Just arrived? Start here.

Your first weeks, step by step

1. Find your catchment school. Enter your address in the school finder, or use your district's school locator.
2. Register at the catchment school or district. Bring proof of your address in the district, your child's birth certificate or passport, your immigration documents (such as permanent resident card, or study or work permits), and immunization records if you have them. Some districts register newcomers at a district welcome or registration centre instead of the school.
3. Ask about English support. If English isn't your child's first language, ask how the school will assess their English and what support they'll get.
4. Ask for a settlement worker. Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) help newcomer families for free, often in your language. Ask the school office.
5. Note this year's no-school days. Pro-D days, winter break and spring break are different in each district. Plan childcare early.
6. Check deadlines you might have missed. Many programs take applications the winter before they start. The list below shows what's closed and what's still open for your child.

BC school words, explained

Catchment

The area around a school. Living in a school's catchment gives your child priority there, but not a guaranteed place if the school is full.

Choice program (program of choice)

A special program you apply for separately, such as French Immersion, Montessori or a mini school. Most have their own deadlines, often months before the school year, and many use a lottery.

French Immersion

A free public program where most lessons are taught in French. No French is needed at home. Most children join in Kindergarten or Grade 1 (Early French Immersion) or Grade 6 (Late French Immersion).

Cross-boundary or out-of-catchment

Applying to a school outside your catchment. Usually done in February for the next September, and only possible if the school has space.

Mini school

In Vancouver, a small enriched program inside a secondary school. Students apply in Grade 7 for Grade 8.

Pro-D day

A professional development day: teachers train and students stay home. There are several each year, so working parents usually need childcare or a day camp.

PAC

Parent Advisory Council. Every public school has one, open to all parents. It's a good way to meet other families and hear about the school.

Learning Update and Summary of Learning

BC's report cards. Kindergarten to Grade 9 use four words (Emerging, Developing, Proficient, Extending) instead of letter grades. Letter grades and percentages start in Grade 10.

ELL

English Language Learning. Schools assess newcomer students' English and give extra support if needed. Ask your school how your child will be assessed.

School-based team

The group at each school (principal, learning support teacher and others) that plans extra support for students who need it. Parents can ask for their child to be discussed.

IEP

Individual Education Plan: a written plan for a student with a designation, such as a learning disability or giftedness, describing their goals and support.

MyEducation BC

The student information system most BC districts use. Some districts give parents a portal login to see attendance, schedules or reports.

StrongStart

Free drop-in early learning centres in many schools, for children under 5 with a parent or caregiver.

SWIS

Settlement Workers in Schools: free support for newcomer families, often in your language. Ask your school or district how to reach one.

Dogwood

The BC high school graduation diploma. French Immersion students can earn a bilingual Dogwood.

FSA

Foundation Skills Assessment: provincial reading and math tests in Grades 4 and 7. Results don't count toward grades.