Admission/Graduation Requirements
West Vancouver School District classes run from September to June every year with two week breaks in December and March.
Admission to the International Education Program is considered once applicants submit the following documentation: a nonrefundable C$300 application fee; at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher or principal; and official transcripts from the past three years of schoolwork. Students must also pay a nonrefundable homestay placement fee of C$300 to cover the administrative costs of arranging accommodation for students. Generally, it is recommended that students are achieving at a 75% level in the academic subjects currently being studied in their home country.
Upon notification of acceptance into the program, students are required to pay the entire amount of tuition in order to reserve their position in the program. Students who fail to pay will lose their position to other students on the waiting list.
Student visas must be obtained by all international students. Applications can be made to the Canadian High Commission of the country in which the student resides. Failure to get a student visa will result in a withdrawal of the offer to participate in the program.
For more detailed information on study permits and visa applications please see
All international students must have health insurance to protect them against costs resulting from accidents or illness. WVSD has incorporated the C$700 cost of health care into its tuition fee. All documentation is completed once the student arrives in Canada.
Immigration Procedures
Once a student has received our formal letter of acceptance, it is their responsibility to obtain a Study Permit from the Canadian Embassy or Canadian Consulate in the country where they reside.
Students must obtain a Study Permit before leaving their country of residence in order to attend school in Canada. The student will need to:
- submit to the Canadian Embassy or the Canadian Consulate in the country of residence
- an acceptance letter from the West Vancouver School District
- an official receipt of payment of tuition fees
- proof of sufficient funds to maintain the student for one year.
- pass a medical examination.
International students can only attend the school authorized by the school district.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their Study Permit is current. Students can contact the International Program Office Office if they require assistance in completing CICs application to extend a Study Permit.
To learn more about Citizenship & Immigration Canada procedures for obtaining a Study Permit, please visit their website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/.
At a Glance Requirements - What You Need to Graduate
In order to graduate with a Dogwood, every student in the Graduation Program has to
pass certain basic courses, like English, mathematics and science. The table below is an
overview of what you need to graduate:
- 48 credits from required courses,
- 28 credits from elective courses, and
- 4 credits from Graduation Transitions.
Graduation requirements are introduced in your Planning 10 class. For more help, talk to
your teacher or school counselor, and refer to the Grad Planner for more details.
REQUIRED COURSES:
Subject Area Minimum Credits
Planning 10 4
a Language Arts 10 4
a Language Arts 11 4
a Language Arts 12 4
a Mathematics 10 4
a Mathematics 11 or 12 4
a Fine Arts and/or Applied Skills 10, 11 or 12 4
Social Studies 10 4
a Social Studies 11 or 12 4
Science 10 4
a Science 11 or 12 4
Physical Education 10 4
48 credits
ELECTIVE COURSES:
Students must earn at least 28 elective credits. Minimum Credits
Additional Grade 10-12 credits* 28 credits
GRADUATION TRANSITIONS
Students must earn 4 credits for Graduation Transitions 4 credits
OVERALL TOTAL: 80 credits
*Of the 80 credits for graduation, at least 16 must be at the Grade 12 level, including a Grade
12 Language Arts course. Others may be required or elective courses.