Academic High School Program

 

 

 

Thank you for your interest in the Academic High School Program. Studying and living in the Comox Valley will be a rewarding and enriching experience. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

Instructions
Please carefully read all of the instructions in the Academic High School Program Application Kit before filling out the attached Application Form. Submit the completed Application Form along with the Application Fee to our Program Office. Save this page for personal records.

Program Fees
The current program fees are:

(All fees in Canadian Dollars)

 

     Application Fee

$2001

     Homestay Placement Fee

$2001

     School Fee

$12,000 per year2

     Homestay Fee

$800 per month3

 

     Medical Insurance

$800 per year4

 

Fees are subject to change.

 

1 Indicates nonrefundable amount.
2 See below for refund policy details.
3 Paid directly to homestay at the beginning of each month.

4

To ensure adequate protection for our students, medical insurance coverage will commence five days prior to the student's arrival date and remain in effect five days after the anticipated date of departure. Medical insurance fees for the long-term program are collected annually and paid on behalf of the student, to provide protection during the 10-month school period, as well as any portion of July and August when the student is in the Comox Valley. This arrangement ensures proper insurance coverage for the student. (Temporary cancellation and reinstatement of medical insurance, during absences from Canada, is subject to an administration fee.)

 

 

 

Terms & Conditions

Minimum Age – Elementary School Children are accepted under the parents or legal guardian's responsibility up to and including Grade 5. Homestay is available for Students from Grade 6 – 12.

Fees Include – Application Fee, Homestay Placement Fee, Tuition, Homestay Fee, and Medical Insurance.

Fees Do Not Include – Travel to and from the Comox Valley, Bank charges, Extra Curricular activities.

Enrolment and Payment - Applications should be sent to the International Student Program (ISP) office at least 1 month before the beginning of the semester (together with the required $2,500 non-refundable deposit fee). In the exceptional cases of last-minute enrolment it is necessary to pay the total fees in full (sending us by fax/email a copy of the bank transfer) or sending us credit card details in writing, authorizing us to charge the total fee immediately (please refer to our refund policy).

Balance - The balance must be paid at least 15 days in advance of the semester’s starting date. If the student does pay the balance of the course as agreed to in the cancellation policy, we retain the agreed right to charge to customers the full course amount

Methods of Payment – In order that you may be successfully admitted into the program/course, you will have to produce evidence of payment. Payment can be made by: Bank transfer, Cheque or Bank Draft, or Credit card.

To ensure your payment information is secure we use Moneris™. It processes your credit card information securely using the latest available encryption technology.

Homestay Changes- Our Homestay Supervisor does her utmost to ensure that the homestay is the best accommodation for each student, through careful screening . Please explain any specific requirements and expectations before we book you with a family, as translocation once here will only be done if the student has a serious consideration and changing families is absolutely necessary.

Damage: If any damage is incurred to the property of the school or to third parties contracted by the school, the cost of these damages must be settled immediately at the school by those responsible.

Student Visa – Students that stay less than 6 months do not require a visa to enter Canada. You are responsible for obtaining visas and for any visa-related expenses.

Public Holidays - No lessons will take place on public holidays as indicated on the School Calendar.
Insurance - Medical insurance is mandatory.
The program shown in our web-site/brochure are only indicative, the management reserves the right to alter dates, times and contents of courses at any time. On your arrival to the Comox Valley we will give you your schedule.



Payment of Fees

Application fees must be paid before consideration will be given to student application.

For students who have been accepted, School Fees and the Homestay Placement and Deposit Fees (if applicable) must be paid in order to receive the Letter of Acceptance Guarantee required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Fees may be paid by:

1) Cheque or Bank Draft
Bank draft or certified cheque providing the issuing bank is associated with a Canadian bank. Use micro-encoded cheque or bank draft, payable to:

Comox Valley International Student Program

Royal Bank of Canada  #003

1015 Ryan Road

Courtenay, BC    Canada    V9N 3R6



2) Electronic Bank Transfer
Comox Valley International Student Program

Royal Bank of Canada  #003

Transit #01280

Bank Account #102-292-0

1015 Ryan Road

Courtenay, BC    Canada    V9N 3R6

SWIFT CODE: ROYCCAT2

3) Visa or MasterCard
Provide account number, card expiry date, amount and written authorization to charge fees to this account. Must arrange prior approval with account holder’s bank. Payments may also be made online. This service is for the $200.00 application fee – any other fees are subject to a 3% service charge.

 

 

 

 

 

Refund Policy

Students are selected for the International School Programs with the expectation that they are committed to high achievement through serious study. We make a commitment to our students to assist them in achieving success. While we look forward to a good relationship with all our students, in some cases circumstances change and the following refund policy will apply.

  • Students who withdraw after the June 30th payment deadline, and prior to school startup, will receive a 45% refund of the tuition fee and 100% refund of any prepaid host family monthly fees
  • The above also applies to students who apply for the year already in progress, have a different start date than September 1st, and who withdraw in the two months prior to their specific start date
  • Students leaving the program for whatever reason after their school start date will forfeit the entire program fee.
  • Students who are asked to withdraw due to a violation of school or program rules will receive no refund.


Travel Arrangements


Travel to the Comox Valley
Students should make travel arrangements as soon as possible. When arrangements are confirmed, students should contact their homestay family to inform them of the arrival date, time and flight number. In most cases, the homestay family will meet the student upon arrival and begin the homestay process. When flights are confirmed, fax travel information to the Program Office at +1 250 897 1496.

It is important that students book a flight through to the Comox International Airport. Do not end the flight in Vancouver unless a visit to the Vancouver region is part of the travel plan. Where students are visiting Vancouver first, arrangements for travel to the Comox Valley should be made and provided to the home-stay family or Program Office.

Travel from the Comox Valley
Students may not leave the Comox Valley without permission from the Program Office. This rule is in place for student safety.

Students who are planning trips home during holidays must book flights as early as possible. Students are expected to schedule holiday travel during school vacation periods. Students should not miss classes. The Program Office can assist with suggestions about dependable travel companies.

Checklist for Application to the International School Programs

Step One: Applying and Letter of Acknowledgement

Submit all of the following:

  • A completed Application Form
  • A recent photograph
  • Final report cards for the last two years
  • CAD$200 Application Fee
  • Photocopy of first page of passport

Make all cheques and bank drafts payable to International School Programs.
Application Forms cannot be processed without all of the above items.

  • Make a photocopy of the Application Form for personal records.

A Letter of Acknowledgement will be sent to all applicants regarding application status.

Step Two: Letter of Acceptance Guarantee

Upon receipt of a Letter of Acknowledgement, please do the following:

  • Pay all remaining applicable program fees
  • Once all the above fees have been paid, an official Letter of Acceptance Guarantee will be issued.


Step Three: Visa Application

Upon receipt of the official Letter of Acceptance Guarantee, please do the following:

  • Immediately contact the nearest Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) office via telephone, fax, email or mail and request a Visa Application Form for a Study Permit. Be sure to apply as early as possible as the visa process can take over eight weeks.
  • Complete the form and include the Letter of Acceptance Guarantee with your application package. Wait to receive a reply from the CIC.
  • Remember to make sure you have an updated passport.

Please note: The International School Programs has no influence over the visa application process. Please direct all enquiries regarding your visa status to your local CIC office.

 

Academic Information

Required Courses
In order to graduate from a British Columbia high school, students are required to take the following courses:

  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • English
  • Math
  • Social Studies
  • Science
  • Physical Education (Grades 8-10 only)
  • Applied Skills/Business Education/Fine Arts
  • Planning
  • Portfolio Assessment

Electives
Students are also required to take elective courses that match their personal needs and interests. Elective courses fall within three (3) categories: Applied Skills, Business Education, and Fine Arts.