Why Lambton Kent District School Board?
Families who want their children to learn English mostly among native English-speaking peers look into this board. It operates 63 schools in Sarnia and Chatham-Kent, in the far south of Canada surrounded by the Great Lakes, and has about 22,000 students.
- Language immersion: Almost all classmates speak English. International students study in the same classes as their Canadian peers.
- Short program: Suited to families who want to start with a two-, three- or four-month experience.
- Spring intake: Suited to students who have missed September and February and want to start in April.
Reasons: a native English-speaking environment, flexible entry and ESL support
- English-speaking environment: Because more than 99% of students are native English speakers, international students use the language in a natural setting all day.
- High schools with ESL: ESL is offered at four of the 11 high schools that accept international students, and students who need language support are placed in a suitable school.
- Short-term options: With 2-, 3- and 4-month programs, a family can try Canada without making a long commitment.
- Three intakes: Students can start in September, February or April, so the calendar can be adjusted to the student's school situation in their home country.
- Government assurance: The board is funded and supervised by the Government of Ontario, and all teachers are certified. This assurance applies to every grade and level.
- Specialist High Skills Major: The student can add a sector specialization to the diploma. A French Immersion option is also available.
- Clubs and sports: There are debate, band, choir and science fair, along with basketball, hockey, golf, curling and volleyball. Art, chess, theatre, environment and student council clubs, as well as tennis, soccer and track and field, are also among the options.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 15,990 | $15,990 |
| Application fee | 250 | $250 |
| Health insurance | 500 | $500 (semester $250) |
| Homestay, full year | see text | varies by homestay provider, please confirm directly with them. |
| Total of the published items, without homestay | 16,740 | Homestay is priced by the homestay provider and is not included in this total. |
Tuition alone works out to about CAD 1,599 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 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 15,990, this fee is CAD 490 above the median of CAD 15,500 among 32 public school districts in Ontario.
Outcome: a student who learns English where it is spoken and grows in confidence
- Fluency: Because classes, friendships and home life all take place in English, speaking skills develop quickly. Sarnia and Chatham-Kent are the two main communities of the district; the student settles into a high school in one of these cities and stays with a local family.
- Low-risk start: If the short-term program goes well, the student can move on to a full year or the diploma path.
- Defined fee: Annual tuition is CAD 15,990, and a single semester is CAD 8,050. Health insurance for a single semester is CAD 250.
- Experienced institution: The program has been running since 2002 and hosts about 100 international students. Windsor and London are one hour away.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Homestay age: Homestay accommodation is offered only for grades 7 to 12; a younger student must come with a parent. International students are accepted from grade 4.
- Travel: London and Windsor airports are about one hour away, and Toronto is three hours away. The cities are small, and the setting may feel quiet for a student looking for big-city life.
- Additional costs and calendar: There is a CAD 250 application fee and CAD 500 annual health insurance. The accommodation cost varies by provider. Application deadlines are April 30 and November 30. The current fee should be confirmed with the school before applying. Programs longer than six months require a Study Permit; IRCC makes the visa decision, and high school study is exempt from the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL).
Let us identify together which of Lambton Kent's short- or long-term programs is right for your child. Plan a free preliminary consultation with Canadian Edu Centre.