Victoria’s Sooke School District (No. 62) serves the Greater Victoria Westshore communities of Colwood, Langford, the Highlands and Bear Mountain as well as the seaside community of Sooke. The district is one of the fastest growing school districts in the province.
Sooke Schools offer a comprehensive curriculum which includes academic and elective courses. Math, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Environmental Studies, English Literature, Social Studies, History, Geography, and a choice of foreign languages including French, Spanish, and Japanese are standard academic courses. Elective courses include courses in Business Education (Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Marketing), Computer Science, Fine Arts (Drama, Musical Theatre, Visual Art, Band), and Applied Skills (Food Studies, Technical Education, Cosmetology). A variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available.
Academy Programs also offer specialized training in Hockey, Soccer, Dance, Rugby, Baseball, and Equine Studies (Horseback Riding). A French Immersion stream of courses is available for students with advanced French language skills.
Program Established: 1989
Programs Offered: Full Year, 1 Semester, Quarter (limited availability; February intake only)
Specialized Programs: French Immersion, Advanced Placement and Dual Credit, Athletic Academies (Soccer, Dance, Ice Hockey, Golf, Baseball, Lacrosse, Equine/Riding), Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Outdoor Education, Sustainability.
Language(s) of Study: English, French
Total number of schools: 26
High schools for international students: 3
Total Students: 12,000
Total International Students: 250
International Students Accepted for Grades: 7-12 in Homestay Program
Nearest Airport: Victoria International Airport
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia. It is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island in one of Canada’s mildest climates, with the lowest rainfall and the most sunshine of any on Canada’s West Coast. The area is famous for its ocean views and year-round recreational opportunities. Home to two excellent universities and two colleges, the city was recently named Canada’s “Smartest City” in recognition of its residents’ commitment to learning, cultural events and community involvement. With one of Canada’s highest per capita incomes and a quality of life that, by United Nations measure, is one of the finest on earth, the Greater Victoria area offers remarkable opportunities for people to live and to learn.
Average daytime temperatures range from 22 C° / 71° F in July to 7° C / 45° F in December. Our weather, along with the fact that Victoria offers year-round golf, whale watching, fishing, horseback riding, cycling, diving, surfing, hiking, wildlife viewing, kayaking, canoeing, and much more, makes the “Garden City” an ideal destination any time of the year.
The populace of the Greater Victoria region are primarily of European ancestry. Fewer then 1% of Sooke Schools students require ESL students in its schools, offering a complete immersion experience for International Students seeking a true English language immersion experience.
Sooke Schools offers its own supervised Homestay Program, matching and placing students with families with interests and activity levels that are similar to those of the student. Families are carefully selected and interviewed. A home inspection is completed before a family is approved. A criminal record check must be completed and reference letters submitted. Host families new to the program must attend an orientation training session prior to the student’s arrival. Host families are encouraged to include the student in all family activities. Approved travel outside the community with the family enriches the student’s experience. The support and guidance offered by our host families encourages students to adjust quickly to their new community. Program and district staff assist host families in the support of the student’s academic, social and language learning development. Program staff maintain regular communication with the student, families and overseas consultants. Program staff and affiliates provide support in the student’s native language, when needed, in German, French, Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish.
Sooke Schools offer a variety of clubs, sports, and student leadership opportunities. Students may also participate in school sports in Volleyball, Basketball, Rugby, Football, Soccer, Golf, Cross Country Running, Badminton, Rowing, Horseback Riding and Track and Field. Students may compete to join sports teams. In addition, International Students are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of International program activities which may include: skiing or snowboarding at Whistler Mountain and Mt. Washington, overnight and day trips to Vancouver and Seattle, a “west coast” adventure trip to Tofino, and local activities such as curling, hiking, laser tag, museum visits, and attendance at a professional hockey and professional lacrosse games.
Entrance Dates: September & February
Application Deadlines: Ongoing (March 31 preferred for September intake; October 15 preferred for February intake)
Application Fee: $250
Full Year Tuition Fee: $14,250
1 Semester Tuition Fee: $7,125
Homestay Monthly Fee: $1,100
Program Fee: $1,850 (includes school bus transportation (when required), homestay placement/support, arrival/departure transportation to and from Victoria airport or Swartz Bay ferry terminal, complimentary, custodianship, access to our supervised activities program, and medical coverage)
New Student Orientation: $325 (September intake) and $185 (February intake)
All funds are in Canadian dollars
Prices are subject to change, please confirm fees during the application process.
General Inquiries Email: sookeschools@sd62.bc.ca
Website: sookeschoolsvictoria.com/
Mailing Address: 200-814 Goldstream Rd.
City: Victoria
Province: British Columbia
Postal Code: V9B 2X7
Phone: 250-474-9818
Fax: 250-474-9825
Please complete the form below to request more information
