Grade 11: WISS International Student University Express Program

Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 | Grade 12

 

What Is WISS?

Waterloo Independent Secondary School (WISS) is a private Canadian university preparatory school. Students from grades 7 - 12 can attend and can begin at any grade. WISS was founded in 2013 and is registered with the Ontario Ministry of Education.

Parents trust that when their child attends WISS, they will be given the skills and education necessary to be accepted into the top Canadian schools of their choice. The programs at WISS provide grade 11 students with an enriching educational environment and boast a high rate of admission to many distinguished universities.

The Grade 11 University Express Program

WISS offers students the opportunity to attend our University Express Program (UEP). The UEP ensures that our high school-aged students meet all of the necessary admission requirements that Canadian universities request.

Your child does not have to start the University Express Program in grade 9 - your grade 11 student will have ample opportunity to learn and be prepared at WISS for the Canadian universities of their choice!

Questions & Answers For Parents

  • No. Students between grades 7 - 12 can apply to learn at WISS. Grade 11 students will still have the opportunity to learn important skills to prepare them for Canadian universities, such as English language skills, preparation for admission tests, and so much more.

  • WISS is proud to be a school focused on academic innovation and growing the whole child - academically, socially, and emotionally. We are excited that you are interested in applying, and want to make the process as smooth as possible for parents. When applying, you will need:

    • Official school transcript(s)

    • Application and registration fees

    • Language assessment

    • Online interview completed

    To learn more about applying at WISS, you can check out information for applying as an International Student or applying as a Canadian student.

  • Although grade 11 students are older than some of our younger admission students, it can still be a challenge adjusting to life away from home. To help our students have a smooth transition, we offer both residence and homestay options at WISS.

    Both choices provide students with a warm, safe, and comfortable environment while they stay away from home, often for the first time.

    Option 1: Residence

    While attending WISS, students have the option to live at our student residence housing. We have created our residence building and program with the safety and comfort of your child in mind. The student residence is located in a wonderful and safe community just minutes away from the school campus in Waterloo.

    Option 2: Homestay

    For students who prefer a home environment, WISS also offers the homestay option. If you choose homestay for your child, WISS arranges for them to live with a local family. Every family is carefully screened and approved by WISS before they are paired with a student. The homestay program allows for a warm and friendly “home away from home” experience and is a great way for students to get integrated into their local community.

  • Yes. Students enrolled in the UEP are also prepared for a number of exams including:

    • SAT exams

    • IELTS exams

    • TOEFL exams

    • AP exams

    As your student is in grade 11, planning for these exams is very important, as they may be required to take them within the next year or so.

    Preparation for exams like the ones listed above may be crucial for university admission depending on the programs your child is applying to.

  • From 2018 - 2020:

    • 40% of WISS graduates were accepted to the University of Waterloo

    • 35% were accepted to the University of Toronto

    • 10% were accepted to McMaster University

    • 10% were accepted to Wilfrid Laurier University

    • 5% were accepted to other universities including Queen’s University, Western University, Ryerson University, and more.

  • Our school facility is located in Waterloo, where your grade 11 UEP student(s) will study. Here, you will see a wide range of benefits, from the facility itself to the environment we’ve worked hard to create.

    Our bright and modern school building boasts natural light, a range of study spaces, and a spacious and child-friendly environment.

    On-campus, we also offer:

    • A library

    • Safe and fun play spaces

    • On-campus garden

    • Trails and parks within close walking distance from the campus

    Students will enjoy a wide range of spaces to quietly study, connect with their peers, and enjoy leisure time when they aren’t studying.

  • For a full breakdown of costs, including tuition, application fees, residence fees, and more, click here.

Ready To Learn More About the
Grade 11 University Express Program?

 

Grade 11 students can greatly benefit from the University Express Program at WISS. Students who choose to study here are prepared for their post-secondary education from a variety of perspectives, focusing on academics, extracurriculars, English language development, and more. We are excited to chat with parents so you can learn more about WISS and how your child can excel here.