Why Ottawa Catholic School Board?
Families looking for a values-based, warm school community in the capital look at this board. The board states that it offers a school environment grounded in faith and values and open to diversity. About 245 international students study in these schools alongside their Canadian peers.
- Admission at every age: For families looking for a program for children of elementary or middle school age. Elementary and middle school intakes are in September, with occasional flexibility.
- Language support: Suited to those looking for a board where ESL is an ordinary part of school.
- Applied learning: For students interested in programs that provide work experience and sector specialization.
Reasons: widespread ESL support, applied programs and a capital-city location
- ESL in elementary and middle school: ESL is offered in all elementary schools and in grade 7-8 schools. A student who arrives at a young age receives language support whichever school they attend.
- Credit-bearing ESL in high school: Credit-bearing ESL courses are offered at five high schools, so a high school student earns diploma credits while learning the language.
- Fifteen high schools: International students are accepted at 15 high schools, eight of which have ESL. This makes it easier to find a school close to the homestay address.
- Specialist High Skills Major and Cooperative Education: The student can specialize in a sector and gain workplace experience.
- French Immersion: Through the intensive French program, the student can also develop the second official language in the bilingual capital. English and French are both spoken in Ottawa.
- Focus programs and e-learning: The student can broaden their course plan according to their interests.
- MLI Homestay: The board works with an organization that has placed thousands of students with host families across Canada. The accommodation cost is obtained directly from this organization.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 15,300 | $15,000 (K-12) |
| Application fee | 400 | $400 |
| Health insurance | 600 | $600 |
| Homestay, full year | see text | please confirm directly with MLI Homestay |
| Total of the published items, without homestay | 16,300 | 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 district's own website lists CAD 15,300 for the 2026–27 school year, while its CAPS-I page shows CAD 15,000. This page uses the figure from the district's website.
The district has also published CAD 15,800 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 15,300, this fee is CAD 200 below the median of CAD 15,500 among 32 public school districts in Ontario.
Outcome: a supported student progressing in a values-based community
- Gentle adjustment: Widespread ESL support eases the language barrier in the first months. The student joins classes starting from their own level.
- Simple fee: Annual tuition from kindergarten to Grade 12 is CAD 15,300, and the single-semester fee is CAD 7,650. High school intakes are in September and February. Because the board has 94 schools, a student can progress from elementary school to high school within the same system.
- Career awareness: Specialization and work experience programs help clarify the choice of university program. The student gets to know a sector closely in high school.
- Easy arrival: Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport is in the city. Family visits and holiday travel are easy to plan.
Who it suits and what to consider
- School identity: The board is founded on Catholic faith and values. The family should consider in advance whether this suits them.
- Academic program: The CAPS-I page does not mention IB or AP programs. Students aiming for these programs should also look at other boards. An up-to-date course list should be requested for each school.
- Fees and calendar: The application fee is CAD 400, and annual health insurance is CAD 600. The accommodation cost is obtained from MLI Homestay. Applications should be made at least three months before the start date. Entry to kindergarten through Grade 8 is generally in September. The current fee should be confirmed with the school before applying. Programs longer than six months require a Study Permit, and IRCC makes the visa decision. A student under 17 who arrives without a parent must have a guardian appointed in Canada.
Let us assess together whether Ottawa Catholic suits your child's age and goals. Plan a free preliminary consultation with Canadian Edu Centre.