If you are a new immigrant to British Columbia and you have kids, one of the things you should do even before you arrive is to understand how the BC school system works.
This will help you plan ahead in your school choices, have the right documents ready and help your child integrate easily.
This post is a detailed guide on what you need to know about the BC school system and how to enroll your kids in school when you arrive.
What Age Does Your Child Need To Be To Enroll In School?
In BC, it is mandatory that all kids between the ages of five and sixteen must attend school. You have the option to enroll them in a school or teach them at home.
UNDERSTANDING THE BRITISH COLUMBIA SCHOOL SYSTEM
In the BC school system, Canada typically starts in early September. The school year usually ends in late May or June. Summer vacations are typically in July and August.
Schooling takes place five days a week from Monday to Friday, with the exception of statutory holidays and summer vacation.
In the province, the school consists of elementary school and secondary school (comprising of middle and high schools).
Elementary School
The first year of elementary school is called Kindergarten. Elementary schools in BC enroll students in Kindergarten from the age of 5 and Grades 1 to 7 from ages 6 to 12.
Children usually start elementary school in the same year that they turn five years old. If your child will turn 5 by December 31 of the school year, he/she is eligible to enroll in Kindergarten.
Secondary School
Most school districts enroll kids between 13 and 17 years in Grades 8 to 12, or in Grades 9 to 12. In districts where there are large numbers of students, students attend a Middle School/Junior High between the ages of 11 and 13 in Grades 6 to 8.
The BC school system is strict with the ages and corresponding grades. Your child will be enrolled in an age-appropriate grade when you arrive irrespective of the child’s grade in the previous school in your home country.
TYPES OF SCHOOLS IN BC
In British Columbia, the school system is broadly classified into public schools and independent/private schools.
Public Schools
The provincial government fully funds all public schools in BC. There are about 1,600 public schools in BC managed by 60 school district boards. Public schools are free for children to attend though you should expect some indirect costs for things like school supplies, lunches and snacks (if applicable), and field trips.
Public schools are zoned within a catchment area determined from house addresses. You can enroll your kids in a public school within a catchment area based on your house address.
Public schools curriculum is taught in either English or French Language.
French Programs
- Those for students who speak French as their first language (may begin at age 5 i.e. Kindergarten)
- French Immersion programs in the public school system language (may begin at age 5 i.e. Kindergarten)
- French language classes as part of the regular school curriculum which begins at age eight
There are about 45 public Francophone schools in BC.
For more information, contact the various BC School District Boards.
Private/Independent Schools
Private/Independent schools are only partially funded by the government. There are approximately 350 independent schools in BC comprised of religious and non-religious schools.
Some independent schools offer religious programs, such as in Catholic, Christian, or Muslim schools; or indigenous, Montessori, Special Needs, and Distributed Learning programs. There are 79 Catholic schools across the province where the religious and moral values of the church are inculcated in their curriculum.
Most independent schools charge fees. The cost of private school varies according to the type of school. You may be required to spend from $4000 to $80,000 annually in a private school. Scholarships and bursaries may be available for students provided by the private school.
You can enroll your child in a private school irrespective of where you live. These private schools have their own criteria for enrollment. Here is a link to find and compare private schools in BC.
Detailed information about independent schools in BC can be found on the FISA website.
Homeschooling
You have an option to educate your child from the comfort of your home. Your child needs to be a Registered Homeschooler if you choose this option. There are procedures and guidelines prepared by the Ministry of Education that you would be required to follow if you choose to homeschool your kids.
HOW TO ENROLL YOUR KIDS INTO SCHOOL IN BC
School registrations typically are typically open between January and February of the school year starting in September.
Information required to register your child in school include:
- Proof of age, such as a birth certificate or passport
- Immunization record
- Proof of resident status such as Permanent Resident Card, Confirmation of Permanent Residence, or Record of Landing.
- Proof of home address, such as a utility bill, copy of lease, bank statement, driver’s license
To enroll your kids in school, follow the steps outlined below:
- Use the B.C. School Locator Tool (search on Google if you live outside Vancouver as the link varies according to various cities) to find the closest school in your catchment area
- Visit the website of the local school board in your catchment school and follow the directions to register your child online
- Complete the application form. Typical information required include: home address, parent contact, emergency contact and any health-related information
- Upload proof of your child’s ID, proof of residency, proof of home address, and copy of immunization record as part of your application
If you are enrolling your child into high school, it is advisable to meet with a guidance counselor to discuss their previous schooling outside Canada and ascertain the gaps and career goals of interest.
WHERE TO FIND HELP AFTER THE REGISTRATION PERIOD HAS ENDED
If you arrive in BC after the registration window, you should contact the local school boards in your child’s catchment school. They will guide you on how to enroll your child. They will also assist you in finding a school if there are no more spots left in your catchment school.
Some public schools also have settlement workers, from the Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) Program, who will help you and your children settle into your new school and community.
If your child has special needs, he/she will attend regular classes. There are programs and services available to support your child’s special needs provided through your child’s school.
Many schools provide support services for students whose first language is not English. There are both short-term and long-term program options.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THE BC SCHOOL SYSTEM
- School typically starts at 8.30am and ends between 2.30pm and 2.45pm. If you need to drop off your child earlier or pick up later (due to work commitments), you will need to enroll your child in a Before and After School Program. This may be available through the local school board, organized by the school itself (private schools) or through third-party operators. This can cost between $25 and $45 per day. It is your responsibility to find and enroll your child in a suitable before and after school program
- You will be required to provide basic stationery school supplies at the beginning of each school year if your child is enrolled in a public school. The list of items (such as pencils, pencil crayons, sharpener, ruler, calculator, glue stick) will be provided by the school. Textbooks are provided free to be returned at the end of the school year. Private/independent schools usually provide school supplies as their cost has been incorporated in the fees.
- You will need to purchase personal items such lunchbox, water bottle, backpack, and gym shoes for your child.
- Students enrolled in public schools do not wear school uniforms. They may have a dress code that specifies what is acceptable or not. Private schools have uniforms and the costs vary. You may be required to pay for or purchase this uniform through an authorized vendor by yourself.
- You can take your kids to school yourself or if they are old enough, they can go by walking, bike/scooter or public transportation. Fortunately, School buses are available to transport students who live between three and five kilometers from school depending on whether they are in elementary or high school. You may need to pay an annual fee (between $25 and $250 per year, depending on the school board) for your child to ride on the school bus if they are eligible.
- Schools organize field trips relevant to the students’ education as part of the learning process. You may be required to pay out of pocket for these field trips. Financial support may be available for parents in need.
- Schools typically organize fund raisers (mostly in the form of book fairs, holiday gift sales, hot lunches etc.) to raise money to sponsor field trips or to purchase resources required to run the school. Parents are expected to participate and the cost varies depending on the type.
- The school will send you information about your child’s studies and school activities. Watch out for emails, letters, and notes from the teacher, the school board, the principal, or class representatives (other parents who volunteer to share information for the class).
- If you’re enrolling your child in school for the first time, the school board or school will likely do some kind of assessment to understand where your child is at and what level is appropriate for them. Also, this type of assessment allows schools to determine if your child may want to access any additional resources such as language training.
You should research the public school options in the city you intend to live in to determine what is appropriate for your child.
If you are confused at any point about what to do, BC Settlement Buddy is available to guide you. Kindly book a one-on-one settlement call to get more clarity on any challenges you are facing as a new immigrant.
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