Online homeschool in Sydney, Nova Scotia
Live Cambridge IGCSE & A-Level for Sydney and Cape Breton Island families. Built for Cape Breton University, Dalhousie, plus mainland Canada and international applications. From USD 423 per month.
Cape Breton families benefit from CBU's strong international student culture (significant Indian, Nigerian, Chinese international populations bring Cambridge familiarity) plus CBU's acceptance of Cambridge qualifications. Plus Cape Breton's geographic isolation makes online learning genuinely valuable — Smartious live instruction doesn't require travel to mainland Halifax or further.
Sydney is the largest urban centre on Cape Breton Island and home to Cape Breton University (CBU — recently named one of Canada's most international universities by per-capita international enrollment, particularly from India). Cape Breton's post-coal-mining transformation (tourism, healthcare, Membertou First Nation economic development, plus emerging tech via CBU) creates families homeschooling for academic depth and global mobility.
95K Cape Breton Regional Municipality · Cape Breton Island
University pathways
- Cape Breton University (CBU)
- Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC Marconi campus, Sydney)
- Dalhousie University (Halifax, 4.5hr drive + ferry)
- Saint Mary's University (Halifax)
- Mount Saint Vincent University (Halifax)
- St. Francis Xavier University (Antigonish, 2hr south)
Sydney neighbourhoods we serve
Whitney Pier · Ashby · North End Sydney · South End Sydney · Sydney Mines · North Sydney · Glace Bay · New Waterford · Membertou First Nation · Eskasoni First Nation (45min) · Westmount · Big Pond · Mira Gut · Louisbourg (45min east, Fortress of Louisbourg heritage)
Fees
From USD 423/month for Primary, payable termly; varies by curriculum and level. One-to-one tuition: USD 15/hour.
Frequently asked questions
How does Smartious work with Nova Scotia homeschool requirements for Cape Breton families?
Nova Scotia families file annual notification with NLESD (Nova Scotia Education and Early Childhood Development homeschool office) by July 15 each year — for Cape Breton, this goes through CBVRSB (Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board). No required curriculum, no portfolio review, no testing. Smartious provides curriculum documentation supporting future university applications.
Does Smartious help Cape Breton families apply to CBU and Dalhousie?
Yes. Cape Breton University (CBU) accepts Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level — CBU's international culture means admissions staff are familiar with Cambridge qualifications. CBU School of Business (BBA), Shannon School of Business, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, plus Engineering Technology programmes all welcome Cambridge applications. Dalhousie (Halifax), Saint Mary's, Mount Saint Vincent, St. FX also accept Cambridge — Atlantic Provinces Reciprocity allows easy inter-provincial applications.
Which Cape Breton Island areas do you serve?
All of Sydney and Cape Breton Island including Whitney Pier, Ashby, North End and South End Sydney, Sydney Mines, North Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford, Membertou First Nation, Eskasoni First Nation, Westmount, Big Pond, Mira Gut, Louisbourg. Plus broader Cape Breton (Baddeck, Inverness, Mabou, Cheticamp, Ingonish) on request. Smartious is fully online — Cape Breton Island geographic isolation is irrelevant.
More in Canada
What parents say
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 130+ reviews. Read our Google reviews
“What stands out most about Smartious Homeschool and Tuition is their dedication to each learner. They don't rush through topics but ensure the child fully understands before moving forward. The progress my child has made in a short time is impressive. I would definitely recommend them to any parent.” — Google reviewer, Google review