Welcome to Windsor!
At the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB), we invite students from all over the world to experience life and learning in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
International Students Program
View our Agent and Family Manual, which provides valuable information about our school district, processes, expectations, forms and requirements as part of the International Students Program.
Please refer to the manual and review its contents before registering for the International Students Program. We encourage agents and families to regularly keep in touch with us and your student's host family. We are available to answer any questions you may have at any stage of the process.
Apply to GECDSB
International students, their families and agents can apply online for schooling with GECDSB and make a payment online.
Host families and your home in Canada
Learn more about host families and homes for international students with our MLI Homestay program.
Travel to Canada
International Students, their families and agents are responsible for understanding Canada’s travel requirements and restrictions.
Student stories
View our music video, 'Discover Me', which tells the story of a valedictorian student's journey, as she reflects on her school years and looks to the future and next pathway.
View more stories from GECDSB international students as they describe their educational experience at our schools (complete with subtitles for Chinese students).
Top 10 reasons to study at Greater Essex!
- Windsor is a mid-sized Canadian city very well-suited to students living away from home for the first time.
- Windsor has all the amenities of a large city, including an international airport and amazing entertainment, recreation, academic and cultural opportunities, plus easy access to the U.S.
- Windsor has a relatively low cost of living.
- The city is home to four of the safest municipalities in Canada.
- Windsor has a diverse mix of international students from over 20 countries.
- We have a developing program with great capacity to welcome international students.
- Our right-sized schools allow for personal attention, care and opportunity.
- Windsor is multicultural, with a long history of welcoming newcomers.
- Windsor's temperate climate has mild winters, beautiful spring times, hot summers and stunning autumn colours.
- We have choice and opportunity, with many secondary schools, four ESL programs, two IB Diploma Programmes, one school for the creative arts, and many extracurricular activities at all schools.