Question on child attending elementary school in Ontario before PR status

[Buffy2323]

Hi all, I am looking for some information on enrolling my son in school. Here is my story.

I am currently applying for PR status. I got married to a Canadian Citizen in November (I am a US citizen). We applied in February 2013 and have already received Sponsorship approval. Since it looks like everything is moving in record time, I am trying to get everything in order for our move. My dilemma is that I am planning to move in the beginning of August to Ontario (Durham region). My lease is up at the end of July and I can't lock into another year lease. My son is just finishing up the 5th grade and I am hoping to move up and get him started in his 6th grade year at the beginning of the new school year to avoid transition problems for him. It will be hard enough moving to another country but to start school in the middle of year would be even more difficult. I have some concerns though.

1.) When I read the Durham School Board website, it says there is a $12,200 tuition fee for attending elementary school!!!! I cannot imagine paying that fee and I am seriously hoping that by showing proof of our PR status being in process that the fee will be waived.

2.) Do we need to have a study permit for him to start school if we don't have PR status by the time the school year starts?

I know many people are doing Inland Applications so I know there have to be some parents out there who have gone through the same thing. I would REALLY appreciate any tips, input, etc. any of you have for me. I have a phone call into the school board hoping to get more information but no one has called me back yet and I'm starting to really stress out.

Thanks everyone!!

 

[scylla]

1.) When I read the Durham School Board website, it says there is a $12,200 tuition fee for attending elementary school!!!! I cannot imagine paying that fee and I am seriously hoping that by showing proof of our PR status being in process that the fee will be waived.

Based on the various stories I've read here...

Technically you should pay the tuition fee since you son isn't yet a PR. However individual schools will sometimes waive the fee. I would start contacting individuals schools now to see if you can find one in your area that is willing to waive the fee. Good luck!

 

[Buffy2323]

Based on the various stories I've read here...

Technically you should pay the tuition fee since you son isn't yet a PR. However individual schools will sometimes waive the fee. I would start contacting individuals schools now to see if you can find one in your area that is willing to waive the fee. Good luck!

Thanks scylla, not what I was hoping to hear. I cannot afford $12,200 for tuition, so that is absolutely out of the question. If I cannot come before then I am not sure what I will do. I have no place to live and I am not sure where to proceed. Ugh!!

I have contacted the school board but still no answer back from them. I have called twice and emailed as well. The wait is killing me.

 

[scylla]

Thanks scylla, not what I was hoping to hear. I cannot afford $12,200 for tuition, so that is absolutely out of the question. If I cannot come before then I am not sure what I will do. I have no place to live and I am not sure where to proceed. Ugh!!

I have contacted the school board but still no answer back from them. I have called twice and emailed as well. The wait is killing me.

You need to contact individual schools - not the school board. All of the "fee waived" stories I remember reading here involved contacting individual schools to see what they could do. The school board will probably just point you back to the rules.

 

[Buffy2323]

You need to contact individual schools - not the school board. All of the "fee waived" stories I remember reading here involved contacting individual schools to see what they could do. The school board will probably just point you back to the rules.

Ohhhhhh ok, thanks! I am not even 100% sure which school my son would attend. I would assume the one closest to where we will be living but I don't know for sure. It is so hard to get information when I am not there to physically GO to the schools and talk to people.

 

[Buffy2323]

I would love to hear anyone else's experiences with this. Any/all input is welcome.