What the ILAC Closure Means for International Students — and How to Keep Your Canadian Education on Track
The sudden closure of ILAC on September 18, 2026, has left students, families, education agents, and international partners facing difficult questions about what comes next.
ILAC announced that it had filed for bankruptcy protection and ceased operations immediately, with classes and programming cancelled at its Toronto and Vancouver locations. The announcement came shortly after EC English closed its Canadian schools, adding to uncertainty for international students who had planned their education around studying in Canada.
For students whose plans have been disrupted, the most important question now is:
How can I continue my education without starting over?
The good news is that there are alternative pathways available — including options that allow students to study the Ontario curriculum from their home country.
What Should Students Do After an Unexpected School Closure?
If your school or academic program has closed, there are several important steps to take before choosing your next program.
1. Gather your academic records
Keep copies of your transcripts, report cards, course records, receipts, and any documentation showing the courses or credits you have completed.
If you are transferring to another school, these records can help determine what education you have already completed and what you may still need.
2. Check whether the school is authorized to grant OSSD credits
If your goal is an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, it is important to verify that the school you choose is an Ontario Ministry-inspected private high school authorized to grant credits toward the OSSD.
The Ontario Ministry of Education recommends that families ask whether a private school is inspected, whether it can issue OSSD credits, and whether it follows the Ontario curriculum.
3. Ask how your previous education will be assessed
You may not need to start from the beginning.
Depending on your academic history, previous coursework may be assessed through Ontario equivalency or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) processes. The purpose is to determine which requirements you have already met and which credits you still need.
A Flexible Alternative: Study the Ontario Curriculum From Home
For some international students, relocating to Canada is not the only way to access an Ontario education.
Aubrey Academy is an Ontario Ministry-inspected private high school (BSID #665140) offering asynchronous OSSD credit courses online. Students can study the Ontario curriculum from anywhere in the world while working toward their Ontario Secondary School Diploma.
Students can:
Study online from their home country
Learn through a flexible, asynchronous schedule
Work with Ontario-certified teachers
Begin courses throughout the year
Have previous academic records assessed
Complete OSSD credits toward their graduation requirements
Continue working toward university and college pathways
For students who are unable or no longer planning to relocate to Canada, this can provide another way to continue their Canadian education without waiting for a traditional semester to begin.
Looking for an ILAC Alternative?
If you were affected by the ILAC closure and are looking for an ILAC alternative, the right choice will depend on your academic goals and what you have already completed.
Aubrey Academy can review your academic history and help determine whether an online OSSD pathway may be appropriate for you.
Our team can look at your previous coursework and help identify:
Which credits you may already have
Which OSSD requirements remain
Which courses you may need to complete
How an online pathway could fit your timeline
What steps are needed to continue toward graduation
The goal is simple: help you understand your options before you make your next decision.
For International Students: You Don't Have to Put Your Education on Hold
Changing schools unexpectedly can be stressful, particularly when travel, immigration, accommodation, tuition, and university plans are involved.
An online Canadian high school pathway can remove some of those logistical challenges by allowing students to study the Ontario curriculum from home.
For families specifically searching for OSSD online for international students or looking for a way to study Canadian curriculum from home, Aubrey Academy offers a flexible option designed for students studying from outside Canada.
For Education Agents and International Schools
We also welcome conversations with education agents, international schools, and organizations looking for an Ontario academic partner.
Aubrey Academy works with international families and partners to provide flexible OSSD pathways for students around the world.
If you are supporting students affected by a school closure, we would be happy to discuss whether an online OSSD pathway could be appropriate for them.
Take the Next Step
If your education plans have been disrupted, you don't have to figure everything out on your own.
Contact Aubrey Academy for a pathway assessment.
Send us your transcript or available academic records, and our team can help you understand where you currently stand and what your next steps toward the OSSD could look like.
Explore Online OSSD Options for International Students →
Aubrey Academy
Ontario Ministry-Inspected Private High School
BSID #665140
(416) 998-3354
info@aubreyacademy.ca