Overview

Ontario’s strategy for international education for kindergarten to Grade 12 gives students opportunities to:

  • develop global and international competencies both in Ontario and abroad
  • build a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and languages
  • expand their global awareness, knowledge, and perspectives

The strategy promotes opportunities for Ontario students to learn from international students, by exposing them to the diverse cultures, languages and viewpoints of their classmates, and the broader community in which they live.

International education in Ontario

In the context of the strategy, internationalization is the ongoing process of change in the school program and environment. There are opportunities to enhance learning through the integration of international, intercultural and/or global perspectives, cultures and experiences.

All students and educators in Ontario benefit from exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives and gain a better understanding of their world.

Developing intercultural competencies through international experiences is an important component of a 21st century education. Students learn to appreciate and understand the global perspectives they will need to succeed in our diverse and interconnected world.

Expand Ontario student’s global awareness

Students have access to opportunities at home and abroad to develop intercultural competencies, gain appreciation of international dimensions of their studies and experience difference cultures.

We encourage secondary school students to study international languages and to learn about the history, geography, arts and culture of other countries.

Ontario's world-class educators sharing their expertise abroad

Ontario educators benefit from opportunities to travel and work abroad and return with:

  • valuable new perspectives and strategies
  • a wider understanding of global issues to share with students and staff

Through exchange programs and partnerships, Ontario and international educators can learn a great deal from each other by sharing best practices, pedagogies and work experiences. These activities can open new international academic partnerships, projects and research initiatives, with increased collaboration at the kindergarten to Grade 12 and postsecondary levels.

Opportunities for international students

Find information on study permits and studying as an international student in Canada:

Study in Canada as an international student

Find out if your child needs a study permit

Find a list of school boards and private schools accepting international students for in-person learning for the 2021-22 school year.

Ontario is the largest beneficiary of foreign students in Canada and hosts almost half of all the international students choosing to live and study in Canada.

Some secondary students come from abroad to position themselves for entry into postsecondary education in Canada.

Postsecondary education pathways

To meet the challenge of increasing global competition in the field of international education, the strategy provides a framework to support initiatives and pathways to help students transition from kindergarten to Grade 12, all the way through Ontario postsecondary institutions and other education and training opportunities.

These include:

International schools - Teaching Ontario curriculum around the world

We currently have agreements with 19 international schools located around the world that are allowed to teach the Ontario curriculum and grant credits toward the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

We inspect these schools regularly to ensure that instruction in credit courses meets our requirements and to confirm compliance with the terms of the agreements.

Additional information

To learn more about international education in Ontario, visit:

This does not constitute a recommendation or an endorsement.

Contact information

For international education information, contact the Private Schools and International Education Unit of the Ministry of Education: