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Common Questions

Process, Fees, and Deadlines

What is the cost to study in Calgary?

All costs to study can be found at this link | Cost of Study

Are there extra fees charged for studying in Calgary?

It is the student's responsibility to meet all of the other costs associated with attending a Calgary Board of Education school (for example, school books and supplies, special course materials, resource fees, and activities). More info: CBE Fees & Waivers.

What are your academic requirements?

All student applicants must be in good standing at their current school. Applicants must also be able to show history of good attendance and work habits.

Students applying for Grade 12 and wanting to graduate with an Alberta High School Diploma must be able to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency in all areas (reading, writing, speaking, listening) at the time of application. Contact our office for accepted tests and required marks. Please note that it may take more than one year of study to complete the requirements to graduate with an Alberta High School Diploma. Students may need to eventually leave the high school and finish their studies through an adult program at the post-secondary level.

Is there an age limit to study at the CBE?

Can my child start school any time during the school year?

Elementary (Grades K-6) and junior high programs (Grades 7-9) are 10 months in duration from September to June. Applications for grades K-9 will be accepted for a September start only.

High School programs (Grades 10-12) are based on a school year of two semesters/terms. The first semester begins in September and the second semester begins in February. September intake applications will be considered for either a full year of studies from September to June or one semester from September to January.  February intake applications will be considered for one semester only from February to June.

Is there an application deadline?

• September intake application dates:  First Monday in November to last Friday in April
• February intake application dates:  First Monday in May to last Friday in September

Late applications will be accepted space permitting. However, if a student requires homestay placement, early applications are encouraged.

How long does it take to get the letter of acceptance?

In most cases, applications take two weeks to process from the time of receiving a fully completed application package.

What length of time is the letter of acceptance issued for?

Acceptance to our schools is for a maximum of one year only. The CBE will make every effort to offer continued registration in subsequent years if requested but as space is limited, we cannot guarantee future availability.

School and Grade Placement

How can I choose a school? What is the best school?

Global Learning has designated a number of schools that are the best for international students. Each of these high schools has an international coordinator to help international students with their academic and social programs. Check our website for a current listing of these schools. Please note that not all schools are able to receive international students (e.g., certain schools are full). At the Calgary Board of Education, all schools have the same curriculum, the same teaching standards and are comprehensive schools. This means that most programs are offered at all schools. You can be assured that wherever you go to school you will receive a great education.

How will a school be chosen for my child?

Schools are chosen based on the Calgary address, space and program availability. You may request a specific school and we will make every attempt to accommodate your request. However, Global Learning reserves the right to make the final placement decision. Please note that not all Calgary schools can accept international students.  Also note that space can change over time so renewal is subject to a yearly review.

Will the CBE accept my high school courses from my local school?

The CBE will evaluate your transcripts and, if the courses you completed are equivalent to high school courses here, you will be granted credit for those that are required for an Alberta high school diploma.

What grade will I be placed in?

Students are placed age appropriately into a grade and then upon further assessment of the student, some course/grade adjustments may be made as necessary.

How do I know which courses to take?

A course advisor at your new school will help you to plan your program based on your English level, your interests and your goals. We would look at the courses you finished in high school in your country and the marks you received. If the grades you completed are equivalent to high school courses here, you would be given a test to see if you could be placed in the next level. Our courses have prerequisites so one level must be finished before a student can enter the next level. 10 is level 1, 20 is level 2 and 30 is level 3. You need to take English 10, then 20 and then 30.

I want to take the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Will I be accepted?

New international students are not eligible for the IB program. However, once you have been at school in Calgary for a year or more, you may be eligible to apply providing you meet the high academic standards required for the program.

Homestay and Living Arrangements

Am I required to live in Calgary while my child studies?

If your child is in elementary school (aged 12 and under), he/she must have a parent living in Calgary for the entire duration of his/her studies or live with someone who has been verified to be an immediate family member. Please contact us for further details. Please note: if you are living in Calgary with your child while he/she studies, your child is not required to have a custodian.

Can Global Learning arrange homestay accommodations for my child?

Global Learning is partnered with Canada Homestay Network who arranges for homestay accommodations if your child is between 15-18 years of age. For details and application information visit the Canada Homestay Network website.

Transportation

High School (Grades 10-12)

High school students at the Calgary Board of Education take public transportation to school (provided by Calgary Transit). As high school availability for international students is limited, the Calgary address provided on the application as well as the travel requirements will be taken into consideration when reviewing a student application for admission. Please note that the maximum travel time that we will consider for high school students is 45 minutes each way on public transit. Should it be determined that we are unable to offer an appropriate school placement based on the Calgary address and school availability, Global Learning reserves the right to make the final acceptance decision.

Elementary and Junior High (Grades Kindergarten to 9)

For information about school bus service, please visit the Busing and Transportation website. Parents/custodians are responsible for arranging transportation should school bus service not be available.

Custodian

What responsibilities does a custodian have?

The custodian acts as the parent to the child and takes on the same responsibilities that the parent would have. Please see our custodianship guidelines.

Who can I choose as a custodian for my child?

A custodian should be at least 25 years of age and must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Please use caution in choosing a custodian. The custodian should be someone who has the best interests of your child in mind.

If I will be living in Calgary with my child while he/she studies, do I still need to arrange custodianship?

No. If you are living in Calgary with your child, no other custodian arrangements need to be made.

Study Permits

How do I apply for a study permit for my child?

Please visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website for Study Permit application information for your country.

What if the student cannot get the study permit before school starts?

If the student is unable to get a Study Permit before school starts, please contact Global Learning to discuss further options. It may be possible for the student to begin classes late or it may be necessary for the student to delay their arrival until the next available intake. However, every effort will be made to accommodate the student in an educational program as soon as possible.

I am a parent who will be coming to Canada to study and my children will be accompanying me.  Will I need to pay international student tuition for my children?

This will depend on the program of studies you are taking.  Please contact the Welcome Centre at welcome@cbe.ab.ca with your institution’s letter of acceptance. They will then verify if you will be required to pay tuition for your children.

Arriving in Canada

What are the intake guidelines for students in Kindergarten to Grade 9 (elementary and junior high)?

Please contact Global Learning by email at internationalstudents@cbe.ab.ca to arrange an assessment appointment as soon as the student’s arrival date and address are both confirmed (do not wait until the student arrives in Calgary to make this appointment).

Please provide the following information in the e-mail:

• Student’s Legal Name
• Date of Birth
• Name of School
• Home Language
• Custodian’s Contact Information
• Educational Background

Please bring the student’s Study Permit to the appointment at the CBE Welcome Centre office, located at the CBE Education Centre, 1221 – 8 Street SW. A parent or custodian must accompany the student for the duration (2-3 hours) of the appointment.

What are the intake guidelines for students in high schools (grades 10-12)?

Refer to the paragraph in the letter of acceptance entitled International Student Orientation or visit the home page of our website at www.cbeinternational.ca and look for the Orientation link which provides orientation session details along with the school coordinator’s name and contact information.

High School Graduation Diploma

What are the requirements for a high school diploma?

Please visit Your Introduction to High School: Get Ready, Get Set, Go For It! for information on obtaining a high school diploma including required courses.

How long will it take me to complete a high school diploma?

This depends on several things like your level of English upon arrival, your prior courses of study, when you arrived, and what your graduation expectations are. However, in most cases, students who require English Language Learning programming (ELL) will take longer to complete the requirements than a student who was born in Canada. Many students take four years to complete high school with a diploma.

Which universities will accept my Alberta high school diploma? What do I require to enter university?

Alberta high school diplomas are recognized around the world. Students from the CBE can apply to any university or college and will be accepted based upon the marks of certain required courses. Visit the website for the post-secondary institute you are interested in for entrance requirements.