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HRCE welcomes students from other countries who wish to attend school in Nova Scotia. We offer an excellent academic environment, as well as extra-curricular activities at all levels. 

Please note: International students who have completed their secondary education can apply to attend school in HRCE as a Category II – Fee-paying & Nova Scotia International Student Program (NSISP) student.

All international students must have proof of current health insurance issued by a Canadian provider before the child will be permitted to attend school.  

Students interested in our homestay program can visit the Nova Scotia International Student Program website or learn more below. 

Category I – Non Fee-Paying Students

A) Children of a parent(s) who hold either a valid Work Permit or Study Permit issued by the Government of Canada, for the Province of Nova Scotia.

Tuition is not charged for these students for the duration and timeframe of the parent(s) Work or Study Permit. 

B) Children of a parent(s) in the following categories can register to attend school: 

• Permanent Resident or Landed Immigrant Status 
• Refugee 
• Convention Refugee 

When registering, families will be required to provide documentation of their status in electronic form (image, pdf or Word document).

Tuition is not charged for Category I students.

How to apply 

Families initiate the registration process online by navigating to the HRCE Registration page and completing the online form located at the bottom of the page.

When registering, families will be required to provide the following documentation in electronic form (image, pdf or Word document):

• Proof of Identity/Age (one of: birth certificate, passport, immigration papers, or legal adoption papers)
• Proof of home address (a recently dated official government or utility document with your current address that includes your name and date, such as water bill, power bill, internet bill, home fuel bill, a tax receipt, property assessment, a residential lease agreement or a mortgage contract)
• Educational records and/or documents
• Proof of valid medical insurance along with expiry date at the time of registration
• Copy of the parent's Work or Study Permit, including proof of relationship with the child
• If the parent is divorced, a copy of the custodial papers must be provided. 

Assistance with navigating the registration process is available through the Newcomer Welcome Centre or Family Navigators.

If a Letter of Acceptance is requested from HRCE, there is a $50 processing fee for non fee-paying students. 

Category II – Fee-Paying & NSISP Students

International students not in Category I can apply and pay a tuition to attend. This includes students who come to live with a relative/friend.

A) Fee-paying students must live with a legal custodian who is a Canadian citizen or has Permanent Resident status. The exception would be if student is living with a parent while attending school. 

All international students must have proof of current health insurance issued before the child will be permitted to attend school.  

The cost is $10,000 CDN per school year.

Families wishing to apply under Category II must contact International Services to initiate the process:

• Phone: +1 (902) 464-2000 ext. 2548 
• E-mail: international@hrce.ca 

Please note: For families applying under Category II status, there are schools within HRCE that are closed due to enrollment pressures. See the list of schools in the drop-down menu below.

It is recommended you contact International Services before committing to a residential area. Transportation costs related to attending a school outside the catchment area will be at the expense of the student.

Assistance with navigating the registration process for Fee-paying & NSISP students is available through International Services:  

• Phone: +1 (902) 464-2000 ext. 2548 
• E-mail: international@hrce.ca 

For those interested in the provincial Nova Scotia International Student Program, which includes living with a homestay family, application can be made through partner agencies. For more information visit the NSISP website.