labrador	High school graduation diploma	10–12 (Level I–III)	36 credits
Prince Edward Island	Senior High School Graduation Certificate	10–12	20 credits (25 in the French program)

Credit requirements are set by provincial ministries of education and may change. We plan how grades completed in your home country convert to credits with the school before you apply.

Expert support

Which province and which diploma fit your child?

Let's confirm credit transfer and the graduation plan before you apply. The first consultation is free.

Talk to an advisor

Fees and budget

Annual fee by school type

Compiled from the fees on this site's school pages. Amounts are in Canadian dollars (CAD) per academic year.

Parents planning the education budget at a table with a calculator and chart

Public school districtTuition only; homestay is paid separately

9,500 – 18,500

Private school, tuition onlyDay or non-residence rate

18,400 – 45,200

Private school, boarding includedTuition and residence

34,450 – 88,100

CAIS school, dayIncluding international student fees

33,300 – 54,900

CAIS school, boardingTuition and boarding

75,200 – 105,200

025k50k75k100k

Add these to your budget

Homestay: A monthly fee plus a one-time placement fee.
Health insurance: Mandatory in most districts and billed separately.
Application and custodianship fees: Vary by district.
Visa costs: Study permit fee, biometrics and a medical exam if required.
Flights and pocket money: Remember to include trips home for the holidays.

Expert support

Let's calculate your total budget together

Tuition, accommodation, insurance and visa costs, itemized for the school you choose.

Talk to an advisor

Student visa and custodian

The study permit process for high school students

In high school applications, mistakes happen most often in the custodianship documents and the financial file. This is the path we follow, from choosing a school to boarding the flight.

A student holding a passport beside an approved application document

Profile and budget analysis
Province and school type are chosen based on the student's grade, marks, English level and the family's budget.
School application
Transcripts, passport and application form go to the school district. September intake usually closes in spring.
Letter of Acceptance
Issued once school fees are paid. This document is the foundation of the visa file.
Custodian and accommodation
Homestay placement is arranged. The Custodianship Declaration (IMM 5646) is notarized separately in Canada and in the family's home country.
Study permit application
Filed online with IRCC with financial documents, a letter of explanation and family documents, followed by biometrics.
Pre-departure
Airport pickup, meeting the host family and school orientation are planned. Parents are kept informed throughout.

What to know about IRCC rules

Programs longer than 6 months require a study permit. Entry requirements (visa or eTA) depend on the student's nationality.
No PAL needed: Secondary school and below are exempt from the provincial attestation letter.
Under 17: A custodian in Canada is mandatory if the student is not travelling with a parent. At 17 and above, the visa officer may request one.
Who can be a custodian: A responsible adult who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Quebec: A CAQ (Quebec Acceptance Certificate) is obtained before the study permit.

Documents in the file

Always: Letter of Acceptance, valid passport and photo, proof of financial support.
For minors: Custodianship Declaration (IMM 5646) and parental consent.
Recommended: A letter explaining the study plan and ties to the home country.
If required: Medical exam and police certificate.

Age of majority by province

18: Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan.
19: British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia.
Until the age of majority, school districts may require a custodian and homestay.

Your first application becomes the record for every one that follows

A refusal stays on file and is asked about in your child's future applications to Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and the Schengen area. That is why the file should be complete and consistent the first time.

For parents

What will you know while your child is in Canada?

Parents at home on a video call with their child studying in Canada

Who they live with: The host family is selected and regularly monitored by the school district.
Who looks after them at school: Every district has an international student coordinator.
How classes are going: Report cards and attendance are shared with parents.
How to reach us: You work with the same advisor from application to graduation.
The next step: Course selection and province choice are planned around the university goal.

Request a pre-assessment

Frequently asked questions

Questions parents ask first

At what age can a student start high school in Canada?

Most districts accept international students for Grades 9–12. Districts offering programs for younger students usually require a parent to accompany the child.

Is there an entrance exam?

Public districts have no central entrance exam. Applications are assessed on transcripts and documents, and the school may run an English placement test on arrival. Selective private schools may require an interview and a test.

Is a Canadian high school diploma recognized in my home country?

Recognition is handled by each country's education authority. We review the recognition requirements and the university plan with you before you apply.

Can my child go for one semester and return?

Yes. Many districts offer a single-semester program of about 5 months, and some offer short programs of 1–4 months. Plan course equivalency with the home school in advance.

Can I stay with my child as a parent?

It is possible. The parent must apply for and receive their own visa. We determine the right visa type based on the family's situation.

Public or private school?

The diploma is the same. Public districts offer classes alongside Canadian students at a lower cost. Private schools offer small classes, flexible intakes and boarding. The student's age, English level and goals decide.

Free pre-assessment

Review your shortlisted schools with our advisor

The first consultation is free. An advisor will reply within 1–2 business days and clarify the schools that fit your child's profile, the total budget and the visa timeline.

A parent and student filling in the school application together on a laptop

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