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York Region District School Board

Terms & Conditions of Participation

Please note: the Terms & Conditions of Participation (Legal Agreement) are updated on December 2025. Parents must accept by signing the newest version in order for their child's application to proceed to the next step in the application process.

 

Guiding Principles

  • These Terms and Conditions set out the roles and responsibilities of Parents, International Student (“Student”), Custodians and the York Region District School Board (“Board/YRDSB”) in respect of the International Education Program (“Program”). To implement and support these Terms and Conditions, it is the expectation of the YRDSB that Parents maintain regular communication with the Student, Custodian, and the Host Family (if applicable) to ensure the Student is adjusting to the International Education Program, is in good health and is progressing academically.
  • All Parents, Custodians and Students who are over 18 years old must agree and adhere to these Terms and Conditions of Participation to be admitted. Adherence is required for the student to remain eligible for enrollment in the International Education Program for the duration of the school year to which these Terms and Conditions apply.
  • The Education Act, RSO 1990, c. E-2, does not grant Student’s eligibility for attendance at Ontario schools. Eligibility for attendance is determined by the YRDSB and is set out in these Terms and Conditions and associated International Education Program documents, all of which together form the Application.

 

Student Code of Behaviour

  • Students must comply with all York Region District School Board policies and procedures, including the Student Code of Behaviour. Failure to follow YRDSB policies and procedures and Student Code of Behaviour may result in demission from the Program.

 

IRCC Status – Study Permit

  • International Students are responsible for obtaining a Study Permit and for adhering to the conditions of the Study Permit. Failure to do so may result in demission from the Program.

 

Custodianship

  • Parents are responsible for the assignment of a Custodian to the students for the entire period of study, regardless of the student’s age.
    • Students under the age of 18 must have a Custodian assigned who is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident. YRDSB requires the Custodian to be over the age of 25 years. YRDSB also requires the Custodian to reside within the Greater Toronto Area to ensure they can meet their obligations as Custodian of the Student.
  • Assigning custodianship responsibility gives the Custodian in Canada permission to act in place of a Parent in their absence.
  • The Parent(s) must submit a properly completed and notarized Custodian Declaration Form for each student. The Parent(s) completes, signs and notarizes the second page, and the Custodian in Canada completes, signs and notarizes the first page. The Custodian Declaration Form is available on the IRCC website.
  • If the Custodian, or the living arrangements of the Student changes, the Custodian Declaration Form must be updated and re-submitted. The original custodian will remain in place until a replacement is identified and the two Custodian Declaration forms are submitted to confirm a change in responsibility.
  • The Admissions Office must receive a properly completed Custodian Declaration Form before the Letter of Acceptance will be issued.

 

Living Accommodations

  • Students must reside in a home environment, supervised by an adult throughout the period of study, regardless of the Student’s age. The following specific requirements apply:
    • JK & SK students must live with a parent
    • Gr 1 to Gr 8 students must live with a parent or a relative as approved by International Education Services
    • Gr 9 to Gr 12 students must reside with a parent, relative or family friend who is an adult over the age of 25, as approved by International Education Service
    • Gr 9 to Gr 12 students who are applying to Homestay programs may only apply to a YRDSB authorized homestay provider
    • In the event a student is found not living in an acceptable arrangement, parents must remedy the situation within 24 hours, or the student will be demitted from the Program. Alternatively, the custodian must take physical custody of the student

 

Medical Information

  • The Parent(s) shall provide medical and health information to the Board. Providing false or inaccurate medical or health information or non-disclosure of medical or health conditions or prescription medications may result in demission from the Program.

 

Program Expectations

  • The York Region District School Board offers Students the Program that includes an academic program comprised of a combination of courses and related activities for the achievement of learning outcomes, by grade level expectation, as defined by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
  • International Students are not eligible for other specialized Board programs or services, including those that require additional resources beyond the International Student Program fees, such as Special Education programming or services, the French Immersion Program, the International Baccalaureate Program, and the Sports Program at Bill Crothers Secondary School.
  • If it becomes apparent that a student requires specialized services not included in the International Education Program, for example, changes made to the grade-level curriculum expectations, Special Education programs or services, or an Individual Education Plan (IEP), Behaviour Management or Safety Plan, they may be demitted from the Program.
  • Students must have achieved an overall academic average of 65% to be considered for admission and must maintain an academic average of 65% while attending a YRDSB school to be eligible for enrollment renewal in the Program.
  • Students must attend school regularly. Any pattern of unauthorized absences or patterns of poor attendance may result in demission from the Program.
  • Students attending secondary school must maintain a full-time timetable.
  • Any Student who reaches 18 years of age while participating in the Program must provide consent to share information with their Parent/Custodian by signing a Consent for Information Sharing - Students at the Age of Majority Form in order to remain in the Program.
  • Students are discouraged from taking courses outside of YRDSB to obtain a credit unless the course is not offered in their school or cannot be accommodated on their timetable. The course must be pre-approved by the YRDSB school guidance counsellor.
  • The Board may reassess student eligibility annually upon enrolment renewal.

 

Deferral of Enrolment

  • Students who are admitted to the Program, may be approved for a one semester deferral if the Study Permit is in progress before the school start date indicated in the Letter of Acceptance. Granting an initial or any subsequent deferral request is on a case-by-case basis and is at the sole discretion of the YRDSB.
  • Requests will be considered only if the Study Permit Application was submitted within two weeks of the issuance date of the Letter of Acceptance and no decision is rendered by IRCC before the expiry date indicated in the Letter of Acceptance (September 15 or February 15), depending on the start of the enrolment period

 

Refund Policy

  • The parent(s) agrees and understands that the Refund Policy published online applies.
  • The parent agrees and understands that refunds will NOT be considered if the student is demitted for any reason, other than as set out in the Refund Policy.

 

Waiver and other Terms

Parents/Guardians:

  • waive, release and absolve of any claims or potential claims related to the Program and the student’s attendance and participation in the Program and agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless YRDSB, their officers, directors, trustees, employees, agents and independent service providers from any and all claims or potential claims for liability for any or all losses and damages (including but not limited to the loss or theft of students' money and the damage, loss or theft of students' personal belongings), personal injuries, or death in any court or tribunal in Ontario or any other jurisdiction.
  • hereby agree not to hold the York Region District School Board liable for losses/expenses they may incur as a result of the application of these Terms and Conditions and/or should the Board be unable to provide education services, including Board labour disputes, inclement weather conditions or other causes beyond the Board’s control.
  • hereby agree that these Terms and Conditions are governed by the Law of Ontario and that any and all disputes related to the Terms and Conditions, or the Program shall be decided solely and exclusively in courts and/or tribunals in Ontario, Canada.
  • declare that the information I/we have provided in the Application package is complete, accurate and true and to the best of our knowledge.
  • have read and agree to comply with the conditions outlined in the Application, the Terms and Conditions, the Deferral and Refund Policies.
  • declare that specialized programs/services such as Special Education are not part of the International Education Program and are not required.
  • have read, acknowledge and agree to all the policies, procedures and guidelines pertaining to school admissions at YRDSB schools.
  • If these Terms and Conditions are executed by a student over the age of 18, the Student agrees and understands that references to “Parents” apply to them.