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International Students

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Thank you for your interest in the Halton District School Board

We are no longer accepting applications for September 2021 intake. Please check this page in September for updates regarding February 2022 intake.

Key Messages for 2021-2022

Covid-19 has certainly changed the ways we operate for the 2020-2021 school year. We have moved to a Quadmester system for high school with smaller cohorts of students. HDSB is committed to keeping students safe. We are not sure how things will be in September 2021. Future applicants should anticipate slower times to obtain study permits, the continued requirement of quarantine or self-isolation upon arrival, and on-going wearing of masks in all school buildings. At this point, new students are not permitted to participate in their learning from their home countries. All families and students should monitor HDSB, and national and provincial websites for up-to-date information. More specific information will be shared at a later date.

In December, HDSB is launching our new online application portal through True North. It will look familiar, but it is easier to navigate and is more comprehensive. Starting this year, students will need to submit both a photograph of themself and a completed Letter of Intent. Also, vaccination records are required as part of the application. Applications without a photo, a letter of intent, and vaccination records will not be processed.

Students entering grade 8 will now need to complete the online Pre-Arrival English Assessment and Orientation package. Students will need their own email in order to complete the assessment and orientation. Elementary schools offered to grade 8s will reflect the student’s language proficiency and the expected secondary school assignment.

HDSB uses Western Union Global Pay to process all international payments and direct pay from approved Canadian financial institutions. Payments made through other companies such as Motion Pay will not be accepted and this will delay the processing of your application.

Halton District School Board is continuing its partnership with the Canada Homestay Network to manage homestays for international students. All new students are expected to use Canada Homestay Network for their custodian and homestay services. Please refer to our Homestay resources page for more information.

Reminders

A credit card is necessary to pay the application fee and complete the application.
Secondary students must complete an online English assessment and orientation and have their own email address. Students will be contacted through this email to set up a brief “Welcome Interview”.
Students 12 (students born in 2004) need to submit an IELTS result of at least 5.5.
HDSB health insurance is mandatory and will be charged with the school tuition fees.
Please see the admission criteria for detailed information for the International Student Program.

These schools are open to international students

Secondary	Elementary
Iroquois Ridge Secondary School Oakville Trafalgar High School Abbey Park High School White Oaks Secondary School (IB) Thomas A Blakelock High School Garth Webb Secondary School Burlington Central High School (IB) *high-demand schools that require high English proficiency	All other elementary schools are open. Please note that families have to live within the catchment area of the school where the student has been accepted. Families are required to have their own residence and cannot use the address of friends or family.

These schools have limited availability for international students

Secondary

Acton High School
Georgetown District High School
Aldershot High School
M.M. Robinson High School
Craig Kielburger Secondary School (IB)
Milton District High School

The following schools are closed to international students:

Secondary	Elementary
Dr. Frank Hayden Secondary School Nelson High School	Maplegrove Oodenawi James W Hill River Oaks Palermo Capt. R Wilson Pilgrim Wood Single track French Immersion Schools