Columbia is an Independent School Association of Ontario (ISAO) member. The College is also registered with the Ministry of Education (Ontario).
History
Founded in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1979, Columbia International College began as a six-room university preparatory and ESL school on Mohawk Road West. It was known at the time as Columbia Secondary School of Canada. The school quickly outgrew this 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. In 1991, Columbia Secondary School officially changed its name to Columbia International College.
Columbia's facilities, academic programs, and student population grew in the 1990s. The school's growing number of students resulted in a relocation to the Ainsliewood Campus in 2000. The current campus is an 11,200-square-metre facility located at 1003 Main Street West.
Columbia International College provides a comprehensive residence program called Total Care Living®, which is designed to create a "home-away-from-home" environment for students. The program is built on a holistic approach that integrates students' academic, social, emotional, and physical well-being.
The Total Care Living® model aims to provide a safe, healthy, and supportive on-campus living experience. The college utilizes a centralized information system, the Total Care Student Tracker®, to monitor and assess each student's overall development, encompassing not just academics but also their social, emotional, and physical health. This integrated approach allows staff and parents to gain a complete understanding of each student's needs.
Residence
The college operates separate residences for boys and girls:
Boys' Residences: Pine Hall Boys and Oak Hall.
Girls' Residences: Pine Hall Girls and Linden Hall.
Accommodations and Amenities
The residences offer modern and comfortable living spaces with a range of amenities:
Rooms: Each student is provided with a new comforter and pillow upon arrival. Bedrooms are equipped with air-conditioning and heating with individual controls, a study desk with proper lighting, a personal phone extension with voicemail, and both Wi-Fi and wired internet access. Rooms also include lockable spaces for valuables.
Common Areas: Residences feature various recreational facilities, which may include an indoor gym, a games room, a TV room, an indoor swimming pool, ping-pong tables, basketball courts, a dance studio, and an outdoor BBQ terrace. Student lounges and study rooms are also available.
Services and Facilities
A variety of services are provided to ensure a stress-free living environment:
Dining: The college's dining services are open 365 days a year, including holidays. Onsite kitchens in each residence building serve up to four freshly prepared, nutritious meals a day. Menus are designed by qualified dietitians and executive chefs.
Housekeeping and Laundry: Weekly room cleaning and vacuuming are provided. Laundry facilities are also available.
Transportation: Schol bus service operates between the residences and the school.
Health and Wellness: Nurse, and wellness room are available to students.
Safety and Security
The college places a high priority on student safety with the following measures in place:
24/7 security staff.
Video surveillance.
Access-controlled entrances, elevators, and floors.
Regular emergency preparedness drills.
Staff trained to identify and address bullying.
Student Life and Support
The residence program is designed to foster social skills, independence, and discipline:
Orientation and Activities: A new student orientation program helps with integration. A variety of after-school activities, and sports are offered.
Academic Support: In-residence tutoring is available to all students.
Guidance and Supervision: Residence staff provide support.
Younger Students: A dedicated program with specialized staff is in place for students under the age of 16 to ensure they receive priority care and attention, including homework checks.
Parent Communication: The school has over 30 multilingual staff to support students and their parents. Parents can also access the online ezReport Card for up-to-date information about their child's progress.
Extracurricular activities
Columbia's Student Development Office assists students with their after-school schedules and events on campus and within residence. They also offer clubs and activities based on Leadership, the Arts, Community Service, and Athletics.
Bark Lake Leadership Center
Bark Lake is Columbia's private Leadership and Outdoor Education Center. It is a 700-acre facility located in Haliburton County, Ontario.
Throughout the year, frequent trips are made to Bark Lake for students to complete leadership training.[9]
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