Private School Options for Autistic Children in Ontario
Direct answer
Ontario allows a private high school to grant OSSD credits only after a successful inspection. Separately, Canada Revenue Agency guidance says school fees may qualify as medical expenses under paragraph 118.2(2)(e), even when some fees could be construed as tuition.
The numbers behind the answer
- OSSD Credit Authority
- Successful inspection required
- Ontario Ministry of Education, Private schools
- Federal School-Fee Medical Expense
- Conditional eligibility
- Canada Revenue Agency, Income Tax Folio S1-F1-C1
The school route, step by step
Every school support in Ontario runs through the same sequence. Here is the order the steps come in.
Ten steps · four phases
See the whole school journey before choosing your next step.
This overview shows the order of the main routes. The detailed guide below explains what happens, what parents can request, and which records to keep at each stage.
Phase 01
Prepare for school
Complete the clinical and transition work before the first school day.
Phase 02
Put supports in writing
Move from informal conversations to a documented placement and support plan.
Phase 03
Escalate when support stalls
Use the next formal route only when the school-level process has not resolved the issue.
Phase 04
Plan the next transition
Use the IEP transition plan to connect school with the path after secondary education.
About This Article
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Last updated:
OSSD Credit Inspection
- Ontario's Ministry of Education says it allows private high schools to grant credits only after a successful inspection.
Possible Federal Medical Expense
- Canada Revenue Agency guidance says that, when the requirements it identifies are met, school fees can be eligible medical expenses under Income Tax Act paragraph 118.2(2)(e).
- The CRA guidance adds that some eligible fees could be construed as tuition. Families must assess the agency's complete requirements for the particular person and school before making a claim.
Frequently asked questions
The Ministry of Education says it allows a private high school to grant credits after a successful inspection.
Possibly. CRA guidance says school fees can be eligible under Income Tax Act paragraph 118.2(2)(e) when the requirements it identifies are met, even if some fees could be construed as tuition.
Sources
Successful inspection requirement for private-high-school OSSD credit-granting authority
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Income Tax Folio S1-F1-C1, paragraphs 1.56 to 1.60 on care and training in a school under Income Tax Act paragraph 118.2(2)(e)
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Next steps
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