This guide is for international families considering Unisus School（优尼思中学）, a private IB World School in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada. Unisus School describes itself as a Pre-K to Grade 12 school offering both day and boarding programs, and it is one of the few schools in Western Canada combining the International Baccalaureate with boarding for international students. All figures below come from the school’s official website as accessed on August 5, 2026; always check the latest version of the official pages before applying.
About Unisus School and Its Campus
Unisus Schoolis located in the Okanagan Valley community of Summerland, British Columbia, at 7808 Pierre Drive. The school website lists travel times of about 3.5 hours by car from Vancouver, 45 minutes from Kelowna, the region’s largest city, and about 15 minutes from Penticton. The gated 17-acre campus sits among organic farms and orchards, with beaches, hiking and mountain-biking trails and ski hills nearby, and the valley is known for four distinct seasons.
The school is organized into four divisions: Early Childhood Education for ages 2.5-5, Junior School for Kindergarten to Grade 5, Middle School for Grades 6-7, and Senior School for Grades 8-12. The boarding residence was built on campus in 2018, about 20 steps from the academic building, and houses up to about 70 students. The website also highlights security features such as a campus security system and UVC-LED air cleaning and quality monitoring.
Academic Programs and Graduation Pathways
Unisus Schoolbuilds its curriculum around the International Baccalaureate, integrating three pillars into the IB framework: outdoor education, technology and innovation, and entrepreneurship. In Senior School, students can follow an enhanced BC Dogwood Diploma path or pursue the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) in Grades 11-12. IBDP graduates receive both the IB Diploma and the British Columbia High School Diploma (the Dogwood), a dual-diploma outcome the school emphasizes. Grades 8-10 share a common foundation of courses, while Grades 11-12 allow specialization. The website notes that qualifying Higher Level IB results can earn first-year university credit at many institutions, with each university setting its own requirements.
The Academics+ program fits student interests into the school day: Scholar-Athlete academies cover hockey, snowsports, motorsports and soccer, while enrichment options span fine arts, music, entrepreneurship, outdoor education, leadership, multi-sport and world languages. In Middle School (Grades 6-7), students move from one main teacher to two homeroom teachers plus subject specialists in areas such as Spanish, ADST (Applied Design, Skills and Technology) and music; from Grade 6, academic classes are scheduled in the mornings three days a week, with afternoons reserved for these pathways.
English Language Support for International Students
For students whose first language is not English, Unisus Schoolruns an English Language Learning (ELL) program built on classroom support, language acquisition activities, small-group or one-on-one extension sessions in the afternoons, evenings and weekends, and an immersive environment. The school uses the WIDA system to assess English proficiency and design individual support. Standard English language tuition is included in international tuition fees; additional ESL group or one-on-one tutoring is not.
Because IB graduation requires proficiency in at least two languages, the school teaches Spanish as its main second language and, in Grades 11-12, offers French and Mandarin options through the Pamoja platform at an additional cost. Students may also earn a dual-language IB Diploma by taking a self-study Language and Literature course in their first language, such as German, Japanese or French. The school does not publish a single minimum English test score on its website; placement is handled through the admissions assessment process.
International Admissions and Entry Requirements
Unisus Schoolaccepts rolling admissions throughout the school year, with main intakes in September and January. The application process on the official website has five steps: book an in-person or virtual tour; complete the online application and pay the 250 CAD non-refundable application fee; upload supporting documents; complete a literacy and numeracy assessment with IXL and attend a student interview; and receive the enrollment notification. Supporting documents include the latest report cards plus final report cards from the last two years, and a copy of the passport or birth certificate.
The school states that admission results are sent within 7 days of the assessments, and successful candidates are placed on a wait list when a grade level is full. International students entering Grade 7 may be considered for boarding, pending an assessment interview. Study permits are processed by Canadian immigration authorities; the school’s website notes that international boarding students on a valid study permit must participate in the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) or hold equivalent private health care.
Tuition, Boarding and Fees for 2026-27
Unisus Schoolpublishes its 2026-27 fees in Canadian dollars. Annual tuition: Early Childhood Education (ages 3-5) 13,600 CAD; Kindergarten to Grade 3, 15,710 CAD for Canadian students and 25,750 CAD for international students; Grades 4-7, 17,100 CAD and 27,150 CAD; Grades 8-12, 19,100 CAD and 29,720 CAD. Tuition plus boarding for Grades 8-12: Canadian students 45,000 CAD for five-day (Monday-Friday) boarding or 53,700 CAD for seven-day boarding; international students 55,620 CAD and 64,320 CAD respectively. Boarding covers room and board, three meals a day, 24/7 care, scheduled after-school and weekend activities, and airport pick-up and drop-off on designated dates.
One-time, non-refundable fees include a 250 CAD application fee, a one-time entrance fee of 1,000 CAD (Canadian) or 2,000 CAD (international), 1,400 CAD for Grade 11/12 DP textbooks, 1,400 CAD for the Grade 12 IB DP exam fee, 900 CAD medical insurance for international boarding students, and a 1,500 CAD boarding ancillary deposit. Deposits: 1,000 CAD new-student enrollment deposit; 3,000 CAD (Canadian) or 8,000 CAD (international) new boarding deposit due within two weeks of acceptance; and 1,000 CAD / 5,000 CAD re-enrollment deposits due March 9. All deposits are applied to tuition or boarding fees. Bus service, uniforms (about 500-700 CAD) and an optional hot lunch program (about 40-60 CAD per week in the 2025/26 example pricing) are additional.
Boarding Life and Campus Facilities
The residence at Unisus Schoolhas three floors: the first floor holds the cafeteria and the Agora community room for Grade 12 students, the second floor is the boys’ floor, and the third floor hosts the girls’ floor and the Fab Lab. Every room has a private ensuite bathroom and separate shower, two bunk beds for up to three students, individual climate control, desks and wardrobes, and lake or mountain views. Access uses digital key fobs, with 24/7 dormitory staff, and laundry facilities are available on each floor. Weekend adventures are led by residence staff to Kelowna and Penticton, with seasonal activities ranging from sailing and paddle boarding in autumn to skiing, ice skating and ice fishing in winter.
International tuition at Unisus School includes standard English language tuition, the weekend adventure program, counselling, the nutrition program and homework supervision. It does not include additional ESL group or one-on-one tutoring, external certificate programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, IB-DP textbooks, or medical insurance. The school also offers short-term immersion options for international students who want to experience a Canadian semester before committing to a full year.
Application Planning and Practical Notes
When planning an application to Unisus School, a few points from the official pages are worth noting. First, budget ranges vary widely by grade, boarding option and residency status, so add up tuition, boarding, deposits and extras for your specific situation. Second, the application fee and one-time entrance fee are non-refundable, so prepare documents before submitting. Third, key payment deadlines are concentrated: the re-enrollment deposit is due March 9, and international students must pay their remaining balance before arrival. Fourth, admission results arrive within 7 days of the assessment, so leave room in your timeline if a grade is full and your child is wait-listed. All figures in this guide are from the Unisus School website as of August 5, 2026, and the official pages remain the final authority; if you would like help assessing how the school fits your child’s grade, language level and budget, our consultants can walk you through it.