| Columbia International College | |
| Seek, Strive, Succeed | |
| Address | |
| 1003 Main Street West Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4P3, Canada |
|
| Information | |
| Principal | Mr. Ron Rambarran [1] |
| School type | Independent School, Co-educational School, University-Preparatory School, Day/Boarding School |
| Grades | 7-12,University Preparatory |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Homepage | http://www.cic-totalcare.com/ |
Columbia International College is the largest private boarding preparatory school in Canada, with an enrollment of more than 1,700 students from over 70 countries in the world. The school is located in Hamilton, Ontario, in the residential neighborhood of Westdale, near McMaster University and Mohawk College.
Columbia is a member of the Independent School Associations of Ontario (ISAO). The College is also registered with the Ministry of Education (Ontario)
Columbia has three residences that accommodate 1,200 students, and is planning to add another 400 beds by the spring of 2012. Its facilities also includes two teaching campuses, and an 700-acre (2.8 km2) outdoor education and leadership training center, Bark Lake, located in Haliburton County, Ontario, north of Toronto.
Contents |
Founded in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1979, Columbia International College started off as a six-room university preparatory and ESL school on Mohawk Road West. The College was then known as Columbia Secondary School of Canada.
The school quickly outgrew its Mohawk Road location, prompting a move to 430 East 25th Street in 1981 and another move to 1029 Main Street West in 1985; by this time, Columbia had a student population of 300. Ten years later, in 1991, Columbia Secondary School officially changed its name to Columbia International College.
The 1990s saw great growth in Columbia’s facilities, academic programs and student population. The school’s steady climb in enrolment numbers resulted in a relocation to the Ainsliewood Campus in 2000. The school’s current home is an 11,200 square metre facility located at 1003 Main Street West.
Columbia has a unique system for educating international students, known as the Total Care Education System. Columbia’s Total Care comprises:
The Total Care Education System is the brainchild of Columbia’s Executive Director, Clement Chan and the current school Principal, Ron Rambarran. Chan and Rambarran came to Canada as international students. Their experiences as foreign students gave them a personal understanding of the key challenges international students face and the elements necessary for a successful transition to studying in Canada. Hence they developed the Total Care Education System to take care of international students’ academic, social, emotional and physical needs while they are studying away from home.[2]
Columbia has 6 semesters: January, March, June, July, August and October.[3] These multiple semesters allow students to enroll throughout the year.
Columbia International College consists of:
In addition to its ESL and TOEFL preparation programs, Columbia is an Official Test Centre for:
Columbia International College educates students from Grade 7 through to Grade 12. The school’s academic programs include:
Every summer Columbia holds an ESL Summer Camp for children aged 9–19. At the camp people learn English, take part in activities and visit Canadian landmarks and attractions. There are several programs available and each has its own highlights. Campers are looked after by staff called the “Green Team” and can take art, computer, sports and science classes at the camp as well.[8]
During the ESL Summer Camp campers have the opportunity to visit places all over Canada including but not limited to:
Columbia’s University Placement Office, located in the Ainsliewood building, works closely with students and provides information on university application and admission requirements. The College’s University Placement Officers help students with university research, selection, and application.
University admission statistics (2009–2010 Graduates)[9]
Columbia International College has University Partnerships with the following 10 Universities;
Columbia’s Dual Admission program guarantees students admission to their program of choice, at their desired university once they meet the minimum programs requirements[10]
The College’s Dual Admission Partners include:
Many of Columbia’s University Partners have designated University Entrance Scholarships for the graduates of the College. These universities include:
Columbia International College currently has 3 residence buildings with approximately 1000 beds.
Linden Hall is an all-girls’ residence in downtown Hamilton. It has furnished double and triple rooms with private bathrooms.
Pine Hall is an all-boys’ residence situated in the Hamilton mountain area. It is within close proximity to Mohawk College and has double, triple and quad rooms with private or shared bathrooms.
Oak Hall, another boys’ residence, is located next to the Ainsliewood building, Columbia International College’s main campus. It has double or triple rooms with shared bathrooms.
Columbia’s Student Development Office assists students with their after-school schedules, organizing special events on campus and within the 3 residences. Extended student services such as club activities, weekend trips and excursions are also organized to facilitate student life.
Clubs and activities at Columbia International College include, but are not limited to:
Leadership
Arts & Crafts
Community Service
Columbia has a range of sports and recreational programs in which students can participate.
Activities include:
For five straight years, Columbia International College has been awarded the
The Athletics Department runs
To further enrich their extracurricular experience, students have the opportunity to receive outdoor education and leadership training at Columbia’s Bark Lake [14]
Leadership retreats at Bark Lake are offered by the College year round, with activities including but not limited to:
Columbia and Bark Lake’s collaboration and affiliation on leadership programs has allowed many of the College’s students to enjoy Canada’s landscape and ‘true Canadian wilderness’ through outdoor recreation activities.
The College promotes leadership and character development in the school curriculum as well as through leadership courses.