Three ways private schools help international students thrive

Private schools in Canada are renowned for the world-class education and top-notch curricula they deliver—so much so that parents from all over the world are choosing to send their kids here to study. “Most of our international students are referred to us by current and former students and their families,” says Steve Taylor, marketing manager at Toronto’s WillowWood School. “Our reputation as a kind, welcoming and caring school helps parents feel confident that their children will be well-cared-for.”

International students studying in Canada face unique challenges as they adapt to a whole new country and culture, which can be a stressful and sometimes intimidating experience, especially when living far from their families and friends.

To help international students adjust and excel, Canadian private schools offer a network of support systems.

School support

Often, private schools in Canada will have teachers, guidance counsellors, boarding advisors and/or resident supervisors who are all responsible for overseeing international students and ensuring their academic, emotional, social and personal needs are met. “Our international students are a part of the school family,” says WillowWood’s principal, Andy Hall. “From the moment an international student arrives, they’re ‘adopted’ by the ESL student coordinator, who becomes their ‘Canadian mom.’” Hall says the coordinator may assist students with everything from organizing courses and purchasing uniforms to attending appointments, visiting grocery stores and navigating public transit. “Sometimes a hug is all that’s needed!” he adds.

Classroom support

Private schools in Canada have immense flexibility with their curricula, allowing them to offer specialized modalities to assist international students. Typically, international students already need to be proficient in written and spoken English and/or French in order to enroll, scoring at or above a school’s minimum requirement for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). However, some private schools in Canada offer ESL (English as a second language) or ELL (English language learning) programs specially tailored to international students who have little to no proficiency in English. Other Canadian private schools provide one-on-one instruction, tutoring and customized education plans that match an international student’s abilities or goals.

Peer support

Perhaps some of the most valuable resources available for international students are their fellow classmates. “Staff work hard to connect international students to domestic students through a wide range of sports, clubs and other extracurricular activities,” Hall says. Some private schools in Canada assign peer mentors or “buddies,” while other schools pair up international students in room assignments to help foster friendships. As a bonus, the small class sizes found at private schools in Canada also make it much easier for international students to make friends—and forge mutually beneficial relationships. “Our international students bring a truly unique perspective to the school. New and interesting foods, music, TV shows, fashion and outlooks help to break down barriers,” says Hall. “New perspectives drive discussions, increase global awareness and allow all students to broaden their own outlooks.”