January: what BC parents need to know
Contests and programs where families usually register, apply or take part in January. Exact dates are on each page and marked when confirmed.
Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest
A fun, international multiple-choice math contest from Grade 1. Parents register directly, and the contest is written on a Sunday in March.
Grades 1–12$20 last year if registered by…MathMath Challengers BC
BC's team and individual math competition for Grades 8–10. Schools register by January 15, 2027. Lower Mainland regionals are expected February 20.
Grades 8–10Paid by the school: from $50…MathPascal, Cayley and Fermat Contests
University of Waterloo contests for Grades 9 (Pascal), 10 (Cayley) and 11 (Fermat). Written at school on February 23–24, 2027.
Grades 9–11$6 per studentCodingCanadian Computing Competition (CCC)
Canada's main programming contest for students, with Junior and Senior levels. Written online at school on February 17, 2027. Schools must register by February 11.
Grades 9–12$10 per studentScienceShad Canada
A month-long summer STEAM and entrepreneurship program for Grade 10 and 11 students. Apply by November 8, 2026 for early decision, or by January 6, 2027.
Grades 10–11Free to applyLanguage & readingCBC First Page Student Writing Challenge
A national CBC Books challenge for Grades 7–12: write the first page of a novel set 150 years in the future. Usually open for entries in February.
Grades 7–12No entry fee was listed in 2026Arts, music & chessRoyal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program Exams
Graded music and theory exams used across Canada. For the January 2027 practical exams, register by November 3, 2026.
K–Grade 12Fees depend on the subject and…Arts, music & chessVancouver Kiwanis Music Festival
Metro Vancouver's large music competition festival, with feedback from adjudicators. Solo registration runs November 2, 2026 to January 18, 2027.
K–Grade 12Entry fees vary by classCamps & enrichmentUBC Geering Up summer STEM camps
Week-long science, engineering and coding day camps run by UBC for kids entering Grades 1–12. Registration opened on February 18 in 2026.
K–Grade 11$410–$490 a week for elementary…Camps & enrichmentScience World spring and summer science camps
Hands-on science day camps at Science World for spring break and summer. Members can book first, and spots sell out quickly.
K–Grade 8About $550 for a 5-day camp in…School programsIndependent (private) school admissions in Metro Vancouver
Most Metro Vancouver independent schools take applications in the fall for the next September. For 2027 entry, many deadlines fall between October 29 and December 3, 2026.
K–Grade 11Application fees were $50–$350…School programsVancouver mini schools (Grade 8 entry)
Enriched Grade 8 programs at Vancouver secondary schools. Grade 7 students register with the district in November–December, then apply to each program separately.
Grade 7Free to applySchool programsVancouver kindergarten registration
Register at your catchment school between November 1 and January 31 for priority. Children must turn 5 by December 31 of the year they start.
KindergartenFreeSchool programsVancouver Early French Immersion and kindergarten choice programs
Early French Immersion, Montessori, Mandarin Bilingual, Fine Arts and Indigenous Focus kindergartens. Apply January 5 to February 2, 2027. Places are decided by random draw.
KindergartenFree to applySchool programsVancouver Late French Immersion (Grades 6–7)
A second chance at French Immersion, starting in Grade 6. Apply while your child is in Grade 5. Places are decided by draw.
Grade 5Free to applySchool programsRichmond kindergarten registration and French Immersion
Kindergarten registration and the French Immersion and Montessori application open November 1. Last year both closed in mid-January, with results in early February.
K–Grade 5Free to register and applySchool programsNorth Vancouver kindergarten registration and French Immersion
Priority kindergarten registration for September 2027 runs October 15 to December 15, 2026. You choose English or French Immersion in the same online form.
K–Grade 5Free to registerSchool programsNorth Vancouver IB programs and academies
The full IB continuum from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with the Middle Years Programme for every Grade 8–10 student at Carson Graham. Grade 8–12 academies charge fees and apply in winter.
Grades 7–10IB through Carson Graham is…School programsSurrey kindergarten registration and French Immersion lottery
Kindergarten registration opens in January. Early French Immersion and other choice programs use an online lottery in February, with results before Spring Break.
K–Grade 5Free to register and applySchool programsSurrey gifted programs, IB and Inter-A
The Challenge Program (Grades 3–7) and MACC classes (Grades 5–7) by school referral, plus IB at Johnston Heights and the Inter-A program at Queen Elizabeth Secondary.
Grades 3–8Free through the school systemSchool programsCoquitlam kindergarten registration and French Immersion
Apply for French Immersion, Montessori or Mandarin Bilingual from January 7 to 13, 2027. Kindergarten registration at your catchment school is February 1–4, 2027.
K–Grade 5Free to applySchool programsCoquitlam IB program at Port Moody Secondary (Grade 9 entry)
SD43's district IB program takes about 150 students a year into Grade 9. Grade 8 students apply by December 18, 2026 and write an intake assessment on January 16, 2027.
Grade 8Free to applyMathUBC and PIMS Math Circles for Grades 5–7
Monday after-school math workshops at UBC for Grades 5–7, run by math faculty. $5 a session, with registration for each session.
Grades 5–7$5 per session per child