INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
The International Student program is designed to allow students
from around the world to enter the Howe Sound
District's public schools and to study and learn along with Canadian
students of the same age.
The program encourages cultural awareness and international
understanding by bringing the students together
and enabling them to experience similar challenges socially, in
the classroom and on the sports field.
The Howe Sound School District is located in British Columbia's
spectacular Sea to Sky corridor where nature
has provided tremendous recreational opportunities. The parks,
forests, mountains and beaches are free for
you to enjoy.
The District contains three major population centres:
Squamish is a growing community with a deep sea port
facility. It is a centre for forestry and is fast becoming
known for rock climbing, windsurfing, and golfing. Squamish has
6 elementary schools and 2 secondary
schools.
Whistler is a world famous all season resort municipality,
renowned for quality skiing on the twin mountains of
Whistler and Blackcomb. Three world class golf courses are located
within the community. Whistler has 1
elementary, and 1 secondary school and is 45 minutes from Squamish.
Pemberton located in the Pemberton Valley, is a rural
community supported by forestry and agriculture.
Pemberton has 1 elementary school and 1 secondary school. The
District Outdoor Education centre is also
located in the Pemberton Valley on 237 forested acres surrounded
by huge snow-capped peaks. Pemberton is
located 35 minutes from Whistler.
International students are able to live and study in any one of these clean, small, and safe communities.
The Howe Sound School District is a 45 minute drive from
Vancouver, the largest city in the province. Living
within close proximity of Vancouver enables residents to enjoy
the benefits the city has to offer. It has excellent
international connections both in business and tourism. The cultural
diversity of inhabitants is rich and varied
with international restaurants, art programs, theatres, major
sports activities, universities, colleges and great
Canadian shopping.
Schools in the Howe Sound District:
Schools in the Howe Sound School District are committed
to academic excellence. British Columbia academic
courses are taught by dedicated teachers who well prepare students
for provincial examinations and
post-secondary studies.
The Howe Sound School District is government supported and must meet high government standards.
All Our teachers are university trained and must be members of the College of teachers.
The Howe Sound School District has a modern and progressive
school system offering a full range of
educational programs and services.
Courses of study in all Secondary Schools
include: 
All secondary schools are new or recently renovated so the
facilities are technologically equipped to
meet the needs of the 21st century.
Due to the size of these schools we are able to offer a personalized service to students.
All schools have their own libraries, computer laboratories,
gymnasiums, art, band, theatre and fully
operational science labs.
Most schools in the District offer Career Programs which
combine academic foundation studies,
selected studies in a career area, and related work experience
for senior students.
Of special interest to International students is our quarter
system with four entry dates during the
year. Students may start school in September, November, February
or April.
The District has tremendous outdoor education resources.
Students are able to participate in such
activities as hiking, golfing, sailing, rock climbing, windsurfing,
basketball, volleyball, badminton,
biking, bowling, skating and swimming.
Two of our schools include skiing as part of their curriculum.
Many International Students who come to Howe Sound plan
to complete their secondary school
education and then enter a University or College in Canada or
the United States.
Students who graduate from the Howe Sound School District
can enter into Capilano College our
local post secondary institute. It is also possible to commute
to the University of British Columbia
and Simon Fraser University from within our district.
Our schools are fully accredited by British Columbia's Ministry of Education.
In Summary:
We offer:
Graduation Programs for students grade 7-12 (ages 12-18).
2-3 week English Language and Activity Programs.
We have:
Four entry dates during the year- September, November February, and April.
Government approved and supported schools .
High academic standards .
ESL instruction.
Personalized services to students .
High School graduation certificate recognized by all Canadian and United States Universities .
Close proximity to Vancouver .
Fantastic natural resources. The number one ski resort in
North America- Whistler is located
within our School District .
An excellent Homestay Program .
Homestay Program
Accommodation with a Canadian Family is an important part
of the International Educational
program. Students are provided with the warmth and security of
a home away from home and an
opportunity to speak English in a natural, friendly situation.
The homestay family provides full room & board and students
are included in all regular family
activities including special occasions, family gatherings and
events.
The homestay family is expected to introduce the student
to the community, the community facilities
and special events. The family will ensure that the student knows
the location of all available
services.
The homestay cost ranges from $650 per month to $750 per
month depending on location within the
School District.
Tuition Fee
The tuition fee is currently $12,000 CDN per school year and includes the $100 application fee.
It is payable to School District No. 48 (Howe Sound) by
certified cheque, bank draft or money order.
This payment is due upon receipt of the student's letter of confirmed
acceptance. There will be a full
refund (less application and administrative fees) if the Student
Authorization is not approved by
Canadian Immigration.
Please note that it is the responsibility of the student
to obtain a visiting student authorization from
the Canadian High Commission in the applicant's country of residence.
Refund Procedure:
In the event that an applicant does not come to Canada or
decides to leave the Howe Sound school
system for personal reasons, a portion of the paid tuition fee
will be refunded. All request must be
made in writing. The following refund procedures will apply to
International Students:
a. Full refund, less application and administration fees
($100.00), if the visiting student authorization
is not approved by Canada Immigration (student must include letter
of rejection from High
Commission).
b. Two-thirds (2/3) of tuition fee, if the student withdraws prior to the commencement of the program.
c. One-half (½) of the tuition fee, if the student
withdraws anytime between commencement and the
end of the first calendar month of the program.
d. No refund of the tuition fee if the student withdraws after the first calendar month of the program.
e. If the student is found to be in violation of the school
rules (i.e. chronic absenteeism, drinking
alcohol, taking drugs, etc.) there is no refund and the student
is sent home at the parent(s) expense.
f. Students receiving Landed Immigrant Status mid-year (October-June) will not receive a refund.
Procedure for Applying
The International Student Program is open to applicants
interested in studying at the grade7 to grade
12 level (ages 12 to 19 years).
Students are required to submit the following in order to apply:
A completed application form.
Original or certified true copies of transcripts from the current
and previous two years of study.
A letter of recommendation from his/her current school.
A recent photograph.
English test results (if available).
Application Fee $100.00 CDN.
Please send the completed application form with all documentation to:
Click here for the application form
School
District's No. 48 Picture Gallery
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