Why Saskatoon Public Schools?
When a child's interests are not yet clear, families look for a division that keeps as many options open as possible. Saskatoon Public Schools offers academic, pre-engineering, media and outdoor education paths, and aims to create learning experiences that help students reach their potential.
- Families who want many options: students can try academic, arts and sports fields within one division.
- Parents who want to know the total cost in advance: including exactly what the homestay package covers.
- Families who want a short start: those who want to try Canada first with a three- or four-month program.
Reasons: Saskatoon Public Schools' concrete advantages
- IB and AP: the two-year International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses let high-achieving students take demanding classes.
- Academies: the Dance, Soccer and Softball academies combine talented students' training with their regular timetable.
- Thematic programs: Media School, Outdoor School, Pre-Engineering, and the Off the Grid and Collective Voice programs take learning beyond the classroom.
- Seven high schools: seven of the eight high schools accept international students. Schools range from 700 to 1,800 students, so families can choose a suitable size.
- All-inclusive homestay package: the full-year homestay fee includes guardianship, orientation, airport transfers and monitoring, which reduces unexpected costs.
- In-house homestay program: the division runs homestay itself, with a private room and three meals a day, so families deal directly with the division.
- Language classes: French, German, Spanish, Japanese and Mandarin are taught, so students can learn an additional language.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 13,400 | $13,400 |
| Application fee | 250 | $250 |
| Health insurance | 600 | $600 |
| Homestay, full year | 11,000 | Full Year Homestay Fee: $11,000 (includes custodianship, homestay registration, orientation, airport pick-up/drop-off, monthly monitoring, and monthly homestay fees); 1 Semester Homestay Fee: $5,500 |
| Homestay placement fee | 0 / included | |
| Custodianship fee | 0 / included | |
| Estimated first-year total | 25,250 | Tuition, the listed fees, insurance and homestay for one school year. |
Tuition alone works out to about CAD 1,340 per school month over a 10-month year. With homestay and the listed fees, the year comes to about CAD 2,525 per month. Flights, pocket money, the study permit fee and biometrics are not included.
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 13,400, this fee is CAD 1,600 below the median of CAD 15,000 among 104 Canadian public school districts on this site.
Outcome: what it means for the family and student
- Discovery: the wide range of programs helps students find their real interests during high school. Even hands-on options such as Carpentry Apprenticeship are part of the range.
- Transparent budget: the main costs are clear from the start: CAD 13,400 tuition, CAD 11,000 homestay and CAD 600 per year for health insurance. Because guardianship is included in the homestay package, students under 17 do not need a separate arrangement.
- Active social life: international student activities such as skating, skiing, bowling, hiking and museum trips help students settle in. School teams in volleyball, basketball, soccer, golf, badminton and dance also offer ways to get involved.
- Direct travel: the city has its own airport, John G. Diefenbaker International Airport, which shortens the journey. A network of 49 elementary schools and 8 high schools means younger siblings can also find places in the same division.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Suitable profile: students who are willing to try different fields and would enjoy living in a city of about 266,000 people (2021 Census; about 317,000 in the metropolitan area). Around 130 international students form a small group within a community of 29,000.
- Timeline: the application deadlines are May 1 for September entry and November 1 for February entry. Because IB is a two-year program, the entry grade should be planned carefully. For study longer than six months, IRCC issues the required Study Permit, so preparation should begin well before these dates.
- Fees: the application fee is CAD 250, tuition for one semester is CAD 6,800 and homestay for one semester is CAD 5,500. Current fees should be confirmed with the school before applying. The full year lasts ten months and one semester lasts five months.
Which Saskatoon high school and program suit your child? Let's narrow down the options together in a free preliminary consultation with Canadian Edu Centre.