Columbia International College

Name

Columbia International College

Legal name

Columbia International College

Website

https://cic-totalcare.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Boarding Secondary Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

University-Led Summer/Winter Schools (Credit/Non-Credit) (EDAIAIAA)

Keywords

• Boarding high school
• International student education
• University preparatory programs
• ESL English programs
• Secondary school education

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamilton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Academic Tuition: Primary revenue from academic instruction fees for high school programs. Students pay for coursework in Grades 9-12 and university preparatory programs. Programs include 10-month (8 courses for $27,200 CAD) and Fast Track 6-month options (6 courses for $20,400 CAD).
2. Residence/Boarding: On-campus boarding fees providing 24/7 supervision and accommodation. Residence fees are $11,000 CAD for 10-month program or $6,600 CAD for Fast Track, including shared room accommodations.
3. Meal Plan: Dining services provided by Sodexo offering up to 26 meals per week. Meal plan costs $13,000 CAD for 10-month program or $7,800 CAD for Fast Track, covering weekdays and weekends/holidays.
4. Transportation: School bus services and discounted city bus passes available to students. Transportation fees are $1,500 CAD for 10-month program or $900 CAD for Fast Track.
5. Additional Services: Fees for internet services ($500-$375 CAD), leadership activities ($300-$225 CAD), and optional Total Care Plus program for students under 16 ($1,100 CAD per semester). New student miscellaneous fee account is $2,000 CAD.
6. Transcript Services: Transcript request services for alumni and former students with regular service (5 business days) and express service ($25 fee, 1 business day). Delivery options include email ($5), mail ($5), or courier ($28 domestic, $90 international).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Columbia International College is a private boarding high school in Hamilton, Ontario that delivers the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and University Preparatory programs to international students in Grades 7-12. Its core offering is the proprietary Total Care Education System®, a holistic four-pillar framework (Total Care Learning, Development, Living, and Communication) that combines academic instruction, residential boarding, dining, and 24/7 student welfare monitoring with university placement support. The school also sells related programs including ESL, IELTS/TOEFL prep, Summer Camp, and the Elite Pathway partnership with the University of Toronto.

Product overview

Columbia International College offers a unified Total Care Education System framework, a holistic boarding high school experience in Hamilton, Ontario. The core system comprises four integrated pillars: Total Care Learning (academic excellence and university readiness), Total Care Development (character and leadership building), Total Care Living (residence and daily living support), and Total Care Communication (parent engagement via EZ Report Cards). Additional offerings include Total Care Plus for students under 16, alongside academic programs spanning Grades 9-12, the Elite Pathway partnership with University of Toronto, Summer Camp, ESL and IELTS testing programs. University placement support is delivered through the University Placement Office, Dual Admissions, and Sure-To-University programs, all enabled through partnerships with over 10 Canadian universities including Toronto, Waterloo, McMaster, Western, Ottawa, and York.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• High School Program (Grades 9-12) Comprehensive Ontario secondary education program for Grades 9-12, with semester-based courses and credit system leading to OSSD, preparing students for university admission.
• Elite Pathway Partnership Program Exclusive partnership program with the University of Toronto offering guaranteed admission and specialized preparation for top-tier university placement.
• Summer Camp Cultural adventure program for students aged 12-17, offering 2-4 week immersive Canadian summer experience before long-term study commitment.
• Junior Middle School Program (Grades 7-8) Middle school program for grades 7-8 providing foundation academic preparation within the Total Care Education System.
• Fast Track Grade 12 Accelerated 6-month university preparatory program (January or Mid-May intake) for students to complete six courses required for university entry; total fee $36,300 CAD.
• ESL Program English as Second Language courses designed to help international students improve English proficiency and meet university admission requirements.
• IELTS/TOEFL/CAEL Testing Program Official IELTS testing and preparation program (also includes TOEFL and CAEL) for students to demonstrate English language proficiency for university admissions.
• University Placement Office (UPO) Dedicated counseling service that guides students through university applications, career planning, and securing opportunities at world-class universities through one-on-one counseling and workshops.
• Dual Admissions Program Guaranteed admission program partnering with designated universities (e.g., Brock, Cape Breton, D'Youville, Acadia) ensuring students secure spots in their chosen programs upon meeting requirements.
• Sure-To-University Program University admission assurance program with exclusive partnerships including McMaster, Ontario Tech, Ottawa, Toronto, Waterloo, and York universities, providing guaranteed admission pathways.
• Total Care Plus Enhanced support layer for students under 16 years old, providing additional supervision, structured routines, dedicated guardians, and personalized guidance for younger learners.
• Transcript Request Services Transcript request services for alumni and former students with regular (5 business days) and express ($25 fee, 1 business day) options and multiple delivery methods.

Quantifiable outcome

• Class of 2025 received $38 million in university entrance scholarships
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• University of TorontoflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC's most prestigious university partner. The University of Toronto has designated CIC as a 'Global Partner School' and recognizes CIC as the #1 feeder school worldwide. CIC offers an exclusive Elite Pathway partnership program with U of T. Graduates receive the most offers of admission from U of T globally, often with scholarships ($14.8 million in 2025).
• University of WaterloocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIC is Waterloo's largest source of students globally (not just international students but largest overall). The university actively recruits CIC graduates and provides exclusive scholarship opportunities. Andrea Jardin, Registrar (Admissions), explicitly states Waterloo is 'one of the largest feeder schools globally' from CIC.
• McMaster UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuaranteed admission partnership established in 2009 ensuring all qualifying CIC students receive admission to McMaster. The university 'admits many Columbia graduates into challenging programs helping them achieve educational and career goals.' Melissa Pool, University Registrar, confirms strong ongoing relationship.
• Western University (University of Western Ontario)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Partner providing exclusive Future Leaders Scholarships (5 x C$4,000 and 10 x C$2,000) to CIC graduates who meet academic criteria. Provides guaranteed admission and TOEFL/IELTS waivers.
• York UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Partner offering guaranteed admission, TOEFL/IELTS waivers (minimum 75% in CIC English), and exclusive scholarships to CIC graduates.
• University of OttawacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Partner providing guaranteed admission and TOEFL/IELTS waivers (minimum 75% in CIC English) to qualifying CIC graduates.
• Ontario Tech UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Partner offering guaranteed admission, TOEFL/IELTS waivers (minimum 70% in CIC English), and exclusive C$20,000 scholarship to qualifying CIC graduates.
• Sheridan CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner college offering TOEFL/IELTS waivers (minimum 75% in CIC English for Grade 11/12, 80% for Grade 12) to qualifying CIC graduates seeking college pathways.
• Mohawk CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner college offering TOEFL/IELTS waivers (minimum 65% in CIC English) to qualifying CIC graduates. Provides 4 x C$3,000 scholarships to CIC graduates.
• Brock UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual Admission Partner offering guaranteed placement in programs of choice when requirements are met. Students receive conditional Letter of Acceptance and special scholarships.
• Cape Breton UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual Admission Partner offering guaranteed placement in programs of choice when requirements are met. Students receive conditional Letter of Acceptance and special scholarships.
• D'Youville CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual Admission Partner offering guaranteed placement in programs of choice when requirements are met. Students receive conditional Letter of Acceptance and special scholarships.
• Acadia UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual Admission Partner offering guaranteed placement in programs of choice when requirements are met. Students receive conditional Letter of Acceptance and special scholarships.
• University of AlbertaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Partner offering admission pathways to CIC graduates seeking education in Western Canada.
• SodexocoreOthersWorld-renowned professional food service provider delivering up to 26 meals per week to students. Provides special meals based on religion or dietary needs.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• EF International Academy:

Direct peers

• Stanstead College: Quebec-based independent co-ed boarding school serving Grades 7-12 with bilingual French-English environment and international student population. Comparable as a Canadian boarding school with international student mix targeting university placements in Canada, US, and UK.
• Upper Canada College: Toronto-based independent boys' boarding school founded in 1829, serving Grades 5-12 with both day and boarding students. Comparable as a long-established Canadian private boarding school with strong university placement track records and premium tuition model targeting affluent families.
• Appleby College: Oakville, Ontario independent co-ed boarding school serving Grades 7-12 with globally diverse student body and reputation for top university admissions. Directly comparable as a premium Southern Ontario boarding school competing for the same international families and university placement outcomes.
• Ridley College: St. Catharines, Ontario independent boarding school serving Grades 5-12 with substantial international enrollment and rigorous university preparatory curriculum. Directly comparable as a premium Canadian boarding school competing for the same international feeder markets and Canadian university outcomes.
• Trinity College School: Port Hope, Ontario co-ed independent boarding school founded in 1861, offering Grades 5-12 with strong university placement. Comparable as a heritage Canadian boarding school with international student body and similar premium tuition structure targeting university-bound families.
• Ashbury College: Ottawa independent co-ed school (Grades 4-12) with boarding option and international student body targeting top Canadian and US universities. Comparable as a Canadian independent boarding school with similar tuition profile and university placement focus.
• TASIS The American School in Switzerland: Switzerland-based international boarding school serving Grades K-12 with globally diverse student body and strong American/European university placements. Comparable as a premium international boarding school competing for globally mobile affluent families seeking Western secondary education credentials.
• Lakefield College School: Lakefield, Ontario independent co-ed boarding school serving Grades 9-12 with international students and strong outdoor/leadership programming. Comparable as a smaller-scale Ontario boarding school with similar university-prep mission and international recruitment model.
• Branksome Hall: Toronto independent girls' school (Grades 1-12) with boarding program for international students, known for strong university placements globally. Comparable as a Toronto-based independent boarding school competing for international students seeking top Canadian university admissions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cic_totalcare
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/columbiaintlcollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/columbia.international.college
• Instagraminstagram.com/columbia.international.college
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/columbia-international-college

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Columbia International College