Edmonton Public Schools: Alberta public schooling alongside Canadian students
Edmonton Public Schools (EPSB) is a large public school division in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. What sets its international programme apart is one word: integration. Students do not sit in a separate international stream — they join mainstream classes with Canadian students under the Alberta curriculum.
This overview answers the four questions families ask first: what a year costs, which school the student attends, what happens if their English is still developing, and how the application runs.
The cost of a year: CAD 14,300, bundled
This is the easiest figure to compare, because EPSB publishes a total school fee rather than leaving families to add up parts.
| Item | Full year 2026–2027 | One semester |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | CAD 13,500 | CAD 6,750 |
| Medical insurance | CAD 550 | CAD 300 |
| Total school fees | CAD 14,300 | CAD 7,300 |
| Application fee (one-off) | CAD 250 | CAD 250 |
That is what goes to the school. Flights, accommodation, food and personal spending sit outside it — M2W itemises those during the application so families see the real total, not just tuition.
What students study, and the qualification
Students follow the Alberta provincial curriculum: English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Sciences, Fine Arts, and Career and Technology Studies. The pathway leads to the Alberta High School Diploma.
Because classes are mainstream, the English environment is the real thing all day, not a scaled-down international classroom. In exchange, students need enough English to keep up — which is what the support below is for.
Still building English: EAL runs inside the mainstream programme
EPSB provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) at every level. One point to get right: EAL is not a separate course outside class — students stay in the mainstream programme, are assessed, and receive support at the matching level.
EAL costs are not published as a fixed figure; M2W confirms them with EPSB case by case.
Edmonton Public Schools assigns the school and grade — know this upfront
This is the biggest difference between a public school division and a named private school: families do not choose the school. EPSB decides the receiving school and grade based on age, home address, English level and remaining capacity.
M2W says this at the start rather than letting a family expect otherwise and be disappointed late. Nobody — M2W included — can promise a specific school before EPSB confirms it.
Two intakes: September and February
The programme is open for 2026–2027 and accepts both full-year and single-semester students, entering in September 2026 or February 2027. A single semester is a sensible way to test the environment before committing to a longer stay.
Who this suits
- Families who want public schooling — lower cost than private boarding — with a Canadian secondary qualification.
- Students comfortable in a fully integrated environment, without a separate international class.
- Families flexible about which school within the EPSB system.
If knowing the exact school and having a boarding environment matters, a private school fits better — see other options in Canada on M2W Edu.
Applying through M2W
M2W works at the application support level for this programme (not as an exclusive recruitment agent), and does exactly that job:
- Open an M2W Edu account and start an application file.
- Choose the International Student Program and the academic year.
- M2W reviews the file and reconfirms requirements, fees and intake with EPSB before submitting.
- Track progress inside your account; the school placement comes back from EPSB.
FAQ
What does a year cost? CAD 14,300 in total school fees (CAD 13,500 tuition + CAD 550 insurance), plus a one-off CAD 250 application fee.
Can a student come for one semester? Yes — CAD 7,300, entering September 2026 or February 2027.
Can the family pick the school? No. EPSB assigns it by age, address, English level and capacity.
Can students apply with limited English? Yes. EAL supports every level and runs inside the mainstream programme after an assessment.
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: internationalprograms.epsb.ca, reconfirmed 28 July 2026.