There are a total of 34 schools in the Cowichan School District educating approximately 9,500 K-12 students. 21 are elementary schools, 4 middle schools and 4 regular secondary schools. The district also operates 5 alternate schools as well as 2 adult education facilities.
The Cowichan Valley School District is located on southern Vancouver Island close to Victoria and a ferry trip away from Vancouver. Vancouver Island has Canada's warmest climate and the Cowichan area consists of the city of Duncan and several smaller communities where international students can feel safe and welcomed.
With over ten years of experience in international education the Cowichan Valley School District welcomes students from around the world in all four of its excellent and well-equipped secondary schools. Each school has an ESL classroom and a qualified ESL teacher who can assist the students with learning English and support the students in completing other courses required for BC graduation.
All schools offer instruction in a variety of Fine Arts and Technology skills. There are several well-equipped, modern computer labs and all the required academic courses for BC graduation are taught. The district has developed extensive experience and expertise in the area of ESL, including computer-assisted instruction in some of the schools.
All international students are required to live with homestay families. Homestay families have been carefully screened, visited and prepared for hosting an overseas student. Students are placed with homestay families based on their school location and their homestay preferences as expressed on the application form. Students have three opportunities every year to move if there are any problems with their homestay placement.
All new students receive an extensive orientation program and the support of a Homestay Manager, the Program Coordinator and the ESL teacher in the school, who also acts as a counsellor.
All schools offer the full range of competitive sports for secondary students as well as a wide variety of intermural sports opportunities. Sports featured in our schools are volleyball, basketball, badminton, soccer, field hockey, rugby and many others.
The clubs vary from school to school but most schools have some of band, choir, drama, leadership, peer counselling, yearbook and student council.
Each school has several complete computer labs. International students have access to the Internet and e-mail.
Three of the schools have music and band rooms and two have well-equipped theatres. All of the schools present large musical productions and plays every year.
Cowichan Valley School District has two sister schools in Japan who regularly send students to study in the international student program. Two of the schools have additional sister-school agreements allowing for exchanges. The district also supports student involvement in Rotary exchange and other recognized exchange programs.
Tours of all schools or specific schools can be arranged by contacting the Program Coordinator.
