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View of Red Deer and Alberta for a High School Canada programme

High School Canada - Red Deer, Alberta

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High School Canada

A destination off the beaten track in Alberta, to spend a semester or a school year in a Canadian community on a human scale.

Canada · Alberta · Red Deer · 13-18 years · 1 semester or 1 school year

High School programme in Red Deer, Alberta

Red Deer is the third city of the province of Alberta and has a little over 100 000 inhabitants. Located halfway between Calgary and Edmonton, it offers a safe setting, pleasant to live in and close to nature, on the banks of the Red Deer River.

The programme allows the student to join a warm local community and to feel gradually part of Canadian life. The destination is particularly suitable for young people who like outdoor activities and want to have an experience different from the usual big destinations, whatever the temperature.

Programme key facts

The key information for placing the High School programme in Red Deer.

Country and province

Canada, Alberta, in the city of Red Deer.

Duration

1 school semester or 1 full school year.

Age

Programme for young people aged 13 to 18.

District

Red Deer Public Schools District, a small district with three main high schools and five middle schools.

Profile

Motivated, open, flexible young people drawn to immersion in a Canadian community on a human scale.

Why choose Red Deer?

  • A destination off the beaten track.
  • A large city on a human scale, in a safe and welcoming environment.
  • The Alberta education system, among the most highly regarded in Canada and in the world.
  • A province with a growing economy and a moderate cost of living.
  • A small district, allowing personalised attention.
  • A wide choice of subjects, in particular in arts and sciences.
  • The possibility of preparing a High School Diploma if the pathway allows it.
  • Activities and visits organised by the district.
  • A competent and dedicated team.
  • A buddy system with a Canadian student.
  • Warm and involved host families.

Red Deer Public Schools District

Red Deer Public Schools District is a small district with three main high schools and five middle schools. Its size allows it to offer personalised attention and support to international students, while offering a choice of subjects, clubs and sports comparable to that of larger districts.

The district runs a buddy system: a Canadian student is paired with the international student in order to make integration easier, answer practical questions and reduce the stress of the first few days.

The programme

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

English support lessons are available in the schools to help international pupils make progress. Depending on the pathway, the results and the length of the stay, it may be possible to prepare a High School Diploma.

Academic subjects

  • Sciences
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • ESL classes
  • International Baccalaureat / IB
  • Advanced Placement / AP

Languages, arts and expression

  • Chinese
  • Japanese
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Visual Communications
  • Design Studies
  • Band and Choral
  • Drama
  • Art
  • Music

Technology, projects and clubs

  • Information Technology
  • Trades and Business Studies
  • Food Studies
  • Student clubs: robotics, environment, maths
  • International Student’s Association

Sports and the outdoors

  • Basketball
  • Canadian Football
  • Rugby
  • Outdoor Pursuits
  • Skiing cross-country and downhill
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball
  • Track & Field

The district schools

Hunting Hills High School

Hunting Hills High School takes around 1 400 students. The arrival airports are Calgary or Edmonton. The school stands out for its wide choice of arts programmes and for its Chinese lessons.

Examples of clubs and sports: Drama, Dance, Music, Rockband, Theatre production, Visual Arts, Improvisation, Badminton, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Curling, Handball, Rugby, Football, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball.

Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School

Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School takes around 1 800 students. The school offers in particular the International Baccalaureat and English as a foreign language lessons.

Examples of clubs and sports: DYEversity, Student Leadership, Environment, Robotics, Math, Career, Badminton, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Curling, Handball, Rugby, Soccer, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball.

Gateway Christian School

Gateway Christian School takes around 700 students. The school is located next to Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School. Some of the lessons are offered in partnership with that school, as are the various sports.

Host family in Red Deer

Host family

Students are welcomed into a family carefully selected by the district's accommodation managers. The families are warm and welcome young people as a member of their family.

They look after the safety, well-being and successful integration of the students. It is not unusual for the host families to meet up together to share convivial moments. The families are located around 20 minutes by bus from the schools.

Local coordinator

During the stay in Red Deer, the student benefits from the help and support of the adviser for international students. This person answers questions, provides the necessary assistance and becomes the main point of contact during the stay.

The student is encouraged to contact them if needed, so as not to be left alone with a school, practical or personal question.

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Red Deer Public Schools District in Alberta

Red Deer Public Schools District: a school environment on a human scale in Alberta.

Outdoor activities and student life in Red Deer

Activities, the outdoors and student life around Red Deer.

Hunting Hills High School in Red Deer
Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School in Red Deer

Indicative prices 2026-27

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

  • 1 school year, early September - late June: 20 685 €
  • 1 school semester, late August/early September - late January, or early February - late June: 12 225 €

What is included

  • Return flight from Brussels or Paris, up to 1 200 €.
  • Selection of the secondary school and tuition fees.
  • Accommodation in a single room, on 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.

What is not included

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

Preparing a High School project in Red Deer

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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