International Student Program

The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board welcomes international students to attend high school in Canada at either of our two high schools: St. Anne’s CSS in Clinton, Ontario, or St. Michael CSS in Stratford, Ontario.

International students will benefit from the enriching educational experience that all of our students receive, including our focus on blended learning and technology to foster global competencies. They will appreciate the safety and support of our smaller communities and the personalized approach we are known for. Our schools are close to top universities and colleges, as well as popular attractions and activities.

Huron-Perth Catholic International Education logo

Our Schools and Programming

International students attend St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School (St Anne’s CSS) if they are residing in Huron County or St. Michael Catholic Secondary School (St Michael CSS) if they are residing in Perth County. In rare instances, students living just outside of our boundary may attend one of our schools, provided that the host family can assist with access to transportation that is offered within our boundaries. This decision will need to be approved by senior administration.

School Highlights

Students are encouraged to immerse themselves in school life. Our secondary schools offer supportive environments with high academic standards and engaging co-curricular activities. Students wear uniforms to school, which consist of several options to suit various preferences, and they are very affordable and of good quality. Students can access various supports in addition to their teachers to foster their academic achievement, including guidance counsellors, the school chaplain, student success teachers, and mental health and wellness coaches. 

 

School Facilities

Our school facilities include many specialized rooms and areas to enhance the learning experience:

  • Art room
  • Automotive, manufacturing, and construction shops
  • Cafetorium
  • Chapel 
  • Communications technology room and media broadcast room
  • Electrical labs
  • Fitness room
  • Foods and nutrition room
  • Gymnasiums
  • Hairstyling and aesthetics room
  • Library and learning commons for study or individual help
  • Music room
  • Outdoor grounds (including trails)
  • Science labs
  • Sports fields and running track

Clubs and Activities

St. Anne’s CSS and St. Michael CSS offer numerous co-curricular activities each year, including:

  • Student Council
  • Social Justice Club
  • Anti-Racism & Culture Club
  • Bands – Concert Band, Jazz Band
  • Drama Club
  • Chess Club
  • Gamers’ Club
  • Choir

Seasonal Sports 

Sports teams and clubs are a valued part of school life. Students can try out for various teams, including:

  • Badminton
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross-country running
  • Curling
  • Field hockey
  • Golf
  • Ice hockey
  • Nordic skiing
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track and field
  • Volleyball

Secondary School Programs

While studying with the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board, students must maintain full-time status by studying at least three Huron-Perth Catholic timetable courses each semester. Many subjects are available in our secondary schools, including:

  • Arts (Drama, Music & Visual Arts)
  • Business (Accounting, Business Leadership, Economics & Marketing)
  • Canadian and World Studies (Geography, History, Law & Politics)
  • Computers
  • English
  • French (Core or Immersion)
  • Mathematics
  • Physical and Health Education (Personal Fitness)
  • Religion
  • Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • Social Sciences & Humanities ( Food & Nutrition, Parenting, Anthropology/Psychology Sociology, Philosophy & Equity and Social Justice)
  • Technology (Construction, Communications, Design, Electrical, Hairstyling & Aesthetics, Manufacturing, Transportation)

Students can enroll in a course that is not offered by St. Anne’s CSS or St. Michael CSS, if it is deemed essential to their education. Students will then be provided opportunities through E-Learning at the provincial level to enroll in this course. Students will need to have received written permission from the Principal of the International Student Program to take one of these courses. 

Graduation Expectations

In Ontario, secondary schools offer programs from Grades 9 through 12. All permanent residents between the ages of 6 and 18 must attend school. Some students continue to attend after the required period in order to graduate from secondary school.

To receive an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), students need to complete the following requirements: 

  • 30 secondary school credits (one course usually is one credit); students planning to attend university require six university/college preparation courses in their senior level of studies to meet university entrance requirements
  • 40 hours of community service outside the regular school day
  • Successfully pass the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT)

Our Location

The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board is located in Southwestern Ontario, about a two-hour drive from Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Our geographic area encompasses historic Goderich along the Lake Huron shoreline, with many picturesque towns and villages dotted throughout the counties’ rich, productive agricultural land. The eastern boundaries of our school system encompass the beautiful towns of Listowel, Mitchell, and St. Marys and numerous beloved rural communities in between. 

At the southerly end, Stratford anchors Perth County and is one of Ontario’s finest arts towns with live world-class theatre, beautiful gardens, historical buildings and many tourist attractions. There is always something to do and see in the region all year long.

Exploring the culinary scene is an adventure that locals and visitors love to take in. People come to enjoy the many food festivals, Perth County Bakery Trail and Stratford’s Chocolate Trail, which feature different sweet treats at each stop. There are numerous restaurants, cafes, diners and food vendors to suit every style and preference.

The area boasts excellent recreational facilities where students and community members take advantage of the seasons to participate in various indoor and outdoor sports, activities, and adventures.

2024-25 International Student Fees

Secondary tuition: $14,300 school year/Sept-June (prorated for shorter terms)
Application fee: $400
Medical insurance fee: $650

Homestay fees are in addition to the tuition fees.

How to Apply

We work with GlobalEyes to coordinate our application, acceptance and placement process. International students may work with an agent or apply themselves for the program. If applying yourself, the International Student Program staff will work directly with you in all matters involving your child.

Students and Parents/Guardians

Students applying without an agent are asked to email Chris Grace, Principal of International Students, at  cgrace@huronperthcatholic.ca You will receive an email with your access information for the GlobalEyes platform. There is a non-refundable application fee of $400.

Active Agents

Active Agents who have a signed agreement with the HPCDSB will be provided with access to GlobalEyes to complete student applications.

New Agents

Agents without a contract with the HPCDSB must complete an application and be approved before receiving any information. Please contact Chris Grace, Principal, International Student Program at cgrace@huronperthcatholic.ca .

Application Process

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Step 1: Start the application

Once you have access to the GlobalEyes User System, you can begin your application. 

Step 2: Upload required documents

You will need to gather, scan and upload the following documents into the online application.

  1. A copy of the passport with a photo and identifying information; the passport MUST be valid for a minimum of 6 months upon arrival to Canada
  2. Immunization records translated into English
  3. Transcripts or report cards for the past 2 years translated into English and contain an official school stamp 
  4. Letter of recommendation from the Principal/Head of School or designate of the current school confirming the student’s grade, work habits and conduct, and suitability for international education
  5. HPCDSB Mandatory Student Participation Agreement
  6. If the student is not participating in the Huron Perth Catholic District School Boards Homestay Program because they are staying with a family member in Canada, they must provide a notarized copy of both the Custodian and Parent/Guardian custodial agreements

You will need to bring originals of documentation to Canada to present at the school registration meeting. 

Step 3: Pay the $400 application fee

Your application will not be reviewed until the application fee is paid. We use a platform called Flywire to manage payments. You’ll be guided through the process. 

Step 4: Receive confirmation of acceptance and pay tuition

Your application and documents will be reviewed. You will receive an email confirming your acceptance into the program and an invoice for the program tuition and other costs.

You will need to pay the tuition. You will also be enrolled in our medical insurance program through GuardMe.  

Step 5 - Make homestay arrangements

Start your homestay application process through our homestay provider, MLI Homestay. Students must provide the following information:

  • A completed homestay application
  • A photocopy of the student’s passport with the student’s photograph
  • A letter of introduction written by the student
  • A letter of introduction written by the student’s natural parent or legal guardian
  • Photos of the student with their family at home partaking in regular daily activities

All homestay applications require a $500 non-refundable homestay application fee to be paid directly to MLI Homestay.  

If you do not require homestay services because the student is staying with a family member, you will need to submit the following documents:

Step 6 - Download your official Letter of Acceptance and Letter of Accomodation

Once tuition has been received, your official Letter of Acceptance and Letter of Accommodation will be available in your profile on the GlobalEyes platform. You will need to download copies of these letters for your study permit application.

Step 7 - Apply for your study permit

Apply for your study permit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. You will need to upload your Letter of Acceptance and Letter of Accommodation as part of this process.

Please note that the new requirement from the federal government (January 24, 2024) to have a provincial attestation letter to apply for a study permit does not apply to high school students.

Step 8 - Receive your Canadian visa and make travel arrangements

You will receive a Canadian visa by mail or by email. Your study permit will be provided when you land in Canada at Canada Customs.

Make your travel arrangements to arrive in Canada on or after August 28. If you need to arrive earlier, please coordinate arrival through MLI Homestay. You will complete the school registration process during your first week in Canada. 

Step 9 - Complete the Vital English Assessment

Within two weeks of acceptance to the International Student Program, you will receive an email with a link to complete an English assessment. The assessment must be completed by the provided deadline to assess the student’s English skills, which will be used to help determine school placement and homestay location. 

Step 10 - After you arrive in Canada

Welcome!

Once you’re settled in with your homestay provider, you will need to do a few more things to get ready for school:

  • logon to your GlobalEyes profile and upload a copy of the study permit you received when you came through customs at the airport
  • pre-register for your school by creating an account with the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board registration portal
  • make an appointment at your school to meet with your guidance counselor and a school administrator; to book an appointment, call the school directly:
    • St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School at (519) 482-5454 ​
    • St. Michael Catholic Secondary School at (519) 271-0890

​​You will need to bring original copies of the following documents to your school appointment:

  • study permit
  • passport
  • custodial parents’ contact information (address, phone numbers, email addresses)
  • custodial documents
  • proof of health insurance while living in Canada
  • official English-translated school report cards/transcripts for the two previous academic years
  • English-translated copies of immunization records

Homestay Information

We work with MLI Homestay to coordinate homestay placements for our international students. Students are matched with a local English-speaking family where they will learn about Canadian values and lifestyles. Our homestay families provide a supportive environment for international students to achieve academic excellence and personal growth.

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Apply For Homestay

All students participating in the International Student Program must complete a homestay application.  Students must provide the following information to MLI Homestay:

  • A completed homestay application
  • A photocopy of the student’s passport with the student’s photograph
  • A letter of introduction written by the student
  • A letter of introduction written by the student’s natural parent or legal guardian
  • Photos of the student with their family at home partaking in regular daily activities

All homestay applications require a deposit equal to the application fee and custodian fee, which are non-refundable. 

Become a Host Family

Hosting an international student can be an enriching and memorable experience for your family. It is an opportunity to learn more about a new culture and language, and enjoy an international experience at home. Many families foster life-long connections with the students they host. As a host family, you commit to include the international student in your family life and to provide:

  • Three nutritious meals per day and snacks
  • A private room with a door, a window, a bed and a desk
  • A shared bathroom
  • Supervised internet access 

Hosts are compensated to offset costs. Please consider this opportunity and apply to be a host family.  For more information, please contact Shanice or Shauna at host@mlihomestay.com or visit mlihomestay.com.

Student Placement Process

Once a student has been accepted into the International Student Program and completed a Homestay application along with the non-refundable deposit application fee, MLI Homestay will begin the search for a host family. The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB) Homestay Program operates from August 28 to June 27 each year. Students who arrive anytime before August 28 or stay beyond June 27 will be subject to a daily fee of $45 per day and must be granted permission to stay beyond these approved dates.

What to expect:

  • Carefully matched host families
  • Maximum of two international students per home, always of the same gender 
  • Private bedroom with a closet and desk
  • Three nutritious meals per day
  • Use of telephone (local calls only), laundry and internet 
  • Placement within 60 minutes of school
  • Transportation to and from school via school board transportation where applicable
  • English-speaking home environment
  • Monthly check-ins by the homestay coordinator 

MLI homestay makes every effort to meet the requests listed on the homestay application; however, this is not always possible. 

Changing Homestay Families

Sometimes, difficulties can arise between a student and their host family. MLI will attempt to mediate these situations with the help of their local Homestay coordinator and the Principal of the International School Program.

The homestay coordinator will consult the Principal of the International Student Program. The Principal will consult the host family, the student, and their natural parents or legal guardians before changing host family homes. A mandatory fee of $500 will be paid directly to Muskoka Languages International to accommodate this change. 

Custodianship

Muskoka Languages International provides special custodianship services for all international students. The HPCDSB requires all International Student Program students to be involved with this service regardless of age to ensure that all students have care and attention throughout the study program.

Homestay Fees

Homestay Application Fee $550
Homestay Application Fee (Extension) $200
Monthly Homestay Fee $900
Change of Homestay Fee $500
Custodianship Fee $1,600
Airport Transfer Fee $400
Bank Fee (per invoice) $35

A deposit of $2,150 is required at the time of application to begin processing the custodian paperwork. Final payments are due 60 days before arrival.

Total homestay program fees include (for all of the above, including one bank fee for a wire transfer):

Academic Year Program (10 months) – $12,765
Academic Semester Program ( 5 months) – $6,965

Additional fees
  • Extended stay — The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board (HPCDSB) Homestay Program operates from August 28 to June 27 each year. Students who arrive anytime before August 28 or stay beyond June 27 will be subject to a daily fee of $45 per day.
  • Changing homestay families — should a decision be made to change homestay families, a mandatory fee of $500 is paid directly to MLI Homestay to accommodate this change. 
  • Airport transfer fees — A mandatory airport transfer fee of $400 is included in the overall homestay program fee above to facilitate the transportation of students participating in the International Student Program. This fee includes the cost of travel upon arrival (airport to host family) and then again at departure (host family to airport). Arrivals and departures are expected between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. Additional charges may apply outside the given times.

Agent Information

The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board is excited to work with several authorized agents worldwide to support the International Student Program. All authorized agents must have a contractual agreement with Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board before accepting any student(s) in the International Student Program. Agents can also be referred to our program with the support of other international programs.

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Course for Agents

Agents may consider taking a free course about Canada as a study-abroad destination at www.canadacourse.ca

The Canada Course for Education Agents is produced by the federal government (Global Affairs Canada) in cooperation with the Canadian Consortium for International Education (CCIE) and ICEF to support professional standards in education advising.

Finding an Agent

We invite parents/guardians and students to contact an agent to help navigate the International Student Program application process. Please contact us at the address below if you need more information about finding an agent in your country.

Chris Grace
Principal of the International Student Program
3927 Perth Road 180, 87 Mill Street
Dublin, Ontario, Canada
N0K 1E0
1-519-345-2440 ext. 8016
cgrace@huronperthcatholic.ca

Study Permits

Global Affairs Canada processes study permits. You need a letter of acceptance to apply for a study permit.  For more information on the application process, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

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Extending Your Stay

Students who wish to extend their study permit are responsible for applying for an extension at least 90 days before the termination of their study permit. Applications to extend your study permit are through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Other Immigration Information

International students should review the Immigration and Citizenship website for detailed information about international students. This information can change periodically; all students should know additional travel requirements.

If international students are flying to Canada, they may require an Electronic Travel Authorization(ETA). An ETA is a new entry requirement for citizens from countries other than the United States who do not need a visa to enter Canada.

Contact Us 

Please contact us with questions. 

Chris Grace 
Principal, International Student Program
Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board
cgrace@huronperthcatholic.ca
+1-519-345-2440(ext 8016)