Homestay is an informal term that schools use in reference to billeting programs. It is an alternative form of student accommodation, and while popular with international students, is available to domestic students as well. Most typically, schools will offer homestay options when they don't have on-campus boarding, though at times it is offered in addition to on-campus boarding. Read more
"Our Beyond the Books approach provides opportunities for success in class & beyond; nurturing the growth of students' confidence & self-esteem, to take risks when learning, to reach their personal & academic potential.
—From the school
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Toronto, Ontario York Mills/Leslie "Hawthorn School is located in Toronto. We offer a co-ed toddler-SK program and an all girls program for grade 1- grade 12. Our unique mentoring program is tailored to help students reach their full potential." —From the school
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Belleville, Ontario "We are a therapeutic boarding school for Gr. 3-12 students requiring individualized academic, clinical, and behaviour-management solutions in small class sizes and professional home stay or boarding environments" —From the school
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Victoria, British Columbia "GNS is an independent JK-12 International Baccalaureate boarding and day school in Victoria, BC, that empowers and supports each of our students to do their best through truth and courage in learning and in life." —From the school
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Caledon, Ontario Hwy 10/Old School Road "The Hill Academy is Canada's premier independent school for students in K-12/PG. Students are challenged in a supportive environment to explore the boundaries of their academic, athletic and leadership potential." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge/Eglinton "We go beyond curriculum expectations to provide opportunities for students to earn admission into their university of choice using our AP accreditation, staff expertise and individualized goals in small classes." —From the school
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North Vancouver, British Columbia Harbourside Drive/ "Bodwell High School emphasizes a well-rounded education with strong student support. The school's motto, "Strength in Diversity," pays homage to the 40+ countries students come from. Bodwell offers AP and IB courses." —From the school
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Oshawa, Ontario Wilson Road/Adelaide Ave "At G.B.MS, D.E.P.S and Durham Academy Secondary school focus is on each individual student and helping them meet their unique potential and goals. We believe in excellent customer service and families have a voice. Throughout the year we enhance our programs through program enhancement and enrichment." —From the school
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Montreal, Quebec "Our community inspires students to discover joy and passion in their learning, purpose in their lives, and the confidence to express their unique selves in a nurturing, inclusive, and collaborative environment." —From the school
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Calgary, Alberta Garrison Blvd SW/33 Ave SW "Lycée international de Calgary is the only school in Calgary to teach the French Ministry of Education and Alberta Education curricula. 3-years-old to Grade 12. All linguistic backgrounds are welcome. Small class sizes." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge/Sheppard "A STEM-oriented private high school in North York, catering to local and international students both in-person and virtual classes. We take pride in our students' impressive university placement achievements." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Mariposa Avenue/Springfield "This traditional private school in Ottawa, Ontario offers Grades 4 to 12 with 100 boarding and 600 day school students. Tuition is from $33,720 to $76,830." —From the school
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Breslau, Ontario "Students receive an excellent education which prepares them well for university, college and a wide variety of workplaces." —From the school
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Vancouver, British Columbia Dunsmuir/Seymour "Alexander Academy is a private high school offering the BC Dogwood High School Diploma and a unique University Transfer Program in a culturally rich and academically challenging environment." —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario Burnhamthorpe Rd. W/Neyagawa Blvd. "King’s Christian Collegiate is an independent Christian high school providing superb instruction in a safe, stimulating academic environment. Caring staff set the tone for a positive, up-beat culture." —From the school
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Thetford, Vermont(USA) "TA’s award-winning faculty are recognized for their innovative teaching practices, learners are engaged, and diversity is celebrated. TA students work collaboratively and independently to reach their full potential." —From the school
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Hamilton, Ontario Rymal Road West/Glancaster Road "HDCH, founded in 1956, is imaginative, innovative learning environment. Our programs are designed to challenge a wide range of learners. We welcome local and international students into our Christ-Centred community!" —From the school
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Kitchener, Ontario "Incorporating academic excellence, service and peace-making, Rockway is a diverse learning community of students in Grades 7 to 12 including a dynamic international student exchange program." —From the school
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Vaughan, Ontario "At Vaughan College instructions are embedded with strategies appropriate to the students' unique needs. We develop students' confidence and their urge to do better, which results in a high university acceptance rate." —From the school
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Duncan, British Columbia Brownsey Avenue/Government Street "Queen Margaret's School is a gender inclusive independent day/boarding university preparatory school in Duncan, BC that focuses on preparing young trailblazers...no two journeys are the same." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "We welcome children from all families, Christians, or non-Christians. We tailor make k-12 curriculum to fit each kid’s unique characteristics. our teachers are professional with truthful love & highly responsible." —From the school
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St. Catharines, Ontario Ontario St./Welland Ave. "Heuristic & autodidactic, inspired by Sudbury & democratic models. Students are self-directed, and holistically empowered. Voluntary attendance, year-round calendar, agency, & consent inspire free learning. Also Forest" —From the school
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North York, Ontario Leslie Street/401 "Webtree Academy offers individualized education programs which fully support students' academic needs, and helps them achieve educational and personal goals. Small class sizes are designed to inspire and engage students." —From the school
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Woodbridge, Ontario Kipling/Highway 7 "Each student is unique. Why be just a number when you can be valued for who you are? We enfold, engage and empower every student in a safe, friendly, and supportive learning community. You belong here!" —From the school
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Montreal, Quebec De Maisonneuve West/Park Row West "At Kells, flexibility is the key. We develop programs allowing students to work within their comfort zone, which may be above, below or at grade level. The result is students who outperform even their own expectations." —From the school
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Hamilton, Ontario Garth Street/Fennell Avenue West "Established in 1901, Hillfield Strathallan College is one of Canada’s leading co-educational independent schools, offering academic programs from Montessori Toddler and Pre-K to Grade 12, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada." —From the school
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Through homestay programs, students stay with a host family living near the school. Often, the program is organized and managed by the school administration—the school recruits host families, assigns students to them, and maintains frequent, direct contact with the families and students throughout the school year. Host families apply to be part of the program, and are screened by the school. Further, host families are required to adhere to provincial homestay guidelines, including a police screen for any person resident within the home who is 18 years of age or older.
Homestay programs are attractive to:
Students are provided a room, meals, and otherwise participate in the life of the family. Often homestay families have an association with the school, including having their own children enrolled there, though that isn't typically a requirement of a host family.
The experience of living in a homestay setting is familial, and the student lives with the same host family for the entire school year. In a majority of cases, only one student is billeted with a family, and families offer a room in their home out of an interest in supporting a learner while also forging a relationship with someone from away. As such, the benefits are reciprocal: the visiting student wishes to have a safe, personal accommodation in the host community, while the billeting family is interested in meeting and getting to know someone from another culture.
Visiting students are responsible to abide by the rules of the home, and to respect the family's space, just as the family is responsible to respect theirs. The homestay parents are also responsible for providing healthy meals, and to ensure that they arrive at school each day on time and prepared to learn. The host parents will also provide guidance, just as they would to their own children, so it's important for families to be aware of the values held within the home, and also share them.
While host families provide daily support, and respond to any needs as they arise, they are not automatically designated as the student’s legal custodian. Should the host family agree, they may be approached to provide legal custodianship, though that designation can also be handled separately, either by the student's family or through school administration.
Children 17 years of age or younger and not arriving with a parent or legal guardian are required to be in the care of a responsible adult while they are in Canada. This person is known as a custodian. The custodian must be designated prior to your arrival in Canada through the completion of a notarized Custodianship Declaration (IMM 5646). The custodian must live in Canada and be older than 19 years of age. Often the custodian is connected to the family as a family friend or relative. Otherwise, the admissions officer of the school that you plan to attend can help if you need to find someone eligible to act as a custodian.
NOTE: For up-to-date legal information regarding travel requirements, please refer to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act or the Citizenship Act, as applicable.
All international students who wish to study in Canada for more than six consecutive months must obtain a study permit. To apply, students must first be accepted and have a letter of acceptance in hand.
Citizens of some countries also require a temporary resident visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) in order to travel to Canada. For more information on travel documentation requirements, and to find out if you need either a visa or an eTA in order to travel to Canada visit the Government of Canada, office of immigration and citizenship website.
International students need to arrange for their own health and dental coverage while in Canada. Students who hold official landed immigrant status or permanent residency status should apply for provincial health coverage from the province where they will be studying. Students who are not eligible for provincial health insurance must provide documentation to the school showing that they have medical coverage through their parents or otherwise have purchased an international student medical plan. The admissions officer at the school can provide guidance and advice on obtaining a medical plan.
How school size impacts the student experience at TCS [Read more]
TCS’s service learning program provides the hands-on experience of giving back [Read more]
What language education at Alexander von Humboldt German International School Montreal provides [Read more]
How HTS is building a state-of-the-art online education platform that focuses on student relationships [Read more]
How The Linden School paves the way for global change through their STEM programs [Read more]
How a new on-site theatre will support Villanova College’s rich arts programming [Read more]
School size matters
How school size impacts the student experience at TCS (April 4, 2024)
La critique de l'éditeur de Our Kids: La Citadelle International Academy.
(March 19, 2024)
Out of the class and into the community
TCS’s service learning program provides the hands-on experience of giving back (February 13, 2024)
The benefits of multilingualism
What language education at Alexander von Humboldt German International School Montreal provides (February 1, 2024)
Profile of Carrie Hughes-Grant, Head of School, Holy Name of Mary College
“It’s all about giving the girls a voice.” (December 14, 2023)
