Montreal international school fees range from CAD $16,100 to $29,825+ per year depending on whether you choose a public school board or a private school. This guide covers the three main options available through ApplyBoard, plus a realistic family budget for living in Montreal in 2026.
If you are a parent planning to relocate to Montreal, or a family researching K-12 options alongside a post-secondary application, this is the guide for you. All three institutions below accept international students and are available through ApplyBoard.
Note: All fees on this page are in Canadian dollars (CAD). Exchange rates vary. Confirm the latest fees directly with each institution before applying, as tuition is reviewed annually.
Montreal international school options for families
Montreal offers three distinct pathways for international K-12 students. Each one suits a different budget, grade level, and family goal.
LBPSB
Quebec's largest English public school board. Most affordable option. Elementary and secondary programs for international students.
Kells Academy
Private K-12 day school in Montreal since 1978. Small classes, individual attention, and a strong university pathway program.
BLI Canada
English and French language programs for students of all ages. Ideal as a language preparation pathway before entering a Canadian school.
Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB): public school fees 2026-2027
The Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB) is Quebec's largest English public school board. It operates over 30 elementary and secondary schools across the West Island of Montreal and surrounding areas. For international students, LBPSB offers one of the most affordable tuition options in the city.
Fees below are taken directly from the official LBPSB 2026-2027 International Secondary School Price List.
Additional optional costs include a guardianship or custodianship fee of $1,500 CAD and mandatory English as a Secondary Language (ESL) courses at $1,500 CAD if required after an English proficiency assessment. Homestay accommodation through LBPSB's approved providers (LAMIMO or MS Homestays) is available separately.
Note: These fees are for secondary school programs and are valid July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Elementary school fees are separate.
Kells Academy: private K-12 school fees 2026-2027
Kells Academy is a private, co-educational K-12 school in Montreal, founded in 1978. It serves students from kindergarten to grade 12 across three campuses on De Maisonneuve West. Kells is known for its small class sizes, individualized learning approach, and strong university placement record. Students graduate with either the Quebec Secondary School Diploma or the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), which is accepted by universities across North America and Europe.
Fees below are for the Grade 12 international program for 2026-2027, provided by Kells Academy. Confirm the latest fees at kells.ca before applying.
Kells also offers homestay accommodation at $1,900 CAD per month, with a $200 placement fee and a $9,500 deposit due upon acceptance. Residence options run from $1,650 per month (triple room) to $2,300 per month (single room), all including a furnished room with three meals per day. Sibling discounts are available: 10% for a second child, 15% for a third, and 20% for a fourth or more.
Disclaimer: The Kells fees above are for the Grade 12 international program for 2026-2027. Fees for grades K-11 are set separately and reviewed annually. Confirm current fees for your child's grade directly at kells.ca before applying.
BLI Canada: language and pathway programs
BLI Canada (Bouchereau Lingua International) is a language school in downtown Montreal that has been operating since 1976. It offers English and French immersion programs for students of all ages, from junior summer camps to adult academic programs. BLI is not a traditional K-12 school, but it is a strong option for families who want their child to build English or French skills before or alongside entering a Canadian school.
BLI programs are available year-round and range from short intensive courses to multi-month enrollments. Program fees vary by course type and duration.
Note: BLI is a language school, not a K-12 academic institution. It does not issue a high school diploma. If your child needs a Canadian secondary school credential, LBPSB or Kells Academy are the appropriate options.
Monthly cost of living for a family in Montreal
Montreal is significantly cheaper than Canada's two most expensive cities. According to Numbeo, the overall cost of living including rent in Montreal is 15.2% lower than Toronto and 22.9% lower than Vancouver. Rent alone is 24% lower than Toronto and 36.8% lower than Vancouver, which for a family in a three-bedroom apartment can mean saving CAD $800 to $1,500 per month on housing alone. For a major bilingual city with strong K-12 schools and direct access to world-ranked universities, that is a meaningful difference.
According to Numbeo's cost of living data for Montreal, the estimated monthly costs for a family of four are approximately CAD $4,986, excluding rent. Rent for a three-bedroom apartment adds CAD $2,242 to $2,963 per month depending on neighbourhood. That puts a realistic all-in monthly total at roughly CAD $7,250 to $7,974 before school fees.
The table below breaks down the main expense categories using Numbeo's April 2026 figures. All amounts are in Canadian dollars.
Source: Numbeo Cost of Living in Montreal. Individual costs vary by lifestyle, neighbourhood, and family size. Check current rental listings on platforms such as Kijiji or Zumper for the most up-to-date rent prices in your target neighbourhood, as rental markets change faster than crowdsourced data.
School fees are on top of these monthly living costs. With rent 24% lower than Toronto and 36.8% lower than Vancouver, the savings on accommodation alone can offset a significant portion of annual school fees for many families.
Tip! Montreal is a bilingual city. Living there gives your child natural daily exposure to both English and French, which is a genuine advantage for language development and for meeting Quebec school board requirements.
Study permit and CAQ requirements for K-12 students in Montreal
All international students studying in Quebec need two documents before they can start school: a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) and a Canadian study permit.
- CAQ (Quebec Acceptance Certificate): Issued by the Quebec government. Required before you apply for a study permit. Apply through the Quebec immigration portal (Arrima) as early as possible, as processing times vary.
- Study permit: Issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Required if the program is longer than six months. You apply for this after receiving your CAQ.
- Custodianship declaration: Required for students under 17 to 19 years old (the exact age depends on the province) who will not be living with a parent. Your school or a guardianship service can assist with this.
Warning! Quebec has its own immigration process that is separate from the rest of Canada. You must apply for the CAQ first, then the study permit. Applying in the wrong order will delay your child's start date.
All LBPSB and Kells Academy international programs are at Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), meaning they are approved to host international students and accept study permits.
Frequently asked questions
Montreal international school fees range from CAD $16,100 per year at LBPSB (public school board, secondary) to approximately $29,825 at Kells Academy (private, Grade 12, 2026-2027). Fees vary by school, grade level, and program length.
According to Numbeo's cost of living data for Montreal, a family of four spends approximately CAD $4,986 per month excluding rent. A three-bedroom apartment adds CAD $2,242 to $2,963 per month, bringing the estimated total to roughly CAD $7,228 to $7,949 before school fees.
Yes, if the program is longer than six months. Your child also needs a Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) before applying for the study permit. Apply for the CAQ first through the Quebec government's immigration portal.
LBPSB stands for Lester B. Pearson School Board. It is Quebec's largest English public school board, located on the West Island of Montreal. It offers elementary and secondary programs to international students at some of the most affordable tuition rates in the city.
Montreal offers families a strong combination of bilingual K-12 schools, a well-connected public transit system, and living costs that are meaningfully lower than Toronto or Vancouver. Whether you choose the affordability of LBPSB, the individualized approach of Kells Academy, or a language pathway through BLI, ApplyBoard is here to help your family take the next step.
Find Montreal schools on ApplyBoard
Browse LBPSB, Kells Academy, and BLI Canada programs and start your child's Canadian school application today.