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
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Private School Expo - Fall 2024 Yes, I want to attend
Access school reviews, insights, and comparisons through our comprehensive reports below.
These are the leading schools that Our Kids editors have covered most extensively so far, providing detailed insights and thorough analysis of their programs, student life, and more.
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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 27
"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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Meet them at the Expo: Oct 26
"Our Beyond the Books approach provides opportunities for students’ academic & personal growth, nurturing students' confidence & self-esteem and willingness to take risks through the classroom & organized activities.
—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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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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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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Breslau, Ontario "Woodland combines academic excellence, spiritual growth, and community engagement. With a Christ-centered education, diverse curriculum, dedicated faculty, and supportive culture, it's an ideal choice for families." —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 provides a competitive, well-rounded education with strong student support. The school's motto, "Strength in Diversity," pays homage to the 40+ countries students come from to live and learn together." —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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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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Calgary, Alberta "Our vision is student success. Success is realized through our highly flexible programs, outstanding instructional delivery, and extensive student supports. Our bursary program ensures our services are accessible to all." —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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Kelowna, British Columbia Hwy 97/John Hindle Drive "Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School in Kelowna, British Columbia offers programs for Preschool to Grade 12 with enrollment of 700 day students and class sizes that range from 16-22 students." —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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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 $36,250 to $80,670." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario York Mills/Leslie "Hawthorn is the only independent, Catholic-inspired, all girls school in Toronto that provides character education, personal mentorship, and a classical liberal arts education that is university preparatory." —From the school
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North York, Ontario Don Mills Road/York Mills Road "For over a decade, Merit College has been helping thousands of talented students from local communities and around the world reach their full potential and gain admission to top universities." —From the school
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North York, Ontario Leslie Street/401 "Webtree Academy offers a rich learning experience in STEM, ARTS, AP and bilingual study in a highly individualized curriculum fully customized to each students needs." —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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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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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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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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Calgary, Alberta Garrison Blvd SW/33 Ave SW "Experience exceptional bilingual education in Calgary with dual French Ministry & Alberta Education curricula. A unique bilingual journey from preschool to high school! Join us now!" —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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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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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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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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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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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.
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