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Central Okanagan, British Columbia, for a High School Canada programme

High School Canada - Central Okanagan, British Columbia

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High School Canada

A lively tourist valley between lakes, vineyards, mountains and skiing.

Canada · British Columbia · Central Okanagan · 13-18 years · 1 term / 1 semester / 1 school year

High School programme in Central Okanagan, British Columbia

Central Okanagan is located in the heart of British Columbia. The region is a major Canadian tourist destination all year round, between lakes, vineyards, orchards and mountains.

Big White is a well-known ski resort, famous for its champagne powder. The four communities of Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna and Lake Country together have more than 250 000 inhabitants and combine city life, restaurants, shops, museums, shows, concerts and leisure.

Programme key facts

The key information for placing the High School programme in Central Okanagan.

Country and province

Canada, British Columbia, Central Okanagan region.

Duration

1 term, 1 school semester or 1 full school year.

Age

Programme for young people aged 13 to 18.

District

Central Okanagan Public Schools, 5th largest school district in British Columbia.

Arrival

Airport of arrival: Kelowna.

Why choose Central Okanagan?

  • A lively tourist destination, ideal for snow sports enthusiasts.
  • A 120 km lake, beaches, vineyards, orchards, mountains and ski resorts.
  • A growing economy between tourism, leisure and technological innovation.
  • Major university campus of British Columbia University after Vancouver.
  • 5th largest school district in British Columbia, with more than 25 000 pupils.
  • Quality teaching and results above the provincial and national averages.
  • A wide selection of academic and optional courses.
  • Programmes in arts, technology, sciences, music and Advanced Programs.
  • Specialities: Golf, Baseball, Equine, Swim, Hockey, Soccer, Firefighting, Lifeguard Academies, entrepreneurship, Art & Design.
  • English support lessons, an available teaching team and a local coordinator.
  • Ski passes available at attractive prices.

Central Okanagan Public Schools

Central Okanagan Public Schools is the 5th largest school district in British Columbia. It brings together 47 modern, spacious schools, including 5 high schools of an excellent academic standard.

The schools take between 900 and 1 500 students depending on the establishment. The district offers a wide selection of subjects and extracurricular activities, in an active and supervised Canadian environment.

The programme

Students choose 4 subjects per semester. For a full school year, that represents 8 subjects in total.

English support lessons are offered. Pupils can also access speciality programmes and Advanced Programs in sciences and humanities depending on their profile, their level and the availability of the schools.

Academic subjects

  • English Literature
  • Creative Writing
  • Government & Politics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Law
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Social Studies
  • AP Sciences
  • AP Humanities

Arts and expression

  • Theatre Company
  • Visual & Media Arts
  • Video Production
  • Animation
  • Ceramics & Sculpture
  • Concert Band & Choir
  • Digital Design/video
  • Photography
  • Dance performance
  • Jazz studies

Technology and options

  • Computer Studies
  • Electronics & Robotics
  • Environmental Science
  • Business Education
  • Health Science
  • Human Kinetics
  • Outdoor Education
  • Drafting & Design
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Firefighting and Lifeguard Academies

Sports and academies

  • Golf Academy
  • Baseball Academy
  • Equine Academy
  • Swim Academy
  • Hockey Academy
  • Soccer Academy
  • Basketball
  • Cross-Country
  • Fitness
  • Track & Field
  • Volleyball
  • Mountain Biking

The district schools

George Elliot Secondary School

Founded in 1959 and located in the Lake District, George Elliot Secondary School takes around 900 students. The school offers in particular the Academy of Art & Design, as well as the Golf and Hockey Academies.

Options and activities: Animation, Ceramics & Sculpture, Concert Band & Choir, Digital Design/video, Photography, Theatre Performance. Sports: Basketball, Cross-Country, Fitness, Soccer, Track & Field, Volleyball.

Kelowna Secondary School

Located in Kelowna near the city centre, Kelowna Secondary School takes around 1 900 students. The school offers Advanced Programs in Sciences and Humanities.

Options and activities: Art Studio, Business Education, Debate, Electronics & Robotics. Sports: Basketball, Golf, Martial Arts, Rugby, Soccer, Yoga.

Mount Boucherie Secondary School

Located in West Kelowna, Mount Boucherie Secondary School takes around 1 500 students and offers the largest selection of arts programmes in the district.

Options and activities: Business Education, Computer Science, Concert Band & Choir, Visual & Media Arts, Video Production, Dance performance, Jazz studies. Sports: American Football, Baseball, Hockey, Mountain Biking.

Okanagan Mission Secondary School

Located to the south of Kelowna, Okanagan Mission Secondary School takes around 1 000 students. The school offers Advanced Programs in Biology and English, as well as the Soccer and Swim Academies.

Options and activities: Music, Costume Design, Entrepreneurship, Musical, Theatre Company. Sports: Basketball, Dance Fitness, Hockey, Tennis, Volleyball.

Rutland Senior Secondary

Located in the historic district of Kelowna, Rutland Senior Secondary takes around 1 600 students. The school offers the largest selection of Advanced Programs in the district, as well as the Baseball, Golf, Hockey and Soccer Academies.

Options and activities: Band & Choir, Business Education, Media Production, Psychology, Visual & Media Arts. Sports: American Football, Basketball, Martial Arts, Track & Field, Volleyball.

Host family in Central Okanagan

Host family

The families are selected by the district's accommodation managers. They welcome students as a member of their family and share their culture and their way of life.

They look after the safety, well-being and support of the young people during the stay. The families live in the district's communities, with a journey to school generally taking between 10 and 20 minutes by car, bus or bike. The region also benefits from a good public transport network.

Local coordinator

During the stay, the student benefits from the help and support of the local coordinator. She answers questions and provides the necessary assistance.

She visits the school every week to meet the international students and becomes the main point of contact during the programme.

Discover Central Okanagan

Central Okanagan Public Schools

Central Okanagan Public Schools: a modern district between lakes, mountains and Canadian schools.

Outdoor activities, lakes and skiing in Central Okanagan

Outdoor activities, lakes, vineyards, mountains and skiing in Central Okanagan.

George Elliot Secondary School in Central Okanagan
Kelowna Secondary School in British Columbia
Mount Boucherie Secondary School in West Kelowna
Okanagan Mission or Rutland Senior Secondary in Central Okanagan

Indicative prices 2026-27

Indicative prices 2026-27, flights included from Brussels or Paris.

  • 1 school year, late August/early September - late June: 20 695 €
  • 1 school semester, late August/early September - late January, or early February - late June: 13 415 €
  • 4 months, from February or April: 11 425 €
  • 3 months, from February or April: 9 675 €
  • From September on request: limited places.

Our prices include

  • Return flight from Brussels or Paris, up to 1 200 €.
  • Selection of the secondary school and tuition fees.
  • Accommodation in a single room, full board with a host family.
  • Registration fee.
  • Access to extracurricular activities, sports and clubs.
  • Return transfer between the designated airport and the family at the start and end of the stay.
  • Assistance, support and follow-up from the local partner during the stay.
  • Orientation meeting on site.
  • Compulsory medical insurance.
  • Regular assessment reports during the stay.
  • Motivation interview and English test before departure.
  • Move & Study service before, during and after the stay.
  • 24/7 emergency number.

They do not include

  • Accommodation supplement for a special diet.
  • Any excursions and outings.
  • Optional courses.
  • Membership fees for certain sports clubs or extracurricular activities.
  • Visa or eTA fees.
  • Optional insurance.
  • Pocket money: allow around 350 CAD per month.
High School Canada project

Preparing a High School project in Central Okanagan

Move & Study can help you check the conditions, the dates, the application and whether the programme suits the participant's profile.

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