Why Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board?
This board is considered by families who want their child to live in a genuine Canadian town, side by side with local people. The district covers Goderich, Listowel, Mitchell, St. Marys and Stratford and educates about 4,600 students. It describes itself as an inclusive faith community with a tradition of quality learning.
- Full language environment: Suited to students who want to study in an English-speaking setting where no one around them speaks their own language.
- Small community: Suited to families who want a warm school climate where teachers know every student.
- Short experience: It is possible to start with a one-semester or short-term program. A full-year option is also available.
Reasons: small scale, town life and close attention
- Small board: With 18 schools and 4,600 students, international students do not get lost in the crowd and build close relationships with their teachers. International students are accepted at two high schools.
- Full English environment: The international program is very small, so the student spends the day with Canadian peers.
- SHSM and dual credit: The student can add a specialization or college credit to the diploma.
- French Immersion: Through the intensive French program, the student can also develop a second language.
- Sports: There are basketball, volleyball, golf, curling, ice hockey, rugby, swimming and tennis teams, as well as Nordic skiing, field hockey, badminton, cross-country and track and field.
- Clubs: Art, chess, jazz band, theatre, student council and social justice clubs fill time outside class.
- Nearby accommodation: Muskoka Language International selects and screens the families. These families usually live close to the school, so the daily commute is easy. The organization describes the accommodation as safe, caring and welcoming.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 15,300 | $15,300 |
| Application fee | 400 | $400 |
| Health insurance | 650 | $650 |
| Homestay, full year | see text | varies by homestay provider, please confirm directly with them. |
| Total of the published items, without homestay | 16,350 | Homestay is priced by the homestay provider and is not included in this total. |
Tuition alone works out to about CAD 1,530 per school month over a 10-month year. Flights, pocket money, the study permit fee and biometrics are not included.
The CAPS-I page lists 2024-25 dates; confirm the current fee with the board.
The tuition figure for the 2026–27 school year was confirmed on the district's own website on 11 October 2026.
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 15,300, this fee is CAD 200 below the median of CAD 15,500 among 32 public school districts in Ontario.
Outcome: full participation in Canadian town life
- Intensive language gain: Because the student has to use English in every setting, fluency comes quickly.
- Belonging: A small community makes it easy for a new student to join teams and clubs. Art, chess, theatre and musical clubs and school teams help the student make friends from the first weeks. According to the source, terms start at the end of August and the end of January.
- Cost: Annual tuition is CAD 15,300, and the single-semester fee is CAD 7,650.
- Safe environment: Historic towns and the Lake Huron shore offer a calm life. The region is surrounded by fertile farmland.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Risk of loneliness: As the international student community is very small, the program is better suited to independent, outgoing students. The program was established in 2019 and is relatively new.
- Location: The region is rural. Toronto Pearson Airport is about 1.5 hours away, and big-city amenities are limited. The schools teach according to Catholic values.
- Fees and calendar: For 2026-27 the board lists tuition of CAD 15,300 for the school year, a non-refundable CAD 400 application fee and CAD 650 for medical insurance. Homestay through MLI Homestay is CAD 13,094 for the 10-month academic year or CAD 7,200 for a five-month semester, plus a non-refundable CAD 500 homestay application fee. The board does not publish a fixed application deadline; students are asked to arrive on or after August 28. Current fees and dates should be confirmed with the board before applying.
- Visa and guardian: Programs longer than six months require a Study Permit, and IRCC makes the visa decision. A student under 17 who arrives without a parent is assigned a guardian in Canada.
Let us assess together whether a small Canadian town would suit your child. Plan a free preliminary consultation with Canadian Edu Centre.