The Greater Essex County District School Board invites students from around the world to experience life and learning in vibrant Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
Located on the Canada-US border at the most southern tip of Canada in the heart of the Great Lakes region, the GECDSB is the largest K-12 public school district in the region. We have International Students from 20 countries at 13 secondary schools and 55 elementary schools in 9 urban, suburban and rural municipalities.
Students are welcome to study in our short-term and long-term programs, ranging from 4 weeks to a multi-year pathway leading to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. We work with our trusted partners at MLI Homestay to provide students with safe, caring host families that enrich their study-abroad experience.
International Students are accepted at all levels of English language proficiency. We accommodate students in four English as a Second Language programs in small, sheltered classes featuring intensive English language instruction. We offer the IB Diploma Programme and Primary Years Programme, a dedicated Centre for Creative Arts, and many technical programs that complement the local engineering, automotive and manufacturing sectors.
Windsor-Essex is a beautiful, diverse and friendly region with a long history of welcoming newcomers from around the world to our classrooms. We look forward to welcoming your students in Windsor-Essex!
Program Established: 2014
Programs Offered: Full Year, 1 Semester, Summer Camp, Teacher Training
Specialized Programs: French Immersion, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, Fine Arts
Language(s) of Study: English
Total number of schools: 70
High schools for international students: 13
Total Students: 36,000
Total International Students: 175
International Students Accepted for Grades: 9-12
Nearest Airport: Windsor International Airport (YQG)
Windsor-Essex is the most southern community in Canada. It is located on the shores of Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River, directly across from Detroit, Michigan. Our shorelines boast sunny beaches, a variety of trails for walking, cycling and horseback riding, and extensive parkland and green spaces. Windsor is located 370 km southwest of Toronto.
Windsor is a medium-sized Canadian city with all the amenities of a large urban centre. The region of Essex County includes numerous large suburban neighborhoods, thriving small towns and is home to many of the safest communities in Canada. Windsor boasts a mild climate, having among the fewest days of cold weather in Canada and among the sunniest days where the sun shines 2,261 hours each year.
As a border city, residents enjoy quick and easy access to Detroit, Michigan and its world-class cultural attractions, academic institutions, dining, shopping, entertainment, recreation opportunities and professional sports teams.
MLI Homestay is the GECDSB’s trusted homestay provider. For over 20 years, MLI has been providing high-quality homestay experiences in communities across Canada. Their warm and welcoming host families offer an authentic Canadian cultural experience that allows students to thrive and achieve their academic goals. Four local MLI staff members reside in Windsor-Essex to provide support to International Students and host families including monitoring, reporting and social activities.
MLI Homestay services include:
Varsity Sports
Badminton, Baseball/Slo-Pitch, Basketball, Cross Country, Curling, Football, Golf, Hockey, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball, Wrestling
Clubs, groups, committees
Animation Club, Announcements Crew, Art Club, Assemblies Committee, Band, Best Buddies, Chess Club, Choir, Cross-Fit Club, Dance Team, Debate Team, DECA Business Club, Drama Club, EcoSchools Team, Feminist Club, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), Guitar Club, House League Sports, International Students Club, Jack.org mental wellness group, Knitting club, Peer Mentors, Peet tutors, Photography Club, School Plays and Musicals, Prom/Semi-Formal Committees, Radio Club, Robotics Club, School Newspaper, Social Justice Club, Student Council, Ukulele Club, Yearbook Committee, Youth Ambassadors Club
Activities & Events
Coffee Houses, Food Drives, Fundraisers, Grade 8 Day, Grade 9 Orientation Day, Job Fairs, Leadership Camps, Math Contests, MindForce, Multicultural Nights
Entrance Dates: September & February
Application Deadlines: June 1 & November 15
Application Fee: $300
Full Year Tuition Fee: Elementary $13,500 Secondary $14,500
1 Semester Tuition Fee: Secondary only $7,250
Homestay and Custodianship Monthly Fee: $1,250
One time Homestay Placement Fee: $550
Annual Health Insurance: $525
All funds are in Canadian dollars
Prices are subject to change, please confirm fees during the application process.
General Inquiries Email: international@publicboard.ca
Website: publicboard.ca/en/programs-and-learning/international-students.aspx
Mailing Address: 451 Park Street W
City: Windsor
Province: Ontario
Postal Code: N9A 6K1
Phone: 519-255-3200 x 10371
Toll-free Phone: 1-888-779-7735
Please complete the form below to request more information
