Grade 8 in BC: what your child learns and what's open to them
31 contests and programs open to grade 8 students in British Columbia. You don't need to do all of them. Pick the ones that match what your child enjoys.
Math
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…MathCanada Jay Mathematical Competition
A national 90-minute contest for students in Grade 8 and below, with a division for Grade 4 and under. Written in school on November 19, 2026.
Grades 4–8$12 per studentMathGauss Mathematics Contest
Canada's best-known middle school math contest for Grades 7 and 8. Written at school between May 10 and 21, 2027.
Grades 7–8$5 per studentMathMath 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…MathAMC 8 (American Mathematics Competitions)
A 25-question, 40-minute US math contest for Grade 8 and below, open to Canadian students through a host school or centre. Written January 21–27, 2027.
Grades 5–8Set by the host school or centreMathAMC 10 and AMC 12 (American Mathematics Competitions)
75-minute US high school math contests, open to Canadian students through a host. Written November 5 (A) or November 13 (B), 2026.
Grades 8–12Set by the host school or centreMathCEMC Problem of the Week
A new math problem every Thursday at five levels from Grades 3–4 to Grades 11–12, with the solution a week later. Sign up by email or read it online.
Grades 3–12No fee is listedCoding
Beaver Computing Challenge
Computational-thinking puzzles, no coding needed. Written online at school, November 9–20, 2026. Schools must order by October 26.
Grades 5–10$3 per studentCodingFIRST LEGO League (Explore and Challenge) in BC
Team LEGO robotics for ages 6–14. Teams must register with FIRST by October 31, 2026 to compete at BC qualifiers in January.
Grades 1–8Paid per teamCodingFIRST Tech Challenge in BC
Team robotics for Grades 7–12. Teams design, build and code a robot. The Lower Mainland qualifier is December 5, 2026 in Surrey.
Grades 7–12Paid per teamScience
Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair
The regional science fair for Grades 7–12 in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, the North Shore and nearby districts. The 2027 fair is April 8–10 at UBC.
Grades 7–12$65 per student last yearScienceSouth Fraser Regional Science Fair
The regional science fair for Grades 7–12 in Surrey and Delta, held at KPU Surrey. The 2027 fair is April 7–8.
Grades 7–12$60 per student last yearScienceUBC Physics Olympics
A hands-on team physics competition for BC high schools at UBC. The 2027 event is Saturday, February 27. Schools register teams in the fall.
Grades 8–12$80 per team last yearScienceUBC Geering Up Saturday Clubs
Saturday morning science and engineering clubs at UBC for Grades 1–12, run in fall and winter sessions. Bursaries of up to 90% are available.
Grades 1–12$350 per session for elementary…Language & reading
Spelling Bee of Canada
A national spelling bee for ages 6 to 14 with a British Columbia & Vancouver chapter. Registration for the 2027 program opens October 16, 2026.
Grades 1–9Fee for 2027 not posted yetLanguage & readingVancouver Writers Fest Youth Writing Contest
A free-to-enter short story and personal essay contest for BC students in Grades 5–12. The next contest opens in spring 2027.
Grades 5–12No entry fee is listedLanguage & 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 2026Language & readingSurrey Libraries Youth Writing Contest
A free writing contest for Surrey residents aged about 12 to 18, with categories for short stories, poems, comics and more. Usually open from May to July.
Grades 7–12FreeLanguage & readingBC Summer Reading Club
A free summer reading program at BC public libraries. Kids track their reading, collect stickers and earn a medal. Runs from about mid-June to August.
K–Grade 8FreeLanguage & readingDELF Prim and DELF Junior French Diplomas (Alliance Française Vancouver)
Official French-language diplomas recognized worldwide. Alliance Française Vancouver lists DELF Prim (ages 8–11) and DELF Junior (ages 12–17), but kids' exam dates aren't posted yet.
Grades 3–12Kids' exam fees not posted yetLanguage & readingBC Debate and Public Speaking Tournaments (DSABC)
School-based debate and public speaking tournaments that lead to BC and national championships. Junior public speaking starts in Grade 6.
Grades 6–12School membership is $200 a yearArts, music & chess
Royal 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 classArts, music & chessBC Youth Chess Championship and Canadian Youth Chess Championship
Rated chess tournaments for players under 18. Score 50% at a qualifier, such as the BC Youth Chess Championship, to play at the national CYCC each July.
K–Grade 12Varies by tournamentCamps & enrichment
UBC 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 programs
Independent (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 programsTransition Program for Gifted Students at UBC
An early university entrance program for highly gifted students aged 12–15. Admissions are paused, and no intake has been announced for 2026–27.
Grades 7–9Not applicable while admissions…School 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 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 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 applyPlan ahead: what starts in later grades
Nothing to do yet. It just helps to know these are coming.
Guides for grade 8 parents
Put every deadline in your calendar
One step, no account. Each deadline comes with a reminder a week before, and the calendar updates itself when dates change.