Public schools in British Columbia welcome international students from kindergarten to Grade 12. In Greater Victoria, three school districts run international programs: Greater Victoria (SD61), Sooke (SD62) and Saanich (SD63). This page explains how K–12 study works, how the three districts differ, and what the 2026–27 fees include, so you can compare options before you apply.
Hello Victoria Canada is an authorized agent of SD61 Greater Victoria, SD62 Sooke and SD63 Saanich. Tuition is paid directly to the school. district. Being an agent does not guarantee admission, a study permit, or placement at a particular school.
How K–12 study works in BC public schools
Grades and the school year
BC public schools run from kindergarten to Grade 12. In Greater Victoria, schools are usually grouped as elementary (K–5), middle (6–8) and secondary (9–12), although grade groupings vary by school. The school year runs from September to June. International students usually start in September or at the second semester in late January or early February, and can enrol for one semester, one year, or until graduation.
Students who want to earn the BC Certificate of Graduation (the “Dogwood” diploma) are generally advised to arrive by Grade 9 or 10. Sooke School District, for example, recommends Grade 9 or 10, or Grade 11 for students with strong English.
School districts and international programs
Each school district runs its own international student program with its own admissions office, fee schedule and homestay team. You apply to the district, not to an individual school; the district then places the student at a school, taking requests into account where space allows. Popular schools and programs such as IB can fill early.
Homestay through the district
SD61, SD62 and SD63 each run their own homestay program. The district screens host families (including criminal record checks and home visits), places the student, and provides support if problems come up. Homestay normally includes a private furnished bedroom, three meals a day and a place to study. Homestay fees are billed by the month and are not prorated. Special diets usually cost extra.
Custodianship for minors
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires students under 17 to either come with a parent or legal guardian or have a custodian in Canada. The custodian must be a responsible adult who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Parents and the custodian sign a Custodianship Declaration (IMM 5646), and each page is notarized: the custodian’s in Canada and the parents’ in their home country. The declaration is submitted with the study permit application. For students 17 and older a custodian is optional, but an officer may ask for one. Some districts set a stricter rule. Coquitlam (SD43), for example, asks for a custodian for any student under 19 who is not living with a parent, since 19 is the age of majority in BC.
A legal custodian is different from day-to-day local support. For students in district homestay, SD61, SD62 and SD63 can act as the legal custodian as part of their homestay fees. We generally recommend this route. Hello Victoria Canada can talk with you about local support for students who apply through us, including what is free, what costs extra, and what conditions apply. This kind of support does not replace a legal custodian.
Study permit basics
A minor child usually needs a study permit for K–12 study in Canada if they come without a parent, or if they come with a parent who is only a visitor and does not have a work or study permit. There are exceptions, for example when a parent is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or for programs of six months or less. The study permit fee is $150 per person, and biometrics cost $85 per person ($170 maximum for a family applying together). Always check your own situation with IRCC.
With an accompanying parent or without one
Families usually choose one of two arrangements. Which one is possible depends partly on the child’s age, because each district sets its own minimum age for students without a parent.
| K–12 study with an accompanying parent | Study without an accompanying parent | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the student lives | With a parent in a rented home; the school is usually assigned based on the home address | In a district homestay with a screened host family |
| Typical ages | Required for younger children (see age rules below); open to any grade | Middle or secondary school, depending on the district |
| Legal custodian | Not needed; the parent is responsible | Required under 17 (IRCC); provided by SD61, SD62 and SD63 for district homestay students |
| Parent’s status | Usually a visitor (normally up to 6 months per entry; an extension can be requested from IRCC). Visitors cannot work in Canada | Not applicable |
| Child’s study permit | Usually required if the parent is a visitor | Required for programs longer than 6 months |
| District fees (2026–27, 10 months) | About $17,650–$18,500 in core fees (application, tuition, medical insurance) | About $31,650–$33,600 including homestay |
| Other costs | Rent, car, utilities, family living costs, parent’s private health insurance | Flights, pocket money, school activity fees, homestay during summer if staying |
Age rules for students without a parent: SD61 elementary students (K–5) must live with a parent. In SD63, students under 13 and all middle school students (Grades 6–8) must live with their parents. Sooke (SD62) states that students under 12 must be accompanied by a parent who can live in the district for the length of the program (Sooke Schools International, checked October 1, 2026). Exceptions are not described publicly, so confirm with the district for your child’s grade.
For families arriving with a parent, settlement help such as finding housing or a car is a paid service. Read more in Parent-accompanied study guide Korean-language resource.
SD61 Greater Victoria
Greater Victoria School District is the largest district in the region, covering the City of Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt, View Royal and much of the District of Saanich. Its international program, Victoria International Education (VIE), places students at 27 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and 7 high schools. The district says international students make up 3% or less of enrolment.
- High schools in the program: Esquimalt, Lambrick Park, Mount Douglas, Oak Bay, Reynolds, Spectrum and Victoria High.
- Programs: AP courses at several schools (for example Mount Douglas, Oak Bay and Esquimalt). French immersion at Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Reynolds and Victoria High. Academies include rugby (Esquimalt), baseball (Lambrick Park), soccer (Reynolds) and hockey (Spectrum), based on the district’s March 2026 high school profiles. ELL (English language learning) support is available.
- Grades: K–12. Elementary students must live with a parent. Middle school homestay has an extra $100 per month fee.
- Intakes: September (full year or semester 1) and February (semester 2). The district is accepting applications for winter and fall 2027.
| SD61 fees (CAD) | 2026–27, 10 months | 2026–27, 5 months | 2027–28, 10 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $350 | $350 | $350 |
| Program fee (tuition) | $17,000 | $8,500 | $17,500 |
| Medical insurance | $1,150 | $575 | $1,250 |
| Total without homestay | $18,500 | $9,425 | $19,100 |
| Custodian registration and homestay placement | $650 | $650 | $650 |
| Homestay monitoring | $700 | $450 | $700 |
| Homestay ($1,350/month) | $13,500 | $6,750 | $13,500 |
| August or January homestay fee (early arrival, airport pickup) | $250 | $250 | $250 |
| Total with homestay | $33,600 | $17,525 | $34,200 |
Not included: special diets ($100–$200 per month), middle school homestay supplement ($100 per month), optional document fees, and school supplemental fees (athletics, workbooks, field trips) paid to the school.
More detail: SD61 fee guide Korean-language resource
SD62 Sooke
Sooke School District serves the West Shore communities of Langford, Colwood and Sooke, west of Victoria. It is a growing area with many newer schools and family neighbourhoods. The international program places secondary students at three high schools: Belmont Secondary (Langford), Royal Bay Secondary (Colwood) and Edward Milne Community School (Sooke). Elementary and middle school options are also offered.
- Programs: an academic graduation program (2 to 4 years) and a shorter immersion program (3 months to 1 year) focused on English. Short 3- and 4-month options are offered only at Edward Milne. Our Korean page also lists AP courses, an athletic academy and environmental science options; confirm current course offerings with us.
- Admission: two years of transcripts. The district recommends marks of at least 75% and an English level of about IELTS 4.5 before applying.
- Custodianship: the district can act as custodian at no extra charge; it is part of the program support fee.
- 2026–27 dates: new students arrive from August 29, 2026 and classes start September 8. Second-semester students arrive from January 31, 2027 and classes start February 3, 2027. An optional August preparation program starts August 8. The school year ends June 25, 2027.
| SD62 fees (CAD) | 2026–27, academic year | 2026–27, semester | 2027–28, academic year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $300 | $300 | $325 |
| Tuition | $16,250 | $8,125 | $17,000 |
| Medical insurance | $1,100 | $550 | $1,100 |
| Homestay ($1,260/month in 2026–27; $1,320 in 2027–28) | $12,600 | $6,300 | $13,200 |
| Program support fee (homestay placement and support, airport or ferry transfers, school bus where available, custodianship, supervised activities) | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,050 |
| New student orientation (September; February intake is $235 in 2026–27, $250 in 2027–28) | $400 | $400 | $425 |
| Total with homestay | $31,650 | $16,675 | $33,100 |
Not included: special diets ($125 per month; gluten-free and vegan diets cannot be accommodated), program extensions, extra homestay nights ($60), and optional academy, course, club and field trip fees.
More detail: SD62 fee guide Korean-language resource
SD63 Saanich
Saanich School District covers the Saanich Peninsula north of Victoria, including Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney and Brentwood Bay. The area is quieter and more residential, with farmland and waterfront communities. The Saanich International Student Program (SISP) places homestay students at three secondary schools.
- Claremont Secondary (Grades 9–12): AP, dual credit with post-secondary institutions, and academies in lacrosse, golf, rowing and fine arts.
- Parkland Secondary (Grades 9–12): the IB Diploma Program in Grades 11–12. The district describes it as the only English-language public school on southern Vancouver Island offering the IB Diploma. The school also offers a marine program and academies in ice hockey, judo and sailing.
- Stelly’s Secondary (Grades 9–12): French immersion, Global Perspectives, digital media and graphic design, and a climbing academy.
- Middle schools (Bayside, North Saanich, Royal Oak): international students must live with their parents. Students under 13 must live with at least one parent.
- Intakes open for application: February 1, 2027; September 1, 2027; February 1, 2028. Program lengths are a full year (September–June), a semester, or 4 months.
| SD63 fees (CAD) | 2026–27, full year | 2026–27, semester | 2027–28, full year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application/processing fee | $300 | $300 | $300 |
| School fee (tuition) | $16,750 | $8,375 | $17,250 |
| Medical insurance | $1,100 | $550 | $1,100 |
| Homestay ($1,350/month) | $13,500 | $6,750 | $13,500 |
| Homestay placement and monitoring | $750 | $750 | $800 |
| New student orientation (September) | $150 | $150 | $250 |
| Total with homestay | $32,550 | $16,875 | $33,200 |
Included: tuition, homestay, placement and monitoring, medical insurance, ELL classes, monthly luncheons, airport pickup and drop-off, and custodianship for SISP homestay students. Not included: special diets ($150–$200 per month), homestay move requests ($500), extensions ($250) and document validation.
More detail: SD63 fee guide Korean-language resource
Fee comparison: Greater Victoria districts
| District | Tuition 2026–27 | Without homestay 2026–27 | With homestay 2026–27 | With homestay 2027–28 | Custodian for homestay students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SD61 Greater Victoria | $17,000 | $18,500 | $33,600 | $34,200 | Included (registration fee) |
| SD62 Sooke | $16,250 | $17,650* | $31,650 | $33,100 | Included (program support fee) |
| SD63 Saanich | $16,750 | $18,150* | $32,550 | $33,200 | Included (SISP homestay only) |
All figures are CAD for a 10-month school year. *SD61 publishes its own “without homestay” total. For SD62 and SD63 the figure is our sum of the application fee, tuition and medical insurance only. Orientation or support fees may also apply to students living with a parent, so confirm with the district.
To estimate your full budget, including flights and living costs, see Costs or the study cost calculator.
Other districts we can help you explore
Some families also look at districts beyond Greater Victoria.
SD43 Coquitlam (Metro Vancouver)
Coquitlam is a large suburban district east of Vancouver. For 2026–27 and 2027–28, the full-year program fee is $18,500 plus a $300 application fee. The district says medical insurance is covered in the program fee. Half-year fees are $9,250 for secondary and $11,100 for elementary and middle school. Homestay is not included: families choose from the district’s list of approved homestay providers and confirm prices with them. The district does not act as custodian. Elementary students must live with at least one parent.
SD43 fee guide Korean-language resource
SD68 Nanaimo-Ladysmith (central Vancouver Island)
The district covers Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Lantzville, Cedar and Gabriola Island, about two hours’ drive north of Victoria. Its International Student Education program runs its own homestay program. Programs mentioned on our Korean page include French immersion and sports academies at Nanaimo District Secondary, AP and a performing arts academy at Dover Bay, and outdoor education in Ladysmith. Tuition is not published on the district’s public website, so check current figures with the district. The district states that host families are paid $1,200–$1,400 per month in 2026–27. This is the host payment, not the full amount a family pays.
SD68 Nanaimo guide Korean-language resource
SD79 Cowichan Valley
The district covers Duncan, Mill Bay, Cobble Hill, Chemainus, Lake Cowichan and nearby communities, about an hour north of Victoria. It is a small-town, outdoor setting. The district runs its own homestay program and provides custodianship for international students. Medical insurance is included in its program fees. Our Korean page lists academies such as hockey, equestrian, outdoor adventure, soccer and musical theatre. Tuition is not published on the district’s public website, so check current figures with the district.
SD79 Cowichan Valley guide Korean-language resource
Frequently asked questions
Can my child live in a homestay at elementary school age?
Generally, no. In Greater Victoria, SD61 requires elementary students to live with a parent, and SD63 requires students under 13 and middle school students to live with their parents. For younger children, K–12 study with an accompanying parent is the usual route.
Can we choose a specific school?
You can request schools and programs, and districts try to accommodate requests. Placement depends on space and the district’s decision. For a family living with a parent, the school is usually based on your home address. Neither the district nor an agent can guarantee a specific school.
Who do we pay tuition to?
Tuition and homestay fees are paid directly to the school district according to its letter of offer and payment instructions.