International schools in Canada 2026: fees & curricula

International schools in Canada

Canada's private and international schools are concentrated in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Ottawa. The most widely offered programmes are the International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP and Diploma) and Advanced Placement, alongside the provincial Canadian curricula; a smaller number of schools follow British or other international programmes. Annual private-school tuition commonly ranges from roughly CAD 20,000 to CAD 45,000, with elite day and boarding schools charging more. Budget separately for application and registration fees, deposits, uniforms, transport and exams; some schools add an international-student supplement for children on study permits.

Public schools and homeschooling

Public school is free for the children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents from kindergarten through high school, and the children of most work-permit holders (and certain study-permit holders) can also attend free — but education is a provincial responsibility, so eligibility, documentation and any fees vary by province and school board. Instruction is in English or French depending on the province, and French-immersion streams are widely available. Homeschooling is legal in every province and territory, with rules ranging from simple annual notification to more structured oversight; check your provincial ministry of education.

At a glance

Where it fits in a borderless plan

Canada's free, high-quality public schools make family relocation easier, while big-city IB and private options give continuity for globally mobile children. Schools are often the deciding factor in a family move, so weigh them alongside healthcare, banking and where you are tax-resident. Compare options in our international-schools guide.