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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"Our Beyond the Books approach prioritizes academic success & personal growth, using success to nurture students' confidence & self-esteem to develop a willingness to take risks in the classroom & school activities.
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 Toronto, Ontario York Mills/Leslie "Learning is not one to many. It's many to one. From the teachers to the principal to the coaches and beyond, learning at WillowWood is a team approach." —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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 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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 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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 Neuchâtel, Switzerland • Toronto, Ontario "Neuchâtel Junior College offers a transformative Grade 12 or gap year in Switzerland. Students study Canadian curriculum, immerse themselves in French Swiss culture, and gain independence and a global perspective." —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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 Markham / 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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 Vaughan / Woodbridge, 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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 North Vancouver, British Columbia Harbourside Drive/ "A globally oriented university-preparatory day and boarding school combining BC academics, diverse perspectives, and structured pathways that evolve with students from Grades 8–12." —From the school
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 Vancouver, British Columbia West Georgia Street/Robson Street "We aim to create the opportunity for students to achieve their learning goals. In collaborative learning spaces, students explore content, ideas and perspectives to better understand the world around them." —From the school
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 Montreal, Quebec De Maisonneuve West/Park Row West "At Kells, flexibility is 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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 Montreal / Westmount, 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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 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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 Toronto, Ontario Don Mills/York Mills "Westfield is a focused, future-driven private school for ambitious students. We offer rigorous academics, elite university prep, and a high-performance culture for families who value discipline, excellence, and outcomes." —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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 Hamilton, Ontario Rymal Road West/Glancaster Road "HDCH, founded in 1956, is an 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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 Vancouver, British Columbia Beatty/Robson ""Learn. Serve. Lead." Dedicated to helping hard-working students get accepted into the world's top Universities." —From the school
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 Kelowna, British Columbia Hwy 97/John Hindle Drive "Here, curious, driven students thrive in an environment that balances academic excellence with arts, athletics, and character development. Cutting-edge STEM labs, creative studios, and new Athletics Centre!" —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 "Enriched STEM, Arts, and AP learning environment with individualized programming, small classes, and personalized support built around each student’s strengths, university goals, and future success." —From the school
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 Calgary, Alberta Garrison Blvd SW/33 Ave SW "Vision : Cultivating citizens who shape the future, locally and globally. Mission: Fostering a challenging, transformative bilingual education in a multicultural environment, bringing out excellence in every student." —From the school
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 Calgary, Alberta "A member of the Third Schools system, ursa extends our principles of independent, inspiriting, and inclusive beyond the traditional classroom to learners wherever they may be." —From the school
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 Woodbridge, Ontario Kipling/Highway 7 "You belong here! At TDChristian, we celebrate each student’s unique gifts in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment. With faith, learning, and belonging at our core, we engage, enfold, and empower every student." —From the school
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 Toronto, Ontario York Mills/Leslie "Hawthorn partners with parents to form well-rounded young women rooted in the Catholic faith. Through personalized attention, students excel in academics, leadership, and character, with exceptional university placement." —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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