SD43 · What happens if…

Coquitlam: where each school choice leads

Coquitlam has three levels: elementary (K–5), middle school (6–8) and secondary (9–12). Students in their catchment move up automatically, and each new school is set by your home address.

Going to a school outside your catchment needs a cross-catchment application at each move. Attending an out-of-catchment school earlier gives no priority later.

French Immersion has its own catchments and continues at Dr. Charles Best or Riverside secondary. Programs of choice don't need a cross-catchment application.

Coquitlam cross-catchment and school locator →

What happens if…

Pick up to two paths to compare. Tell us your child's grade to see which doors are still open.

Paths to compare

Catchment English school

Register at your catchment elementary. For September 2027, documents are due February 1–4, 2027.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 8 (elementary, then middle school)Your catchment elementary, then your catchment middle school.
  2. Grade 9 to 12Your catchment secondary school, set by your home address.

How sure is that secondary place? Good if there's space. Priority goes to catchment students.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • This is the default. Unless you apply for something else, your address picks the middle and secondary schools.
Ways to change course later
  • Late French Immersion (middle school)Competitive
    Apply in Grade 5, 6 years from nowThis year's timing: January 7–13, 2027, during Grade 5Late French Immersion at Citadel, Moody or Montgomery middle school, then Dr. Charles Best or Riverside.
  • Middle school outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 5, 6 years from nowThis year's timing: February 5–10, 2027, during Grade 5A different middle school, if it has space. The secondary still follows your address unless you apply again.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 7; the deadline was around mid-January in past yearsGrade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Archbishop Carney in Port Coquitlam (tuition about $530 a month for Catholic families and $940 for others).
  • Private secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: Fall of Grade 7. For September 2027: Crofton House by November 1, 2026 and York House by November 13, 2026Grade 8 is a main entry year. For example, St. George's takes 40–50 new Grade 8 students and Crofton House up to 44.
  • Move into a different catchmentUsually possible
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Before the next school move; you need three documents in a parent's nameYour child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.
  • Secondary outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 8, 9 years from nowThis year's timing: February of Grade 8 (February 5–10 in 2027)A different secondary, if it has space.
  • IB at Port Moody SecondaryCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 8, 9 years from nowTiming, based on last year: During Grade 8; check dates with the schoolIB Foundations in Grades 9–10 and the IB Diploma in Grades 11–12 at Port Moody Secondary, open to students across the district.

Early French Immersion

Apply January 7–13, 2027 for September 2027, before the kindergarten document deadline. Places are decided by random draw, siblings first, with results from January 25.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 8 (elementary, then middle school)A French Immersion elementary (Coquitlam River, Glenayre, Irvine, Kilmer, Mary Hill, Nestor, Panorama Heights, Porter Street, Rochester or Westwood), then a French Immersion middle school (Banting, Kwayhquitlum, Maillard, Maple Creek or Pitt River).
  2. Grade 9 to 12French Immersion at Dr. Charles Best or Riverside.

How sure is that secondary place? Good while your child stays in French Immersion. It has its own catchments, and no cross-catchment application is needed.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • The district doesn't publish a clear rule for students who leave French Immersion.
Ways to change course later
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 7; the deadline was around mid-January in past yearsGrade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Archbishop Carney in Port Coquitlam (tuition about $530 a month for Catholic families and $940 for others).
  • Private secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: Fall of Grade 7. For September 2027: Crofton House by November 1, 2026 and York House by November 13, 2026Grade 8 is a main entry year. For example, St. George's takes 40–50 new Grade 8 students and Crofton House up to 44.
  • Move into a different catchmentUsually possible
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Before the next school move; you need three documents in a parent's nameYour child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.
  • Secondary outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 8, 9 years from nowThis year's timing: February of Grade 8 (February 5–10 in 2027)A different secondary, if it has space.
  • IB at Port Moody SecondaryCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 8, 9 years from nowTiming, based on last year: During Grade 8; check dates with the schoolIB Foundations in Grades 9–10 and the IB Diploma in Grades 11–12 at Port Moody Secondary, open to students across the district.

Every chance to change course, by grade

Apply in Grade 5 · starts Grade 6

Late French Immersion (middle school)

Late French Immersion at Citadel, Moody or Montgomery middle school, then Dr. Charles Best or Riverside.

When: January 7–13, 2027, during Grade 5. Chances: Random draw with siblings first; results from January 26. No French is needed beforehand.

SD43: programs and services

Apply in Grade 5 · starts Grade 6

Middle school outside your catchment

A different middle school, if it has space. The secondary still follows your address unless you apply again.

When: February 5–10, 2027, during Grade 5. Chances: Siblings are accepted automatically, then Coquitlam residents by random draw, only if there's space.

SD43: cross-catchment

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Catholic secondary from Grade 8

Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Archbishop Carney in Port Coquitlam (tuition about $530 a month for Catholic families and $940 for others).

When: Grade 7; the deadline was around mid-January in past years (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Students from Catholic elementary schools and practising Catholic families come first. Families from public schools can get a place if space remains.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Catholic school admission priorities and tuition · Archbishop Carney: apply

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Private secondary from Grade 8

Grade 8 is a main entry year. For example, St. George's takes 40–50 new Grade 8 students and Crofton House up to 44.

When: Fall of Grade 7. For September 2027: Crofton House by November 1, 2026 and York House by November 13, 2026. Chances: Most schools use an entrance test (often the SSAT), an interview and school reports. Offers come in mid-February.

Crofton House: how to apply · York House: how to apply · St. George's School: day applicants

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Move into a different catchment

Your child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.

When: Before the next school move; you need three documents in a parent's name (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: The most reliable route to a catchment school, as long as it has space.

SD43: registration information · BC School Act, section 74.1: who gets priority for a school place

Apply in Grade 8 · starts Grade 9

Secondary outside your catchment

A different secondary, if it has space.

When: February of Grade 8 (February 5–10 in 2027). Chances: Siblings are accepted automatically, then Coquitlam residents by random draw, only if there's space.

SD43: cross-catchment

Apply in Grade 8 · starts Grade 9

IB at Port Moody Secondary

IB Foundations in Grades 9–10 and the IB Diploma in Grades 11–12 at Port Moody Secondary, open to students across the district.

When: During Grade 8; check dates with the school (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: You apply and are selected.

Port Moody Secondary: IB

Common questions

When does my child change schools in Coquitlam?

Twice: from elementary to middle school at Grade 6, and from middle to secondary at Grade 9. Each move follows your home address unless you apply for a program of choice or cross-catchment.

When is the Coquitlam French Immersion application for 2027?

January 7 at 9 a.m. to January 13, 2027 at 4 p.m., for both kindergarten and Grade 6 Late French Immersion. Places are decided by random draw, with siblings first.

Does Coquitlam have an IB program?

Yes. Port Moody Secondary runs IB Foundations in Grades 9–10 and the IB Diploma in Grades 11–12, open to students across the district.

Other districts: Vancouver · Burnaby · Richmond · North Vancouver · Surrey · West Vancouver · New Westminster · Delta · Langley · Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows

Sources

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