Sooke School District

Program Established: 1989

Programs Offered: Full Year, 1 semester, Short Term, Summer Camp, Winter Camp, Teacher Training

Specialized Programs: French Immersion, Advanced Placement

Educational Programs offered in: English, French

Total number of schools: 26

High schools for international students: 2

Total Students: 8600

Total International Students: 150

International Students Accepted for Grades: 5-12

Nearest Airport Victoria International Airport

Victoria basks on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and sparkles in one of Canada's mildest climates, with the lowest rainfall and the most sunshine of any on Canada's West Coast.
The area is famous for its ocean views and year-round recreational opportunities. Home to two excellent universities and two colleges, the city was recently named Canada’s “Smartest City” in recognition of its residents’ commitment to learning, cultural events and community involvement. With one of Canada’s highest per capita incomes and a quality of life that, by United Nations measure, is one of the finest on earth, the Greater Victoria area offers remarkable opportunities for people to live and to learn.

Average daytime temperatures range from 22 C° / 71° F in July to 7° C / 45° F in December. Our weather, along with the fact that Victoria offers year-round golf, whale watching, fishing, horseback riding, cycling, diving, bungy jumping, hiking, wildlife viewing, kayaking, canoeing, and much more, makes the "Garden City" an ideal destination any time of the year.

The populace of the Greater Victoria region are primarily of European ancestry. Fewer then 1% of Sooke Schools students require ESL students in its schools, offering a complete immersion experience for International Students seeking a true English language immersion experience.

Sooke Schools offers its own supervised Homestay Program, matching and placing students with families with interests and activity levels that are similar to those of the student. Families are carefully selected and interviewed. A home inspection is completed before a family is approved. A criminal record search must be completed and reference letters submitted. Host families new to the program must attend an orientation training session prior to the student's arrival. Host families are encouraged to include the student in all family activities. Approved travel outside the community with the family enriches the student's experience. The support and guidance offered by our host families encourages students to adjust quickly to their new community. Program and district staff assist host families in the support of the student's academic, social and language learning development. Program staff maintain regular communication with the student, families and overseas consultants. Program staff and affiliates provide support in the student's native language , when needed, in German, French, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Spanish.

Sooke Schools offer International Students the opportunity to participate fully in their school. Sooke Schools offer a variety of clubs and student leadership opportunities Students may also participate in school sports in Rowing, Volleyball, Basketball, Rugby, Football, Soccer, Golf, Cross Country Running, Badminton, Swimming, and Track and Field. Students may compete to join sports teams. In addition, International Students are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of International program activities which may include: three or more opportunities to ski/snowboard (both at Whistler Mt. and Mt. Washington), four opportunities to visit Vancouver ( site seeing and shopping) an opportunity to visit Seattle, curling, hiking, laser tag, attendance at a professional hockey and professional lacrosse games.

Entrance Dates: K-12 accepted into the international student program. Grade 5 to 12 accepted into the homestay program.

Application Deadlines: September entrance for full year students. September and February for semester students. Continuous intake for shorter term students as space permits

Application Fee: $225

Full Year Tuition Fee: $12,000

1 Semester Tuition Fee: $6,000

Annual Homestay Placement Fee: $375 one-time fee

Homestay Monthly Fee: $750

Annual Health Insurance Fee: $800

Annual Custodianship Fee: no charge

All funds are in Canadian dollars

General Inquiries Email: sookeisp@sd62.bc.ca

Website: www.sookeschoolsvictoria.com

Mailing Address: 3143 Jacklin Road

City: Victoria

Province: British Columbia

Postal Code: V9B 5R1

Phone: 250-474-9818

Fax: 250-474-9825