Columbia International College

PROFILE COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

locationKanada

Ranked #1 in Canada

the largest private boarding secondary and preparatory school by student enrollment, with around 1,800 students from over 70 countries.

Ranked #1 Globally

Ranked #1 globally in admissions and scholarships among high schools feeding top universities according to Columbia International College, which reports that its graduates receive more offers of admission and larger scholarship totals than any other school in Canada.

Established in 1979

Year of Establishment

Columbia International College is a private boarding preparatory school in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, founded in 1979, that focuses on Grades 7 to 12 and pre university preparation for international students through the Ontario Secondary School Diploma and intensive English programs. It offers a Total Care Education System that integrates academics, development, residence life and family communication, with about 1,700 to 1,800 students from more than 70 countries. The college provides year round admission, six semesters per year and multiple program lengths, helping students complete high school faster and progress efficiently to universities in Canada and around the world. International students benefit from comprehensive boarding, strong university placement support and official partnerships with leading universities, including the University of Toronto, Waterloo, McMaster, York and Western.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Columbia International College has built a strong record of global university placement, scholarship outcomes and international recognition for its students, particularly in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. The Class of 2025 alone earned nearly 37 million Canadian dollars in university entrance scholarships, the highest total in the school’s 46 year history, with an individual student receiving 834,000 Canadian dollars, also a school record. Graduates have secured hundreds of offers from prestigious institutions, including Canada’s top universities, the United Kingdom’s leading universities and Australia’s Group of Eight universities, reflecting the competitiveness of CIC students in global higher education.

  1. The Class of 2025 earned a record total of about 36,993,893 Canadian dollars in university entrance scholarships, the highest in the school’s history
  2. CIC’s Class of 2025 received 120 offers from Australia’s Group of Eight universities, including the University of Sydney, Monash University, the University of Queensland and the Australian National University.
  3. CIC’s Class of 2025 earned nearly 100 offers from top United Kingdom universities and continues to achieve high admission rates to Canada’s top 10 universities by Maclean’s ranking.

FACILITIES

Columbia International College’s main Ainsliewood Campus is an approximately 11,200 square metre facility that houses modern classrooms, labs and learning spaces for Grades 7 to 12 and university preparatory programs. The college operates a comprehensive residence system under Total Care Living, with separate boys and girls residences offering academic, recreational and dining facilities. CIC also owns Bark Lake Leadership and Outdoor Education Centre, a 700 acre site in Haliburton County that supports leadership training and outdoor education.

  1. Facilities 1, academic classrooms, science laboratories and learning commons, in Ainsliewood Campus
  2. Facilities 2, gymnasiums, indoor swimming pool, fitness and sports courts, in Ainsliewood and residence campuses
  3. Facilities 3, student residences, dining halls and student lounges, in Pine Hall, Oak Hall and Linden Hall residence campuses
  4. Facilities 4, Bark Lake Leadership and Outdoor Education Centre, in Bark Lake campus, Haliburton County

LOCATION

Ainslie Wood Campus

1003 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4P3

Bark Lake Leadership and Outdoor Education Centre

Bark Lake, Haliburton County, Ontario, Canada

Pine Hall and Oak Hall Residences

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (boys boarding residences connected to the main school through the Total Care Living system)

Pine Hall Girls and Linden Hall Residences

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (girls boarding residences within the Total Care Living system)

INTAKE & PROGRAMMED OFFERED

Intake

PRE UNIVERSITY

January February March April May June July August September October November December

IELTS: NA

UNDERGRADUATE

January February March April May June July August September October November December

IELTS: NA

POST GRADUATE

January February March April May June July August September October November December

IELTS: NA

Programmes

List of all foundation programmes

  1. Ontario Secondary School Diploma foundation program for university entry at senior high school level (Grades 11 to 12)
  2. Junior Middle School program (Grades 7 and 8) providing academic foundation for entry into the high school program and later university pathways.

List of all pathway programmes

  1. High School program (Grades 9 to 12) delivering the Ontario Secondary School Diploma for university admission in Canada and abroad.
  2. Elite Pathway with the University of Toronto, a two year accelerated academic and leadership track for high achieving students targeting competitive programs.
  3. Sure To University pathways with McMaster University, Ontario Tech University, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto and York University

List of all programmes

  1. English as a Second Language (ESL) program for students who need additional English support before or alongside academic courses.
  2. IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL and SSAT official test centre services for students and external candidates.
  3. ESL Summer Camp programs that combine English learning with cultural and recreational activities.
  4. Leadership and outdoor education programs at Bark Lake Leadership and Outdoor Education Centre.

TUITION FEE & LIVING COST

TUITION FEE

APPLICATION FEE

300 CAD

PRE UNIVERSITY

UNDER GRADUATE

POSTGRADUATE

19,800 to 34,850 CAD per 10 month academic year

NA

NA

Living Cost

Approximately 1400 to 1700 CAD per month including accommodation and meals

ACCOMODATION

on-campus
Total Care Living Residences, Pine Hall, Oak Hall, Linden Hall

These residences form the core of the Total Care Living system, offering supervised boarding for boys and girls with integrated academic, social and wellness support. Rooms typically include individual heating and air conditioning controls, study desks, internet access and secure storage, while common areas provide lounges, game rooms, gyms, pools and study spaces.

  1. Benefits: 24 hour supervised environment designed for international students, integrated with school services and health support.
  2. Rooms: furnished bedrooms with individual climate control, study desk, personal phone extension, wired and wireless internet and lockable storage.
  3. Facilities: indoor gym or fitness areas, games rooms, TV lounges, swimming pool in selected residences, study rooms and outdoor terraces.
  4. Services: four daily meals from on site kitchens, weekly housekeeping, laundry facilities, school bus transportation and 24 hour security.
  5. Price range: residence and meal plan together are about 13,800 CAD for a 10 month academic year, with additional fees for uniforms, activities and personal expenses.