Why Waterloo Catholic District School Board?
Families interested in engineering or health look for a school that prepares students for these fields from high school onward. Waterloo Catholic responds directly to this need because it combines career-focused certificate programs with the structure of a Catholic school.
- Direction: Early preparation is offered in engineering, health sciences and global leadership.
- Transparency: All cost items, including accommodation, custodianship and insurance, are known from the start.
- Experience: The program has been running since 2006 and has about 225 international students.
Reasons: what makes Waterloo Catholic stand out
Waterloo Region consists of the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge and four townships. Six of the board's 55 schools are high schools that accept international students. Full-year, single-semester, short-term and summer camp options are available. The program's concrete advantages are:
- Certificate programs: Through the Engineering and Health Sciences certificate programs, students can get to know the field closely before choosing a university program.
- Advanced Placement: Through AP courses, strong students can work with university-level content.
- College connection: There are dual credit courses with Conestoga College, so students can experience college courses while still in high school.
- Graduated language support: Full ESL support, partial support or a full English environment are offered, and the program is built around the student's level.
- Local accommodation partners: Homestay placements are made through local companies the board has worked with for twenty years, and placements are reviewed regularly.
- Social program: A free orientation week, monthly trips and open gym nights are organized, so students can make friends quickly.
- Additional free activities: No extra fee is charged for taking part in school teams, clubs and arts programs.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 16,500 | Secondary $16,500, Elementary $15,500 |
| Application fee | 424 | $424 |
| Health insurance | 560 | $560 |
| Homestay, 10 months at CAD 1,300 | 13,000 | Annual Homestay Placement Fee: $225; Homestay Monthly Fee: $1,300; Annual Custodianship Fee: $900 |
| Homestay placement fee | 225 | |
| Custodianship fee | 900 | |
| Estimated first-year total | 31,609 | Tuition, the listed fees, insurance and homestay for one school year. |
Tuition alone works out to about CAD 1,650 per school month over a 10-month year. With homestay and the listed fees, the year comes to about CAD 3,161 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 16,500, this fee is CAD 1,000 above the median of CAD 15,500 among 32 public school districts in Ontario.
Outcome: what it means for the student and family
These features lay the groundwork for the student to have full high school years, both academically and socially. For parents, the most important gain is knowing what they get for the fee they pay and seeing that their child is regularly followed. Specialist High Skills Major and cooperative education (work placement) opportunities are also available. A Study Permit is required for study longer than six months; high school study is exempt from the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), and the visa decision is made by IRCC.
- Informed choice: Certificate programs base the choice of university program on experience.
- Predictable budget: Because cost items are explained one by one, the family can calculate the annual total in advance.
- Fast socializing: Regular activities reduce the feeling of loneliness.
- Easy travel: Pearson Airport is about 45 minutes to one hour away by car.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Cost: High school tuition is CAD 16,500. On top of this come a CAD 424 application fee, CAD 560 insurance, CAD 900 per year for custodianship, a CAD 225 placement fee and CAD 1,300 per month for homestay. The current fee should be confirmed with the school before applying.
- Application timing: Applications are accepted throughout the year, but applying four months before the intake date is recommended. The main intakes are September and February.
- School identity: As it is a Catholic board, school life is built on these values. Families should consider this in advance.
Whether Waterloo Catholic is right for your child with an engineering or health goal can be determined together in a free preliminary assessment meeting with Canadian Edu Centre, where we can also draw up a roadmap.