Our high School Programme For International Students
Join us and be a part of a Canadian school!
From football teams and drama clubs to science experiments and exams, come experience it all in Canada. Our programme offers you a certain degree of flexibility and choice. You decide your length of stay, arrival date (with guidelines), and the Canadian region in which you would like to live and study. You can also choose to study in a secular public school or in a Catholic School. All levels of English proficiency are accepted, and most schools offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes if you need it.
Chooses the best path for you!
Academic Option
5 or 10 month study term – and beyond
The homestay-based program gives you a full academic and cultural immersion in a welcoming school and community. You attend classes with Canadian students and participate fully in all aspects of classroom and school life. You are expected to embrace your new academic environment with the goal of successfully passing all your classes. We encourage you to get involved in school sports or teams as a way to make new friends.
Academic option
Key Facts
Grades Available
7 through 12 (acceptance at the grade 12 level not guaranteed)
Locations
Many regions and communities across Canada
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
Available in some schools
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Available in specific schools for full year IB-DP study
Public or Catholic Schools
Public Schools in all regions. Catholic Schools in Alberta and Ontario
English or French Placement
English or French schools or communities available
Co-validation of school transcript
Possible with prior notice English or French schools or communities available
Durations and Dates
Academic Year – 10 months – September to June
Semester 1 – 5 months – September to January
Semester 2 – 5 months – February to June
Accommodation
During your stay with us you will be placed with a carefully selected host family, chosen to match your own personal profile and personality.This host family will become your new family while you are in Canada. They will welcome you into their home and treat you as they would their own family. In return, you will be expected to respect them and their traditions, and come to know about life in Canada. You will have your own room with a bed, dresser, closet, and a workspace where you can study at home. Your family will also provide you with three meals each day, taken together as a family when possible.
Sports and extracurricular activities
When you attend a school programme for an extended length of time, you become an integral part of the school community. You are encouraged to become involved in the school’s sports, arts, and cultural teams and clubs as a way to gain a full appreciation of the Canadian school experience, as well as to make new friends.
Most schools offer a range of sports that may include:
- Fall Sports: Badminton, Cross-country running, Rugby, Soccer, Swimming, Volleyball
- Winter Sports: Basketball, Skiing/Snowboarding, Wrestling
- Spring Sports: Golf, Mountain Biking, Rugby, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball
Extracurricular activities may include:
- Arts Clubs
- Chess Club
- Choir
- Debating Club
- Dance Club
- Drama
- Environmental Clubs
- Graduation Committee
- Math Clubs
- Musical Bands
- Musical Theatre
- Prom Committee
- Robotics
- School Newspaper
- Student Council
- Yearbook
Short-term Option
8 weeks to 4 months
Want to study in Canada, improve your English, and make new friends? The CISS Short-term Programme allows you to be immersed in Canadian classes and follow the regular schedule, while at the same time immersing yourself in Canadian culture through your host family and new friends. If you are between the ages of 13 to 17 years and are looking for a Canadian academic experience, but can only join us for a short time, this is the perfect programme for you.
Short-Term Option
Key Facts
Grades Available
7 through 12 (acceptance at the grade 12 level not guaranteed)
Locations
Many regions and communities across Canada
Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
International Baccalaureate (IB)
IB is not offered for participants coming for a short stay
Public or Catholic Schools
Public Schools in all regions. Catholic Schools in Alberta and Ontario
English or French Placement
Short-term program only takes place in English speaking schools
Co-validation of school transcript
Not possible for Short Term as you will not complete a full exam period
Durations and Dates
Duration: 8 weeks to 4 months
Arrival Dates: September and February (Semester start dates)
Accommodation
During your stay with us you will be placed with a carefully selected host family, chosen to match your own personal profile and personality.This host family will become your new family while you are in Canada. They will welcome you into their home and treat you as they would their own family. In return, you will be expected to respect them and their traditions, and come to know about life in Canada. You will have your own room with a bed, dresser, closet, and a workspace where you can study at home. Your family will also provide you with three meals each day, taken together as a family when possible
Sports and extracurricular activities
CISS believes that the best way to involve yourself in a school experience is to participate in all aspects of school life. A short-term stay, however, may limit the options available to you. Many competitive sports teams require students to be involved with the team for the duration of the sport season and if applicable, through play-off games. If your stay is short and will not cover the entire sport season, you likely will not be selected to be part of a competitive team. Many schools, however, offer lunch-hour intramural sports which allow students to join in a fun and quick game of basketball, volleyball etc over the lunch period. This is an excellent way to stay active and meet new friends. Social clubs may be less strict about enrollment depending on the nature of the activity.
School type
Secular Public Schools
Deemed the school of choice for the vast majority of Canadians, public schools are widely available in every community, highly regulated by each provincial Ministry of Education, and open to students of all demographic, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic levels.
With class sizes averaging 25 students, public schools deliver academic curriculum at varying levels, from the highest University level to more general levels aimed at students whose post-secondary plans may include avenues other than university. With a “no student left behind” philosophy, Canadian public schools prepare students for higher education and for life.
Complementing core academic studies are opportunities in the arts, technologies, music, business and more. International students are often amazed by the breadth of learning opportunities that exist in public schools.
school type
Catholic Public Schools
All curriculum is developed and monitored by the provincial Ministry of Education, therefore, Catholic schools offer the same academic classes and structure as secular schools. Religious education is simply one aspect of the larger academic curriculum. As part of the public system, at the High School level, students of all faiths are welcomed to register and be part of the school community.
Catholic schools are equally focused on developing core academic strengths, artistic and athletic pursuits, and ensuring graduates are well prepared for all post-secondary avenues available to them.
Photo Gallery
Experience Matters
TESTIMONIALS
Find out what our students think about our programmes
I can tell you, from my experience: You should definitely do it! It is an experience you would never have a chance to get an experience like that ever again.
Zoe, Germany
To be able to be in the places that I’ve always seen on TV was very interesting and fascinating to me.
Oneness , Nigeria
You’re going to have a lot of amazing experiences and stories that you’re going to tell when you get back to your home country.
Brais, Spain
Why Study With CISS
Your High School Programme in Canada!
Points:
High School Specialist
Various options of destinations and schools to choose from
High standards in homestay services
Student Care
Best Canadian Experience
Apply Now
Ready to start your programme?
Canadian Explorer
In this lower-cost, no-choice academic year option, CISS places you in an Ontario city or town where you’ll be one of only a few international students in the school. Placement locations are in “off the beaten path” destinations, giving you a truly unique Canadian high school immersion experience.
High School
Whether you’re looking for a more academic environment, or specific classes, or a school with great sports, our wide variety of options means we have something for everyone.
Our Homestay
The nurturing environment in a host family provides the support and care that students need to focus on their high school programme, achieve great academic results and successfully adjust to their new Canadian lifestyle.