Why St. James Assiniboia School Division?
For families whose decision takes longer or whose plans change in the middle of the school year, rigid application dates are a serious obstacle. The division's lack of a deadline and its flexible entry bring relief to families under time pressure. The division serves 8,500 students in 26 schools in the St. James area of west Winnipeg, and four of its high schools accept international students.
- Families on a tight schedule: parents who have missed standard deadlines or decided late.
- Those interested in aviation or hockey: students who want to pursue these fields within their high school program.
- Families who prioritise university preparation: those who see readiness for post-secondary education as the main goal.
Reasons: St. James Assiniboia's concrete advantages
- Flexible entry: entry is flexible, in September and February. With no application deadline, the family can move at its own pace of preparation.
- Post-secondary preparation: the program is built around making the student ready for university, and course choices are guided toward that aim.
- Aviation and Hockey Academy: the aviation program and hockey academy let students pursue a special interest at school.
- Advanced Placement: AP courses and certificates are offered, so academically strong students can work with content close to university level.
- ESL at every level: ESL support is provided at every school level. Students whose language skills are still developing are not left unprepared, and the move into regular classes is faster.
- Free airport welcome: accommodation includes a private room and meals, and airport pickup is free, so everything is in place for the first day.
- Low additional fees: no fee is charged for placement or guardianship. Under these headings there is nothing to pay beyond the CAD 1,000 monthly accommodation fee.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 13,000 | $13,000 |
| Application fee | 200 | $200 |
| Health insurance | 600 | $600 per year, $300 per semester, $75 per month |
| Homestay, full year | see text | Annual Homestay Placement Fee: 0; Annual Custodianship Fee: 0 |
| Homestay placement fee | 0 / included | |
| Custodianship fee | 0 / included | |
| Total of the published items, without homestay | 13,800 | Homestay is priced by the homestay provider and is not included in this total. |
Tuition alone works out to about CAD 1,300 per school month over a 10-month year. 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 district has also published CAD 14,000 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
- Scheduling peace of mind: the family can focus on Study Permit preparation without worrying about missing an application date. However, the school year starts in September, and a student arriving mid-term will need to catch up.
- Goal-directed education: the post-secondary focus means life after high school is planned early. French Immersion, fine arts and sports options also make the education well rounded.
- Balanced international environment: there are about 100 international students among 8,500 students, a ratio that makes it easier to mix with Canadian peers.
- In-city location: the school is in the same city as Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. Travel is simple, and families can fly directly to Winnipeg to visit.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Suitable profile: students in grades 9 to 12 with a clear post-secondary goal who are ready to live in a city of about 750,000 people (2021 Census). For younger students, a different division should be considered.
- Visa timing: although the division has no deadline, the Study Permit is decided by IRCC and processing takes time. The application should be made months before the intended term. A Study Permit is compulsory for study longer than six months. High school students are exempt from the provincial attestation letter requirement.
- Costs: the application fee is CAD 200 and annual health insurance is CAD 600. Academy costs and current fees should be confirmed with the school before applying. Single-semester tuition is CAD 6,500, health insurance per semester is CAD 300 and monthly insurance is CAD 75.
If you are wondering whether you have left it too late, book a free preliminary consultation with Canadian Edu Centre and we will draw up a realistic timeline for St. James Assiniboia.