Albert College: an overview of Canada's oldest boarding school
Albert College is an independent boarding and day school in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1857, it is Canada's oldest co-educational boarding and day school. This overview covers what an international family needs before shortlisting the school: what it teaches, which grades international boarders join, what a year costs and how to apply.
What kind of school Albert College is
Albert College is a non-denominational independent school running from Pre-K to Grade 12. International students may board from Grades 7 to 12. Its defining feature is scale: students get direct support from teachers, academic advisors and residence staff rather than navigating a school of several thousand.
The programme is built around the Five A's — Academics, Arts, Athletics, Active Citizenship and Adventure. The structure signals the school's stance: students are expected to take part beyond the classroom, not only to post grades.
Location: Belleville, Ontario
Belleville is a mid-sized city in eastern Ontario, on the Toronto–Ottawa corridor. Two practical consequences: living costs around the school are lower than central Toronto, and both major cities stay within reach.
Programmes and qualification
International boarding, Grades 7–8
Middle School on the Ontario curriculum, boarding on campus. It suits students entering the Canadian system early, settling into an English environment before the grades that count for university admission.
International boarding, Grades 9–12
Senior School on the Ontario curriculum, leading to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), recognised by Canadian universities and many institutions abroad. Intake is open for 2026–2027.
ESL and ESL Summer School
The school runs ESL support, including English preparation and assessment for international students, plus a three-week ESL Summer School for ages 12–18 carrying Ontario credit — a way to test the environment before committing to a full year. Summer fees are not publicly listed; contact M2W for the current schedule.
Tuition, 2026–2027
Figures are in CAD, taken from the school's official tuition page and reconfirmed on 27 July 2026. M2W does not auto-convert to VND.
| Item | Grades 7–8 | Grades 9–12 |
|---|---|---|
| International boarding tuition (per year) | CAD 86,300 | CAD 94,000 |
| Registration fee (one-off, new students) | CAD 5,000 | CAD 5,000 |
| Expense advance (one-off) | CAD 3,000 | CAD 3,000 |
| ESL (if applicable, per year) | CAD 2,500 | CAD 3,000 |
Boarding tuition covers room, board and many school-run activities. Personal costs — flights, insurance, spending money, some optional trips — sit outside these figures.
Boarding life
The school hosts over 100 international boarding students, and most boarding rooms are single rooms. For a student living away from home for the first time, that combination matters: private space to study and rest, inside a supervised community.
Per figures published by the school, 100% of graduates continue to post-secondary study. M2W reports this as the school's own figure, not an independent survey.
Who should consider Albert College
- Families aiming for Canadian secondary school from Grade 7–9, with time to complete the OSSD and build an activities record.
- Students who need a small, closely supervised setting rather than a large public school.
- Students still building English — ESL runs in-house, so no separate language course elsewhere first.
If the budget or the study level is different, browse the Canada listings on M2W Edu.
Applying through M2W
Albert College is an official recruitment partner of M2W. The usual sequence:
- Open an M2W Edu account and start an application file.
- Pick the programme — Grades 9–12 or Grades 7–8.
- M2W reviews the file and reconfirms requirements, tuition and intake with the school before submitting.
- Track progress inside your account.
Entry requirements (transcripts, English certificates, interviews) vary by grade and intake, so M2W confirms them case by case with the school rather than publishing one blanket standard.
FAQ
From which grade does Albert College accept international students? Grades 7 to 12, as boarders.
What does a year cost? International boarding tuition of CAD 86,300 (Grades 7–8) or CAD 94,000 (Grades 9–12) per year, plus a one-off CAD 5,000 registration fee and CAD 3,000 expense advance.
Can students with limited English enrol? The school runs ESL with an assessment component; ESL costs CAD 2,500–3,000 per year where it applies.
What qualification do graduates receive? The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).
Information, tuition and intakes may change. M2W reconfirms with the school before any application is submitted. Fees are listed in CAD; no automatic VND conversion. Source: albertcollege.ca — Tuition, reconfirmed 27 July 2026.