Why Louis Riel School Division?
For students who want to learn both English and French seriously, Canada is a natural choice. Because the division offers full immersion in both languages, it suits families with a bilingual goal. The division has 17,100 students in total, and its international program has been running since 2008.
- Students aiming for two languages: those who want to develop French alongside English.
- Those looking for big-city opportunities: students who want to study in a provincial capital with an international airport.
- Parents who want a wide choice of schools: those who want to pick the best-fitting high school for their child from several candidates.
Reasons: what makes Louis Riel stand out
- English or French immersion: with a full immersion environment in either language, students use the target language in class all day.
- Seven high schools: 7 of the 40 schools are high schools that accept international students, and about 200 international students are spread across them.
- Go Global homestay: accommodation is run through the division's own program. With personalised family matching and regular home visits, follow-up is continuous.
- Program variety: Advanced Placement, accredited post-secondary programs, mini sports academies, fine arts and music are offered.
- City location: the division is in southeast Winnipeg, bordered by the Red River to the west and the Seine River to the east, close to the amenities of a city of about 750,000 people (2021 Census).
- No guardianship fee: because no fee is charged for guardianship, this requirement creates no extra cost for students under 17.
- Duration options: full-year, single-semester, three-month and summer enrichment programs are available, so a family can begin with a short trial.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 13,000 | $13,500 |
| Application fee | 250 | $250 |
| Health insurance | 600 | $600 (full year), $400 (one semester) |
| Homestay, 10 months at CAD 1,100 | 11,000 | Annual Homestay Placement Fee: no charge; Homestay Monthly Fee: $1,100; Annual Custodianship Fee: no charge |
| Homestay placement fee | 0 / included | |
| Custodianship fee | 0 / included | |
| Estimated first-year total | 24,850 | Tuition, the listed fees, insurance and homestay for one school year. |
Tuition alone works out to about CAD 1,300 per school month over a 10-month year. With homestay and the listed fees, the year comes to about CAD 2,485 per month. Flights, pocket money, the study permit fee and biometrics are not included.
The district's own website lists CAD 13,000 for the 2026–27 school year, while its CAPS-I page shows CAD 13,500. This page uses the figure from the district's website.
The district has also published CAD 13,500 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 13,000, this fee equals the median among 7 public school districts in Manitoba.
Outcome: what it means for the family and student
- Bilingual development: students gain real classroom experience in an English or French environment and bring their language to an academic level. For French immersion, the student's current level of French should be discussed with the division before applying.
- Close monitoring: regular home visits keep parents informed about their child even from a distance. Family matching also takes the student's habits into account.
- City advantage: Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is in the same city, so travel is easy. Living in the capital of Manitoba, a province of more than 1.5 million people, increases access to city amenities.
- Clear budget: tuition is CAD 13,000, accommodation is CAD 1,100 per month and health insurance is CAD 600. For a single semester, tuition is CAD 6,750 and health insurance is CAD 400.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Suitable profile: high-school-age students with a clear language goal who can adapt to city life. The program is limited to grades 9-12; for younger children, other divisions should be considered.
- Timeline: the application deadline is April 1 for the September intake and November 1 for the February intake. Applications may close earlier once places are filled. The Study Permit required for study longer than six months is decided by IRCC, so the application file should be ready well before the deadline.
- Additional costs: there is a CAD 250 application fee and a CAD 250 transcript verification fee. Current fees should be confirmed with the school before applying. Recognition in the student's home country is handled by that country's education authority, so course selection should be planned accordingly.
Is English or French immersion the better fit for your child? Let's decide together in a free preliminary consultation.