Stanstead College
In the process of preparing the material, we referenced the following sources: Wikipedia, Boarding School Review, Education News Canada
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Stanstead College
In the 7-8 grades Stanstead College provides for the division of disciplines into compulsory and selective. The students of the junior school traditionally study English, mathematics and the second official language of Canada - French. You can choose your favorite subjects from the list:
- Socially oriented sciences;
- Geography;
- Art history;
- Physical education;
- History;
- Music;
- Social law.
Mathematics and two official languages of the country remain the basic subjects in the 9th and 11th grades. Two subjects must be selected from additional: one from the humanitarian and natural block.
To complicate the programs in AP courses, students begin to prepare from the 10th grade. Subjects and special courses gradually expand the areas of knowledge of schoolchildren and accustom them to independence.
The transition to AP courses is possible at Stanstead College in the eleventh-formers in subjects:
- Chemistry;
- Mathematics;
- Physics;
- French.
Examination for them is provided to the admission commissions of universities for the purpose of enrollment. The end of grade 11 opens the doors of the College of Quebec for students with a 2-year specialization program. Also you can continue your studies in 12th grade of Stanstead College.
English as a foreign language
The college invites English language students from countries where it is studied as an additional language. For one year ESL children learn English at the academic level and can move on to studying school courses. For talented students an intensive course was developed, which can be completed in 1-2 terms. With a good level of language knowledge and subject vocabulary, the ESL course can be conducted individually, without detaching yourself from the general program.
Summer language courses
Stanstead College offers summer vacations for improving English, Spanish or French on a program with an extensive list of cultural events. The system of language immersion and groups of up to 15 students can significantly speed up the learning process. After the introductory testing all children are divided according to the levels of ownership:
- Primary;
- Secondary;
- Higher.
In class, students recite new words, engage in listening, reading and writing. Teachers are working on increasing the vocabulary, improving the level of conversation and grammar.
The children speak in the chosen language during classes and during recreational trips. The maximum immersion in the environment is achieved through games, developing classes and visits to attractions. Summer course "Language + Adventures" introduces foreign students to the nature of Canada, traditions and culture. The maximum return due to an unobtrusive form of studying is given to trips to parks, museums, beaches, rest by the fire or in the woods. Children can study art and folk crafts, engage in team sports, swim or indulge in shopping. Every year, Stanstead College is changing the program of cultural and recreational activities, so that children who are taking summer courses are not bored.
For 4 weeks of studying it is necessary to give the educational institution 3950 Canadian dollars. The total amount also includes:
- Laundry;
- Transportation;
- Travel and excursions;
- 20 - 25 academic hours of language per week;
- Accommodation;
- Meals;
- T-shirt for memory with a group photo.
Summer language courses
Stanstead College offers summer vacations for improving English, Spanish or French on a program with an extensive list of cultural events. The system of language immersion and groups of up to 15 students can significantly speed up the learning process. All children after the introductory testing are divided according to the levels of ownership:
- Primary;
- Secondary;
- Higher.
In class, students recite new words, engage in listening, reading and writing. Teachers are working on increasing of the vocabulary, improving the level of conversation and grammar.
In the chosen language, children speak during classes and recreational trips. The maximum immersion in the environment is achieved through games, developing classes and visits to attractions. Summer course "Language + Adventures" introduces foreign students to the nature of Canada, traditions and culture. The maximum return due to an unobtrusive form of studying is given to trips to parks, museums, beaches, rest by the fire or in the woods. Children can study art and folk crafts, engage in team sports, swim or indulge in shopping. Every year, Stanstead College is changing the program of cultural and recreational activities, so that children who are taking summer courses are not bored.
For 4 weeks of studying it is necessary to give the educational institution 3950 Canadian dollars. The total amount also includes:
- Laundry;
- Transportation;
- Travel and excursions;
- 20 - 25 academic hours of language per week;
- Accommodation;
- Meals;
- T-shirt for memory with a group photo.
Summer language courses
Stanstead College offers summer vacations for improving English, Spanish or French on a program with an extensive list of cultural events. The system of language immersion and groups of up to 15 students can significantly speed up the learning process. All children after the introductory testing are divided according to the levels of ownership:
- Primary;
- Secondary;
- Higher.
In class, students recite new words, engage in listening, reading and writing. Teachers are working on increasing of the vocabulary, improving the level of conversation and grammar.
In the chosen language, children speak during classes and recreational trips. The maximum immersion in the environment is achieved through games, developing classes and visits to attractions. Summer course "Language + Adventures" introduces foreign students to the nature of Canada, traditions and culture. The maximum return due to an unobtrusive form of studying is given to trips to parks, museums, beaches, rest by the fire or in the woods. Children can study art and folk crafts, engage in team sports, swim or indulge in shopping. Every year, Stanstead College is changing the program of cultural and recreational activities, so that children who are taking summer courses are not bored.
The total amount also includes:
- Laundry;
- Transportation;
- Travel and excursions;
- 20 - 25 academic hours of language per week;
- Accommodation;
- Meals;
- T-shirt for memory with a group photo.
Description of Stanstead College
- Year of foundation: 1872
- Location: Stansted, Quebec
- Age of students: from 12 years
- Type of education: mixed
- Number of students: 195, 40% are foreign students
- Programs: High School, High School Diploma (with AP), English for Schoolchildren (ESL programme), Summer Language Programs
- Accommodation: residence
- Ranking: one of the best boarding schools in Quebec.
Stanstead College is a private boarding school in Canada, characterized by its small size, chamberiness, family atmosphere. An educational institution with more than a century old history is famous for its high level of academic preparation. High-qualified teachers from Canada and other countries work at the boarding school. Besides classical disciplines, students develop important skills:
- Independent decision-making;
- Priority setting;
- Self-interest;
- Critical thinking.
Academic programs are based on the principles established by the Ministry of Education of Quebec. Private boarding school is accredited by CAIS and NEASC. Studying here is not limited by classroom lessons. It continues beyond the educational building. There is an academic adviser who oversees studying process, academic progress, individual development of the student, successes, difficulties, and helps in solving emerging problems. To achieve high results in the school, there is a wide range of additional resources. Students are not restricted in independent work, they can use the library, classrooms at any time. Stanstead College specialists are always ready to advise a student on academic, career-oriented questions.
The Canadian college attracts foreign students not only with academic results and opportunities for self-development. The college is quite conveniently located. Stanstead College is located in a picturesque corner of Quebec, just 5 minutes from the US border and an hour and a half from Montreal.
What makes Canadian schools special? Why do parents from all over the world choose Canada primary and secondary schools for their children?
First of all, it is a high level of education, which is recognized throughout the world. Canada is the most educated country on the planet, so the culture of education is at the highest level here. All schools in Canada - public, private, independent - follow a provincial curriculum, and all educators are required to hold a teaching degree and certification. All these factors convince families that no matter which school they choose, their children will receive a first-class education.
Educational process
Younger students take part in the Junior Study Skills Program: students in grades 7-9 are required to keep a diary-planner and work in an organized way using folders, on Monday mornings "home classes" are held to review the week, and computers are not allowed during the first half of prep time.
Each student is assigned a mentor who monitors academic progress, helps resolve problems, and serves as a link between the school and parents. Year 12 classes average 12 students, and boarding itself is organized as a 7-day residence stay that fosters independence.
Students with documented special educational needs are provided with academic accommodations. Psycho-educational testing for undocumented cases is carried out separately and paid for additionally. Through the Learning Resource Centre, qualified teachers help students with organization, time management, note-taking, test preparation, memory development, writing, essay planning, and critical thinking.
Scientific achievements
- in 2026, the Stanstead bantam and junior boys' soccer teams won the ETIAC league regular season and playoffs for the second year in a row, while the junior girls' team won both titles for only the third time since 1989,
- in 2025, the Stanstead cross-country running team won the ETIAC season championship for the second year in a row.
Things to know about
- Stanstead College was founded in 1872 as an independent boarding school in Quebec for boys and girls from grade 7 to grade 12,
- the school acknowledges that it is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Abenaki First Nation,
- the campus is located near the border with Vermont, in the heart of French-speaking Quebec, and welcomes students from more than 20 countries,
- the Bugbee House residence opened in 1958 and was named after Dr. and Mrs. A. G. Bugbee, who donated the building where the Bugbee Business College operated from 1894 to 1957,
- the Webster House residence for senior girls opened in 1991 and was named after the Webster family, longtime patrons and benefactors of the school,
- the Pat Burns Arena ice rink opened in the spring of 2011 and was named after legendary NHL coach Pat Burns, who lived in the region,
- in early 2001 a fire destroyed the recreation hall built in 1905, and in the same year a student center was erected on its granite foundation, named after Eric T. Webster, chairman of the board of trustees from 1964 to 1975,
- Alumni House, acquired by the school in 2007, was built in 1866 as the summer home of Isaac and Mary Pierce Butters and was originally called Broadview,
- Centenary Church, located across from the main campus, was built in 1866 as a Methodist church and has been part of the United Church of Canada since 1925, and many of the school's headmasters also served as local ministers,
- Stanstead College students come from an average of 20 different countries, and during Multicultural Week they prepare traditional dishes from their home countries in the school kitchen.
Accommodation, meals, prices
The school provides 2 comfortable residences for accommodation of students. On the territory of the hostels there is a 24-hour educational control. The safety of students is monitored by Stanstead College staff, student prefects.
Accommodation is offered to students in 2-bed rooms. In the hostels there are mini-kitchens, laundries, there are rest rooms. All residences are on campus. Academic buildings are a few minutes walk from them.
Food for boarders is organized according to the principle of full boarding. There is a spacious dining room.
Subjects and sports
Activities Stanstead College
Fall sports include soccer (boys and girls, Senior/Junior/Bantam levels), hockey (varsity for girls and boys), ultimate frisbee, cross-country (the school's top runner of the season receives the W. Greenshields Memorial Trophy), golf, pickleball, badminton, and intramural outdoor activities. Winter sports include hockey (varsity and prep, boys and girls, U18, U15), basketball, volleyball, curling, skiing, and the wellness-focused "Boot Camp" (non-competitive winter term options), squash, and swimming. Spring sports include rugby (boys and girls, senior and junior groups), lacrosse (boys and girls), tennis, softball, golf, badminton, track and field, outdoor recreation, and flag football. Badminton is offered as an intramural program in the fall, and in the spring in both competitive and recreational formats with periodic tournaments.
In addition to sports, the school holds an annual winter carnival, a lip-sync contest, theatrical productions, and variety shows. During short school breaks, students who are not going home are offered chaperoned trips with a full schedule of activities, accommodation, and meals. For the past ten years, the school's students and teachers have spent spring break helping to build homes in Central America and Africa together with Habitat for Humanity.
Advantages
- High educational standards.
- Almost 100% of graduates enter universities in Canada, the USA.
- Chamber (relatively small territory, a contingent of less than 200 people, classes for 12 people), family atmosphere.
- Intensive preparation for the university during the last year of study.
- An opportunity of early passing the ESL program.
Facilities and equipment at Stanstead College
Stanstead College campus has everything for comfortable living and effective learning, as well as leisure activities. The educational building is equipped with auditoriums, lecture rooms, a library, a computer lab, a laboratory, a self-study room, a conference room. For the creative development of children, a musical, art studio, a student center is provided. Sports infrastructure is represented by gyms, four tennis courts, a hockey arena, fields for football, basketball, rugby, a gym.
Admission dates and extra charges
Additional fees:
- Charge for enrollment;
- Deposit;
- Pre-payment upon registration;
- One-time contribution to school development;
Foreign curriculum can also include curatorial supervision, international insurance, airport transfers, bed linen (+ blankets and pillows).
Extras:
- Registration fee (for a programme/course) 200 CAD
- Deposit for a course/programme 1000 CAD
- Pocket money 200 CAD
- Uniform 800 CAD
- Medical insurance 1225 CAD
- Application fee 2000 CAD
Enrolment statistics
During the 2025-2026 academic year, 64 students studied in grade 12. Graduates received offers from 36 Canadian, 46 American, and 3 international universities in 8 provinces, 14 states, and 4 countries.
Priority in application review is given to those who submitted documents by the end of March, since the number of places is limited.
Perspectives
The total amount of scholarships offered to the Class of 2026 graduates was approximately $6 million.
A graduate of the Class of 2024 who took part in university football, volleyball, and recreational badminton was admitted to McGill University for a program in arts and management.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
- application fee — 100 CAD,
- a photograph of the applicant and a copy of the birth certificate,
- references from the principal, a teacher, and a personal contact,
- an application essay in English and copies of recent school reports,
- for applicants whose native language is not English — a TOEFL, TOEFL Junior, or English language test result, or Duolingo,
- tuition at the day student rate is available only to Canadian and US citizens living locally with parents or legal guardians,
- the school uniform is supplied by Top Marks in Montreal and includes a blazer with the school crest (fitted red or classic navy cut), a white Oxford shirt with a button-down collar, a red school tie, gray trousers or a skirt, a black leather belt, gray knee socks or black socks, and black leather shoes,
- at the advanced level of the summer language camp, students take the TOEFL Junior test at the end.
Scholarships Stanstead College
- more than 40% of students receive scholarships or financial aid totaling over 2 million dollars a year,
- financial aid is available to students from grade 7 to grade 12 based on academic achievement and financial need: applications are submitted through the Apple Financial Services (FACS) or Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) programs, and it is worth applying as early as possible for full consideration — over time FAST will fully give way to FACS,
- financial aid usually does not exceed 50% of tuition cost, averaging 25%,
- for scholarships (as opposed to regular financial aid), Canadian or US citizenship is additionally required, along with an application and financial documents submitted in advance through FACS or FAST, as well as an average grade in core subjects of at least 85% on the latest report card; the school does not offer athletic scholarships,
- the annual entrance scholarship exam is by invitation only and includes testing in English, French, and mathematics,
- partial scholarships are awarded to new students based on entrance exam results, averaging 25% of tuition cost and up to a maximum of 50%,
- the school also awards the named Andrew Martin Scholarship to a student with an average grade of at least 80% who has distinguished themselves in an additional area of activity,
- special year-end awards range from 100 to 3000 dollars and are given to returning students nominated by teachers and selected by vote.
Literature and references
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Stanstead College
I visited Stanstead College twice.)) The first time I came here for the summer French courses, and only then together with my parents decided to enter the program of the senior classes and prepare for entering the Canadian university.
I was thinking about studying abroad for a long time: I have good pack of languages, and the foreign diploma is much more valuable.
I chose studying in Canada. In England, studying at TOP schools is expensive because of additional payments. And already when I went to the summer program in the camp, I appreciated the spontaneity of Canadians. My friend and I traveled to the USA a few years ago (in the same way in the summer) - and Canadians are much more affable, they say what they think.
The atmosphere in the school in Quebec is quite international. I am really enthusiastic about the boarding system: no driving in the morning gloomy bus, in the evening you do not have to count the time on the way home - two minutes, and you're in your dormitory. Those who say that in boarding schools you feel locked in four walls, I recommend trying to bypass the whole territory. It is so huge that in some places you even forget a little that you are at the school.
And in general, convenience is the first word that comes to mind when asked to tell "Well, how do you study in Canada?". Here everything is designed for people, all for students: you want additional lessons - please help with homework or take individual lessons - come-sign, library, labs and classes with computers are open full-time, almost until late at night. Everyone has a mentor here (tutor), with whom you can discuss your studies, which subjects to choose, which ones will be more difficult to hand over, which ones will be useful in the university - some tutors themselves finish Stanstead.
When I went to study, I thought: "Well, yes, it will be difficult, but what prospects?". And it turned out that, yes, it is difficult, but in general this is a very, very cool opportunity, and I am directly pleased that I am studying here. If I went still to writing courses (here it's Creative Writing), I would say something like "I'm happy to meet the morning of every new day.")))
Our son is studying in Canada (Stansted). When he had a year left before graduation, we decided to pay for his education in a foreign college. We were, of course, very unexpected, and for him it was a shock in some way, but he agreed.
Our friends adviced us Smart Products and Services and we began to select a college. We found a very good college: small groups, intensive preparation for universities and decent living conditions. When we talk on skype, son is really delighted and plans to continue education in Canada.
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
