Why Riverside School Board?
Families who want their child to study close to Montreal but in a calmer community, at a board with strong academic results, look at Riverside.
- Academic confidence: a public board with a low dropout rate and a high ranking.
- Location: immediately south and east of Montreal.
- Quality of accommodation: host families are selected after an in-person home visit.
Reasons: what makes Riverside stand out
The board has 19 elementary schools, 4 high schools and an adult and career education centre. It hosts about 100 international students and offers full-year and single-semester programs.
- Ranking: the board reports that it is consistently in the top five of Quebec's 72 public school boards.
- Low dropout rate: it is stated to have one of the lowest school dropout rates in the province.
- International Baccalaureate: the IB program offers an internationally recognised curriculum.
- French Immersion: the language of instruction is English, but this option is available for advancing in French.
- Family screening: host families are carefully screened, visited in their homes and evaluated by students.
- Sports and arts: sports and fine arts programs are available.
- Short and summer programs: there are short-term programs, group programs and a summer language school.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 16,177 | $16,177 |
| Application fee | 234 | $234 |
| Health insurance | 0 / included | $550 (included in tuition fee) |
| Homestay, 10 months at CAD 1,230 | 12,300 | Annual Homestay Placement Fee: $115; Homestay Monthly Fee: $1,230; Annual Custodianship Fee: $275 |
| Homestay placement fee | 115 | |
| Custodianship fee | 275 | |
| Estimated first-year total | 29,101 | Tuition, the listed fees, insurance and homestay for one school year. |
Tuition alone works out to about CAD 1,618 per school month over a 10-month year. With homestay and the listed fees, the year comes to about CAD 2,910 per month. 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 16,177, this fee is CAD 2,377 above the median of CAD 13,800 among 6 public school districts in Quebec.
Outcome: what it means for the student and family
The student attends high school in a board with a high achievement average and lives in a closely monitored home environment. Parents find the return on the higher fee in academic consistency. Students under 17 who arrive without a parent need a guardian in Canada, and the board offers this service for a fee.
- Solid academic footing: a high ranking and low dropout rate provide a hard-working peer group.
- Progress in two languages: English-language education is supported by French.
- A reliable home environment: the supervised homestay system increases parents' confidence.
- Close to the city: Montreal's amenities and airport are a short distance away.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Cost: full-year tuition is CAD 16,177, which is high among Quebec boards. Added to this are a CAD 234 application fee, a CAD 115 placement fee, CAD 550 health insurance, a CAD 275 guardianship fee, a CAD 120 English oral test and CAD 1,230 per month for homestay. Current fees should be confirmed with the school before applying.
- Timeline and documents: entry dates are August 22 and February 1. The application deadline is June 14 for the fall term and November 15 for the winter term. In Quebec a CAQ must be obtained before the Study Permit, so an early application is needed.
- System and climate: high school is completed in grade 11 (Secondary V). Winters are cold. According to the board, spring is mild, summer is hot and autumn is cool.
If you are looking for a board with strong academic results in the Montreal area, book a free preliminary consultation with Canadian Edu Centre and we can assess together whether Riverside suits your child.