Study in Canada from the USA: Private High School, 1 Hour From the Border
USCA Academy is a private international high school in Mississauga, Ontario, a short drive from the New York and Michigan borders and 1.2 km from the University of Toronto Mississauga. American families get a smaller campus, a lower price tag than most US private boarding schools, and a straightforward study permit process, without a long-haul flight.
Quick answer: how does a student from the USA study in Canada?
A student from the United States needs a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and a study permit through IRCC for any program longer than six months. US citizens do not need a visitor visa or an eTA to enter Canada, and biometrics can often be given at a location inside the US, so the process is more straightforward than for most other countries. USCA Academy is a licensed DLI and Ontario Ministry inspected private school (BSID #881623) that provides the acceptance letter, walks families through the permit application, and arranges boarding or homestay housing.
Why American Families Choose a Canadian High School Near the Border
For a US family, “study abroad” usually means a long flight, a big time difference, and a school that feels far out of reach if something goes wrong. Mississauga is not that. It is a short drive from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Detroit, in the same time zone as most of the eastern and central US, and close enough that a parent can visit on a weekend rather than plan a trip a year in advance.
Cost is the other piece. Many private and boarding schools in the US charge well past 60,000 USD a year. Because tuition here is billed in Canadian dollars, American families are often paying less than half that for a comparable small-class, university-track education, without giving up supervision, ESL support if needed, or a clear path into a Canadian or US university afterward.
A drive, not a flight
Mississauga is within driving distance of much of the northeastern and midwestern US, so weekend visits and holidays don’t require an airport.
Currency works in your favor
Tuition is billed in CAD, which has historically stretched further for families paying in US dollars, often well under what comparable US private schools charge.
A calmer, smaller campus
Classes of 5 to 15 students and 24/7 supervision give families a structured, closely supervised alternative to a large public high school.
99%
University acceptance rate for USCA Academy graduates, applying to both Canadian and US universities.
A Campus Already Familiar With USA Students
- Located in Mississauga's Square One area, 1.2 km from University of Toronto Mississauga
- Class sizes of 5 to 15 students, small enough that teachers notice when a student is struggling
- On-campus boarding or Canadian homestay, both supervised and vetted for international students
- Under 90 minutes from Toronto Pearson International Airport for families flying in from further afield
- Four intakes a year (September, November, February, April, July), so a mid-year US school transfer doesn't cost a full year
What We Take Care Of, From the Border to Graduation
Before You Arrive
- Official Letter of Acceptance for your study permit application
- Guidance through IRCC's study permit process, including the Provincial Attestation Letter most applicants now need
- Proof of funds and GIC documentation review
- Boarding or homestay placement arranged before departure
- Airport pickup on arrival in Toronto
During Your Studies
- Small classes with teachers who track each student's progress individually
- ESL support available for students who need it, without it being assumed for every American applicant
- 24/7 supervision and safety on campus
- Cultural integration activities and a student body from 100+ countries
For University Applications
- OUAC application guidance for Canadian universities, essays, and deadline tracking
- Support with Common App applications for students planning to apply back to US universities
- Scholarship application support
Seats for Each Intake Are Limited
Talk to our admissions team about your child’s transcript, current school, and the intake that fits your timeline from the US, before spots for September fill up.
What Families Are Saying
“The teachers at this school are great. They really care if students would get a grasp of the subjects. I had courses with Mr. Oleg, Ms. Jen and Evren and to be honest, nowhere I could find these teachers!! I also wanted to thank Mr. Jackie as the principal for all his management and care for his international and local students. When I moved to Canada, he helped me a lot with everything and also passed the hardest step in my life. I will never forget his help and care!”
Ramon M. (Student, Winner of 100k scholarship of UT)
Leo S. (Parent)
Study Permit Basics for Students Coming From the USA (2026)
American citizens do not need a visa or an eTA to enter Canada. That does not remove the requirement for a study permit if the program runs longer than six months, which a full high school year does. The process is generally more straightforward than for most other countries, since there is no separate travel authorization to coordinate alongside the permit.
What you need
- Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution (USCA Academy is a licensed DLI)
- A Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL), required for most study permit applicants since the introduction of Canada's international student cap
- Proof of funds of at least CAD 22,895 for one year of living costs outside Quebec, on top of first-year tuition
- Passport and photos; biometrics are often given without leaving the US
Good to know
- US students crossing by land at a border point can sometimes finalize their study permit at the port of entry rather than waiting for a mailed approval, depending on individual circumstances
- English testing is not required for US applicants; admission is based on transcripts and an interview
- Processing times vary through the year; we help you apply early enough for your intended intake
Transparent, All-Inclusive Pricing
Program |
Cost |
Included |
|---|---|---|
High School (Grades 9-12) |
$16,800 CAD/Year |
Tuition, textbooks, ESL support, university guidance |
Boarding |
Available at additional cost |
On-campus supervised housing |
Homestay |
Available at additional cost |
Vetted Canadian host family |
Insurance |
Available at additional cost |
International student health coverage |
Compare the Real Cost Side by Side
Get a personalized quote in USD so you can compare it directly against schools you’re already considering. If a student’s study visa is not approved, they can continue their studies through our online program at the same tuition rate.
Who Can Apply
- International students ages 13 to 18 (Grades 9 to 12), including students currently enrolled in a US public or private school
- Middle school graduates in the US ready to start Grade 9 in Canada
- Current high school students in the US transferring mid-program
- Students switching from a US state diploma track to the Canadian OSSD
- Mature students ages 19 to 22 for the university prep program
Frequently Asked Questions
No visa or eTA is required to enter Canada as a US citizen. A study permit is still required for a program longer than six months. Read more about the study permit process before you apply.
Our team reviews your transcript from your current US school and maps completed courses against Ontario requirements for the OSSD, so you know your grade placement before you commit.
Yes. Our university application guidance supports both the Canadian OUAC process and the Common App for students applying back to US schools.
Mississauga is a short drive from Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York, and from the Detroit-Windsor crossing, making weekend visits realistic for many families in the northeastern and midwestern US.
Students choose supervised on-campus boarding or a vetted Canadian homestay family. See our boarding and homestay options for details.
For most families, yes. Tuition here runs well below the 60,000 USD and up that many US private or boarding schools charge, while keeping small classes and full university application support.
How Our Program Works
School Year & Hours
September to June, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Location
Unit 2, 977 Pantera Dr, Mississauga, ON L4W 2W6, a 10-minute walk from Square One Shopping Centre.
What to Expect
- Daily instruction in core subjects, with a transcript review to confirm credit placement in the first week
- Weekly specialist classes (French, Art, Music, PE)
- Regular field trips and experiential learning
- Parent-teacher communication and progress reports
Your Canadian Education Starts Here
Get a free eligibility assessment and find out which intake date fits your timeline from the US.
- +1 (905) 232-0411 | info@uscaacademy.com