School programs · Richmond School District (SD38)

Richmond 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.

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Grades
K–Grade 5
Format
Online kindergarten registration, plus a separate online District Program Options application for French Immersion or Montessori.
Cost
Free to register and apply.
Official site
sd38.bc.ca

Key dates

  • Not confirmed yetRegistration and program application openExpected November 1, 2026 (opened November 1 last year)
  • Not confirmed yetPriority 1 and program application deadlineMid-January 2027 (2026 entry: January 16)
  • Not confirmed yetResults emailedEarly February 2027 (2026: February 6 to 10)

What it is

Richmond registers kindergarten online. Children must turn five by December 31 of the year they start, so September 2027 is for children born in 2022.

Priority 1 registration runs from November 1 to mid-January. Everyone who registers in that window gets equal consideration, and a lottery is used if a school has more applicants than spaces.

Early French Immersion starts in Kindergarten or Grade 1 at Anderson, Bridge, Dixon, Gilmore, Homma and Mitchell elementary schools.

Late French Immersion starts in Grade 6 at Diefenbaker and Whiteside elementary schools. It is for students who have finished Grade 5 and don't speak French.

French Immersion places follow priority groups: siblings already in the program, then students in the French Immersion catchment, then other Richmond residents, then out-of-district students. A random draw is used within a group if there are more applicants than spaces.

Montessori is also offered from Kindergarten at Steves, Garden City and McKinney elementary schools, with the same application window.

A good fit if: Richmond families with a child born in 2022, and Grade 5 students who want to start French in Grade 6.

How to register

  1. Register at sd38.bc.ca during Priority 1. For September 2026, this ran from November 1, 2025 to January 16, 2026. The September 2027 dates haven't been posted yet.
  2. If you want French Immersion or Montessori, also apply at dpoapplication.sd38.bc.ca in the same window.
  3. Watch your email in early February. In 2026, kindergarten placement emails were due by February 6 and French Immersion results were emailed February 10.
  4. Accept your French Immersion offer by the deadline. In 2026 it was February 13.

How to prepare

  • Have proof of Richmond residency and your child's documents ready before November 1.
  • Applying on the first day doesn't help. All Priority 1 registrations are treated the same.
  • Late applications, including siblings, go to the end of the waitlist. Contact programoptions@sd38.bc.ca if you miss the deadline.

For grade-by-grade options see Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5.

Common questions

When is Richmond French Immersion registration 2027?

Richmond hasn't posted its 2027 dates yet. Last year the application ran from November 1, 2025 to January 16, 2026, with results emailed February 10, 2026.

Is Richmond French Immersion a lottery?

Partly. Applicants are sorted into priority groups first: siblings, then French Immersion catchment, then other Richmond residents, then out-of-district. A random draw decides places within a group if it is oversubscribed.

Can my child start French Immersion in Richmond in Grade 6?

Yes. Late French Immersion starts in Grade 6 at Diefenbaker and Whiteside elementary schools. You apply during the Grade 5 year, in the same November to January window.

Sources

Last checked October 2, 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm with the organizer.