We can’t deny it, Canada has done its best to make education very affordable, especially at the high school level.
Right now, public high school education is free, even though it’s only for students whose parents are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Therefore, if your parents or guardians are on a temporary visa, your high school education isn’t free.
You’ll pay tuition along with other expenses.
But, there’s good news; most high schools are affordable – they offer subsidies to keep the costs of education affordable.
We’ve shared some of these cheap high schools that accept international students below.
Cheapest high schools in Canada for international students
In most provinces and territories (each province has its curriculum), high school normally starts in grades 8, 9, or 10 and runs until grade 12.
For now, it’s only Quebec that has something different. There, it starts in grade 7 and stops in grade 11.
Depending on your province, the schools below are affordable.
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Windsor Secondary School, Vancouver
Windsor Secondary School (Founded in 1961) is a public secondary school located in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
You’ll find students from all over the world here, Asia, Europe, Africa, name it.
And that’s not all. Education here goes for a reasonable price.
The school is part of the North Vancouver School District (SD44) and they cover education for students in grades 8 to 12.
To make life easier for foreign students, they have a dedicated faculty that focuses on helping international students thrive academically.
If you are a fan of high school football, you’ll know the school’s AA senior football team called the “Dukes”, they have been successful in the past decade.
Read also: Can I change my course in Australia under subclass 500?
You may also know their juniors, they won an AA Provincial Championship in 2008 and 2015.
Windsor Secondary School is a great option if you’re looking for cheap schools.
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Thornhill Secondary School, Ontario
Another amazing high school is Thornhill Secondary School.
It is a public high school that officially opened in 1956 and is located at 167 Dudley Avenue in Thornhill, Ontario, Canada.
It’s part of the York Region District School Board (YRDSB).
For a school located in the heart of Ontario, Thornhill is surprisingly affordable.
The school’s motto, “Post Proelium Praemium,” translates to “After the Struggle, the Reward,” and reflects its commitment to perseverance and achievement.
Read also: International students in Australia cannot change courses under the new law.
The school’s commitment to quality education is not reflected in its fees.
Notable Alumni
Thornhill Secondary School has many distinguished alumni, including:
- Milos Raonic: Professional tennis player who has represented Canada on the international stage – Wikipedia
- Cameron Bailey: Artistic Director and Co-Head of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) – Wikipedia
- Daniel Dale: Journalist known for his political reporting – Wikipedia
You can find the school on social media, @TSStigersYRDSB is the official Twitter account of Thornhill.
Read also: What happens if an international student fails a class in Canada?
If your kid loves sports, TSS has Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, Girls’ Field Hockey, Golf, Ice Hockey, Track and Field, Cross Country, and Skiing teams.
Official website of Thornhill Secondary School
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Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute, Toronto
Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute (CCI) is a well-known public high school located at 550 Markham Road in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario.
It was established in 1961 and is part of the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).
CCI serves students from grades 9 to 12.
The school’s motto is “Nil Sine Magno Labore,” meaning “Nothing Without Great Effort.”
To prepare students for success, CCI has specialized programs like the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, Advanced Placement (AP) Courses and Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSM).
With these programs, students are allowed to focus on career paths that align with their interests.
If English is not your first language, you’re not left out, they have an English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
The facilities at CCI are super cool with a well-stocked library, multiple computer labs with modern technology, and well-equipped science labs among others.
Read also: 50 best Canadian scholarships for foreign students.
There are also athletic facilities like a gymnasium, sports fields, and a swimming pool to help students stay fit.
Students who aren’t fans of sports can participate in debate clubs, robotics clubs, music bands, drama clubs, environmental clubs, and student councils.
Another great aspect of this school is that it maintains strong community involvement and has partnerships with local businesses and community organizations.
CCi has over the years produced notable alumni who have excelled in different fields like business, sports, and the arts.
Furthermore, CCI and its programs have received many awards and recognition for their great work in education and fostering growth.
As a parent, you’re part of the Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute community if you have your kid(s) there.
They actively engage with parents, maintaining an active parent council.
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Westwood Community High School, Alberta
Westwood Community High School should be top of your list if you are searching for an affordable high school in Canada.
The school shines in all areas of learning but still rates high on affordability.
Located in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Westwood serves students from grades 7 through 12.
The school is part of the Fort McMurray Public School Division and emphasizes both academic excellence and personal growth.
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It consistently ranks high in the region, which has made it the darling destination for students from all corners of Canada.
Westwood is a leader in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.
They have modern labs and lots of tech in the classroom.
The school’s robotics and engineering clubs have won many awards.
If you’re a prospective engineering student, this is the right school for you.
To make learning more engaging, Westwood actively engages with the community through events like the “Winter Wonderland”.
This event features activities like cookie decorating and indoor snowball fights and therefore, creates a sense of community and school spirit.
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Central Technical School (Toronto, Ontario)
Central Technical School, commonly known as Central Tech, is a high school located at 725 Bathurst Street in Toronto, Ontario.
This public high school was established in 1915 and operates under the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).
It has approximately 1,600 students and is one of the oldest technical schools in the city.
The school’s motto, “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield,” reflects its commitment to inspiring students to pursue excellence in all endeavours.
To engage with students, parents, and the broader community, CTS maintains an active presence on social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.
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École secondaire publique De La Salle, Ottawa
If you prefer studying in the bilingual city of Ottawa, École secondaire publique De La Salle will make a good option.
The school, located at 501 Old St-Patrick Street in Ottawa, Ontario, is a French-language public school that serves students from grades 7 through 12.
It was established in 1971, and operates under the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CÉPEO).
“École secondaire publique De La Salle is best known for its Centre d’excellence artistique de l’Ontario (CEAO), which offers specialized arts programs in eight areas: Media & Visual Arts, Dance (Ballet & Contemporary), Writing & Literature, Theatre, Wind & Percussion Music, Strings Music, Vocal Music, and Cinema & Television.”
With these programs, students who are interested in professional artists receive proper training.
In 2021, the school in its effort to support students, added new facilities like eight classrooms, two professional dance studios, a gym, and a weight room.
De La Salle has produced notable alumni like NHL defenseman Dan Boyle and Canadian Idol finalist Steffi DiDomenicantonio.
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Vincent Massey Collegiate (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
This is yet another interesting public high school that accepts international students in Canada.
It is commonly called Vincent Massey Collegiate or VMC.
The school, established in 1960 is located at 975 Dowker Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is named after Vincent Massey, the 18th Governor General of Canada.
VMC operates under the Pembina Trails School Division and serves approximately 1,374 students from grades 9 through 12.
The school has both English and French programs, and their curriculum includes core subjects, plus language courses like beginner-level Spanish and Japanese.
Additionally, it supports an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program to assist students whose first language is not English.
Beyond academics, the school is a hub for extracurricular activities.
Its athletic teams, known as the Massey Trojans, participate in different sports and have achieved recognition in provincial competitions.
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Crescent Heights High School (Calgary, Alberta)
Crescent Heights High School was established in 1915 as Crescent Heights Collegiate Institute and initially operated from what everyone now calls Balmoral School.
It is located at 1019 1 St NW in Calgary, Alberta, and serves students in grades 10 through 12.
As part of the Calgary Board of Education, the school is focused on academic excellence, character development, and lifelong learning.
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Burnaby South Secondary School (Burnaby, British Columbia)
If you’re looking for a school with state-of-the-art facilities, then Burnaby South Secondary School should be top of your list.
The school houses the Michael J. Fox Theatre, a professional-grade venue that serves both the school and the broader community.
In addition, the school also has a fully equipped TV production studio, making it the only public school in British Columbia with such a facility.
Outside academic excellence, Burnaby South Secondary School is committed to extracurricular activities.
It has a rich history of notable alumni who have excelled in various fields.
Among them is Christine Sinclair, a celebrated soccer player and captain of the Canadian women’s national team, who graduated in 2000.
Burnaby South Secondary School celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2022, marking 100 years of educational excellence.
Other cheap high schools in Canada for international students include:
- Colonel By Secondary School (Ottawa, Ontario)
- Woburn Collegiate Institute (Toronto, Ontario)
- Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School (Vancouver, British Columbia)
- Cobequid Educational Centre (Truro, Nova Scotia)
- Downsview Secondary School
- Leaside High School
- Newtonbrook Secondary School
- Northview Heights Secondary School
- Westview Centennial Secondary School
How much does high school cost for international students in Canada?
There is no fixed amount for you pay for high school education.
Each high school has its tuition fee.
Some schools charge more than others. What you’ll do depends on the school you enrol in.
In addition, public high schools charge lower than private high schools.
On average, high schools cost between 5,000 CAD to 30,000 CAD.
Beyond tuition fees, you’ll also pay for activities like sports, excursions, and other recreational activities.
If you’re looking for an affordable high school for your kid, you can pick from the above list.
In addition, look around you, you’ll find a school near you that is affordable.
Wherever you decide to register your kid, rest assured that your child will receive the best education.