International students who would like to study in Lethbridge must submit an application package.
Before submitting an online application, you need to have the following documents ready to be uploaded in either jpg or pdf format, and smaller than 5MB. Please click on the links to download any related document:
- Signed legal agreement
- School/academic records from the past two years translated into English (copies must have a school stamp) with a grade scale
- Course selection form
- Copy of passport (photo page)
- Letters of reference from the current teacher and/or principal translated into English
- Student letter of intent
- Student’s medical record
- Custodianship documents (only required to be submitted during application if the student will not be part of the Canada Homestay Network (CHN) program)
How to Apply
Step 1
Click HERE to begin the application process as either an agent or a parent (if no agent will be helping you).
We encourage you to apply online. If you are unable to do so, please email us at international.services@lethsd.ab.ca.
Step 2
Once your online application is submitted, arrange for payment of application fee as per instructions provided when you submitted the application.
Step 3
Once your application fee and complete application package are received by International Services, the application will be evaluated.
Your online account will be the place where you:
- Communicate with and receive communications from International Services about the application
- Access all documentation: invoices, receipts, letter of acceptance, and health insurance policy information
Step 4
Notification of the decision will occur as soon as possible after receipt of a full application package.
For accepted applicants, an invoice will be uploaded to your online account for payment of full tuition, health insurance, and other applicable fees.
The Letter of Acceptance will not be issued until the application fee is received and the application has been approved.
If requiring Homestay, please apply for homestay services here.
Medical Insurance
All international students attending Lethbridge School Division must purchase medical insurance. Please complete the Medical Insurance section of the Application to Study in Lethbridge form.
Our insurance coverage is provided by Study Insured.
Insurance Fees:
- $1.50 per day, to a maximum of $500 per year.
What does this cover?
For details regarding the medical coverage provided by this insurance, please read the insurance coverage information available through the link to Study Insured listed above. The brochures are available in many different languages.
Study Permits
If you want to study in Canada, you may require a Study Permit.
The International Services Office of Lethbridge School Division will issue a letter of acceptance for this purpose upon receipt of a completed application package, including the application form, application fee, and all required documentation. Acceptance to our Division is dependent on available space in our schools.
When an international student arrives in Canada for the first time or renews an existing study permit, a copy of the new study permit must be submitted to the International Services Office.
How to Apply
- To apply for a new study permit from outside of Canada.
- Current students already studying in a Lethbridge school can get more information about renewing their existing study permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should plan your arrival so that you are 3-5 days earlier than the first day of school indicated on the school calendar.
Once you arrive, all travel outside of our city must be with the school, your host family or your custodian.
You will be supported by a number of adults including: your custodian, your host family, International Services Office, school administrator, school counsellor, ESL teachers, and you will be assigned an advisor at your school.
Every high school student has an advisor. This is a teacher who you will see every day, and who will monitor how you are doing. Your advisor will be there to answer questions and give advice. You will have the same advisor for your entire stay in Lethbridge, even if your other teachers and classes change from one semester to the next.
Yes, you will take regular classes with Canadian students. When you arrive at the school, you will help to decide which classes to take, and your teachers will understand that you may be an English Language Learner.
Yes, every effort will be made to help you learn English, including providing you with class time in an English Language Learner classroom.
There are 5 class periods in a day, except for Friday, which has 4 class periods. Class periods are about 65 minutes long. Each day starts about 8:00 AM and ends about 3:00 PM, except Friday, which ends about 12:45 PM. Monday through Thursday there will be about a one hour lunch break.
If you arranged your own homestay, then you are responsible for getting to your Lethbridge homestay on your own. If you arrange your homestay through CHN, your fees will cover pick-up or drop-off at the Lethbridge Airport. If you request an airport pick-up or drop-off from the Calgary International Airport there is an additional fee for this service. Driving time between Lethbridge and Calgary is about 2 hours.
If you arranged your own homestay, then your custodian will likely be an adult from your homestay family. If we arrange your homestay, your custodian will be the Director of the International Services Program.
Do not travel with large amounts of cash. You can bring Traveller's Cheques, transfer money to a newly opened bank account in Canada, or use a bank card.
The schools will have several areas where you can sit and use a computer. The local public libraries have computers that you could use as well. If you bring your own computer please keep in mind that it can only be used in common household areas of you host family home. Students are not permitted to use personal computers in unsupervised areas such as their bedrooms.
Our high schools include grades 9 to 12. Most of our students are 14 to 18 years old. We would consider accepting students who are younger if they were to be living with a relative or family member.
Autumn or Fall (September 21-December 20):
Temperature ranges from -9 to +20. September is almost as warm as the summer but October through to December can often require winter clothing. Buy high-quality winter coats with hoods, long pants, sweaters and waterproof boots or shoes.
Winter (December 21-March 20):
Temperature ranges from -25 to +3. Snow falls and stays on the ground until we get a Chinook wind. January and February are the coldest months of the year and can be bitterly cold. It can be so cold outside that it is dangerous to go out with any skin exposed. Get thermal underwear tops and bottoms and wool socks. Windproof hats, thick mittens, scarves and warm, waterproof boots are essential. Dress in layers so that you can remove a sweater if you are too warm in our heated buildings.
Spring (March 21-June 20):
Temperature ranges from -6 to +21. There can be rain during this period. In March and April, you will need to wear sweaters and windproof and rainproof jackets and rainproof shoes. In May and June it gets warm enough to go outside without a coat on.
You can find detailed weather information on the National Climate Data and Information Archive: click here.