Toronto District School Board
Skip to main content

How To Apply

Application Process

 

Step 1: Students submit application form, application fee, copy of passport /birth certificate, recent 2-year official transcripts and recommendation letter through the online application portal for evaluation: https://tisp.tdsb.on.ca/ Please note all documents must be in PDF format.

How to Upload Mandatory Documents

All applications must be submitted through the online portal and our office no longer accepts hard copies or applications via email.

Step 2: Successful applicants receive Conditional Offer of Acceptance (COA). Students pay tuition fee and submit custodianship documents.
Step 3: Successful applicants receive Official Letter of Acceptance (OLA) and apply for a Study Permit and Visa to Canada.
Step 4: Students report to the TDSB with passport, study permit, newcomer profile and other missing documents. Medical insurance coverage shall be activated upon reporting.

Placement decisions are based on our evaluation of students’ academic standing and space availability at the requested TDSB schools. At any time during the application process, the International Students and Admissions Office may request verification of submitted documents and/or the information contained therein.

International students are not eligible to apply for specialized programs (e.g. Special Education, French Immersion, the International Baccalaureate Program, and regional arts and sports programs). All regular-track, in-school programs are open to them.

Application Timelines

September Intake: December 1 – April 30

February Intake: July 1 – October 31

WARNING:

The International Students and Admissions Office has been made aware of several scams/frauds that are targeting international students. These scams involve sending fraudulent Letters of Acceptance/Invoices that look like they are from TDSB. If you have any concerns about whether a Letter of Acceptance is real, or whether you should pay an invoice, please feel free to connect with us at StudyToronto@tdsb.on.ca or 416-395-8120.

Document Check List

The following documents are mandatory at time of submitting the application:

  1. Application Form (Must be submitted through the online application portal)
  2. Copy of passport (photo page) or Birth Certificate
  3. Copy of Completed, Signed and Dated Letter of Recommendation (Please download from our website)
  4. Copy of Most recent two-year transcripts or school report cards (certified or notarized)

The following documents must be submitted to ISAO before July 1 for September Entry and December 1 for February Entry or during the Reporting Stage:

  1. Copy of Custodian Declaration Form (Parents) (Notarized)
  2. Copy Custodian Declaration Form (Custodian) (Notarized)
  3. Proof of Custodian’s Status in Canada (Copy of Passport, Citizenship or Permanent Resident Card)
  4. Copies of two documents showing proof of address (for elementary students only)

At time of Reporting:

  1. Copy of Passport
  2. Copy of Valid Study Permit
  3. Two copies of Newcomer Profile
  4. Copy of Immunization Records (Translated into English and certified)

Roles and Responsibilities of Custodians

A responsible and reliable custodian is very important for international students, who are under the age of 18 and not accompanied by their parent, to have a safe and successful learning experience while they are studying at the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).

The TDSB requires that a custodian be 25 years of age or older and a Canadian citizen or permeant resident of Canada. If the international student applicant will be in the care of a custodian, the student’s parent should read the following roles and responsibilities of a custodian carefully in order to arrange for the best care for their child.

The custodian, on behalf of the parents, is responsible for making the necessary arrangements for the care and support for the student while she/he is studying in Canada. The custodian should:

  • Be the official contact for the Toronto International Student Programs (TISP) and the TDSB school with regards to all matters involving the international student;
  • Make sure that the student renews with the International Students and Admissions Office and make the tuition fee payment on time;
  • Make sure that the student complete English and Math assessment before reporting to the TDSB;
  • Bring the student to school with required documentation for school registration and to complete /sign all appropriate documents required by school;
  • Assist the student with settlement needs such as opening a bank account, buying a cell phone, how to use public transit and etc.;
  • Provide consent as needed by the school for academic programs and activities after communicating with parents and receiving their consent.
  • Attend parentteacher interviews and communicate with parents afterwards.
  • Maintain correct custodian contact information with the school and the International Students and Admissions Office;
  • Inform the school and the International Students and Admissions Office immediately if any change is made to the student’s homestay or custodianship arrangement.
  • If temporarily away from the City of Toronto, for example travelling, arrange for an emergency contact person and provide the emergency contact information to the school and the International Students and Admissions Office;
  • Monitor the student’s attendance record, report student absences to the school following school procedures, and communicate student’s absences to parents in a timely manner;
  • Send student’s preliminary, midterm and final reports to parents and communicate among the school, the International Students and Admissions Office and parents/students regarding any related concerns and/or follow-up;
  • Assist the student with solving any behavioral, social, emotional and medical concerns and communicate with the school, student, parents and the International Students and Admissions Office;
  • Assist the student with solving homestay issues and communicate with parents, schools and the International Education Office; and
  • Respond in a timely fashion to requests/phone calls from the school and the International Students and Admissions Office in order to best ensure the student’s safety.