Why Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board?
Families looking for a region close to Toronto but more affordable, with the feel of a university city, consider Hamilton. The city lies between Toronto and Niagara Falls and is home to McMaster University and Mohawk College. The board operates 13 high schools and 80 elementary schools. Its international program was established in 2004.
- Proximity to universities: Suited to students who aim to go on to Ontario universities after high school.
- Special interests: Suited to students interested in fields such as aviation, design, animation and robotics, each of which is supported by dedicated courses.
- Language support: Students who need ESL from beginner level onward can get support.
Reasons: tiered ESL, distinctive programs and proximity to universities
- Tiered ESL: ESL is offered from beginner to advanced level. Special groups are formed in subjects such as business, history and science, so the student does not lose credits while learning the language.
- IB and AP: Both programs are offered, and students can prepare for university with advanced courses. There are also S.T.E.M., computer science and Specialist High Skills Major programs.
- Aviation and Aerospace: This program lets students get to know the profession in high school. Robotics and workplace-based Cooperative programs complete this applied area.
- Arts programs: Courses in media, interior design, fashion design, animation, photography, film production and pottery allow students to build a creative portfolio.
- Business courses: Through courses in accounting, business management, web design, and sports and entertainment marketing, students get to know the business world early.
- University surroundings: The University of Toronto, York, Waterloo, Western, Guelph and Brock are one to one and a half hours away, so campus visits are easy.
- Accommodation flexibility: The student can choose the provider, and the board helps if needed. Full-year, single-semester and short-term program options are available.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 14,850 | $14,850 |
| Application fee | 350 | $350 |
| Health insurance | 659 | $659 |
| Homestay, full year | see text | varies by homestay provider, please confirm directly with them. |
| Total of the published items, without homestay | 15,859 | Homestay is priced by the homestay provider and is not included in this total. |
Tuition alone works out to about CAD 1,485 per school month over a 10-month year. Flights, pocket money, the study permit fee and biometrics are not included.
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 district has also published CAD 14,950 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 14,850, this fee is CAD 650 below the median of CAD 15,500 among 32 public school districts in Ontario.
Outcome: a student who completes their language skills and goes deeper in their field of interest
- Uninterrupted progress: As the language level rises, the student moves into academic courses. French can also be developed through French Immersion.
- Informed choice: Aviation, arts or business courses clarify the choice of university major.
- Reasonable cost: Annual tuition is CAD 14,850, and the single-semester fee is CAD 7,425.
- Travel: Toronto, Niagara Falls and the US border are about 60 minutes away by car. About 150 international students are spread across the 13 high schools.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Additional costs: There is a CAD 350 application fee and CAD 659 annual health insurance. Accommodation and guardianship costs vary by provider. The current fee should be confirmed with the school before applying.
- Accommodation responsibility: Because the family chooses the provider, research and comparison are needed. A guardian in Canada is mandatory for students under 17 who arrive without a parent. Who will provide the guardianship service should be clarified from the start.
- Calendar: Applications close on May 31 and November 30, with intakes in September and February. Programs longer than six months require a Study Permit, and IRCC makes the visa decision. High school study is exempt from the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) requirement. Recognition in the student's home country is handled by that country's education authority.
Let us look together at how Hamilton's high schools match your child's interests. Plan a free preliminary consultation with Canadian Edu Centre.