International Students

International Students

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International students carving pumpkins

Please note: Until further notice, HRCE is not accepting fee paying applications (Category II).  

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. 

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 

Children of a parent(s) who hold a valid Work 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 Permit. 

Children of a parent(s) who are in Canada on a valid 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) Study Permit. 

How to apply 

Visit your neighbourhood school to register. 

Parents/guardians must present the child's proof of age, legal name (as listed on birth certificate, passport, immigration papers, legal name change certificate or adoption documents), proof of residency (such as a current utility bill), educational records and/or documents, proof of valid medical insurance along with expiry date at the time of registration. 

In addition, a copy of the parent's Work Permit or the parent's Study Permit, including proof of relationship with the child will be confirmed by the attending school. If the parent is divorced, a copy of the custodial papers must be provided. 

There is a $50 processing fee for any non-tuition paying students who require a Letter of Acceptance from HRCE. 

Category II 

Until further notice, HRCE is not accepting fee paying applications.  

Students who do not have Canadian citizenship and who come to live with a relative/friend to attend school in the HRCE must pay tuition of $9,500 CDN per school year. International students, who wish to attend school while living with a relative in Canada must have a legal guardian who is a Canadian citizen. The exception would be the student who is living with a parent while attending school. 

It is important to note that should you apply under Category II status, HRCE may not be able to guarantee enrollment within certain school catchment areas due to enrollment pressures. It is recommended you contact one of our HRCE representatives before committing to a residential area. Transportation costs related to attending a school outside the catchment area will be at the expense of the international student.  

DO NOT proceed to a school prior to contacting International Services. 

Students currently enrolled as Fee Paying Students (in possession of a Letter of Acceptance) please note list of schools below, closed to Fee Paying Students:

Charles P. Allen High Family of Schools 

  • Basinview Drive Community School 
  • Bedford South School 
  • Hammonds Plains Consolidated Elementary 
  • Kingswood Elementary 
  • Madeline Symonds Middle School 
  • Rocky Lake Junior High 
  • Rocky Lake Elementary 
  • Sunnyside Elementary (Eaglewood Drive) 
  • Sunnyside Elementary (Fort Sackville) 
  • West Bedford High School 
  • West Bedford School 

Citadel High Family of Schools 

  • Citadel High 
  • Gorsebrook Junior High 
  • Halifax Central Junior High 
  • Highland Park Junior High 
  • Inglis Street Elementary 
  • Joseph Howe Elementary 
  • LeMarchant-St. Thomas Elementary 
  • Oxford School 
  • Sir Charles Tupper Elementary 
  • Springvale Elementary 
  • St. Agnes Junior High 
  • St. Catherine's Elementary 
  • St. Joseph's-Alexander McKay Elementary 
  • St. Stephen's Elementary 
  • Westmount Elementary 

Halifax West High Family of Schools 

  • Atlantic Memorial - Terence Bay Elementary (Atlantic Memorial) 
  • Brookside Junior High 
  • Burton Ettinger Elementary 
  • Clayton Park Junior High 
  • Duc d’Anville Elementary 
  • Fairview Heights Elementary (Annex Building) 
  • Fairview Heights Elementary (Main Building) 
  • Fairview Junior High 
  • Grosvenor-Wentworth Park Elementary 
  • Halifax West High 
  • Park West School 
  • Prospect Road Elementary 
  • Rockingham Elementary 

Millwood High Family of Schools 

  • Harry R. Hamilton Elementary 
  • Millwood Elementary 
  • Millwood High 
  • Sackville Heights Elementary 
  • Sackville Heights Junior High 

Other Schools 

  • Ash Lee Jefferson Elementary 
  • John W. MacLeod-Fleming Tower Elementary 
  • Portland Estates Elementary 
  • Waverley Memorial Elementary 

Category III 

The following categories do not need to go through this office but you will be asked for papers as you enroll your child in school. No tuition will be applied. 

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

Send application documents to:

Halifax Regional Centre for Education, Attention: International Services 
33 Spectacle Lake Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada 
B3B 1X7 

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

Wire transfer and EFT information
(Effective September 20, 2016) 

Please note: Any intermediary or beneficiary charges are to be paid by the remitter. 

Receiving Bank Information 
CIBC, Main Office 
1809 Barrington Street, 15th Floor 
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
B3J 3A3 
Telephone: (888) 947-6643 

Account Information 
Halifax Regional Centre for Education 
Institution: 010 
Transit: 00003 
Account: 8217319 
SWIFT Code: CIBCCATT 
CC Code: 001000003 

To ensure that your payment is credited to your account please notify both of the following, once payment has been made by contacting international@hrce.ca or (902) 464-2000. ext. 2548. 

It is very important the NAME OF THE STUDENT also be included on any bank transactions along with an email notification to international@hrce.ca

The Nova Scotia International Student Program has launched Bring Home the World, a campaign to bring more awareness about opportunities to host students to more families and communities across the province. 

To learn more, click here