SD37 · What happens if…

Delta: where each school choice leads

In Delta, the elementary your child attends decides the secondary. Delta's rules say students moving from Grade 7 to Grade 8 "will be automatically assigned to their secondary feeder school", even if they came from outside the catchment.

That makes the kindergarten choice especially important here. Getting into a secondary's feeder elementary early is the easiest way to that secondary.

French Immersion continues at Burnsview (North Delta) or South Delta Secondary (Ladner and Tsawwassen).

Delta catchment area maps →

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 online in February (February 9–20 in 2026). After that, register in person at the school.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 7Your catchment elementary school, or a non-catchment elementary if you're accepted there.
  2. Grade 8 to 12The secondary your elementary feeds.

How sure is that secondary place? High. Students are assigned automatically to their elementary's feeder secondary.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • If your catchment school is full, your child is sent to the nearest school with space, and that school sets the secondary.
Ways to change course later
  • Late French ImmersionCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 5, 6 years from nowTiming, based on last year: January of Grade 5 (January 4 to February 12 in 2026)Chalmers (North Delta) or Cliff Drive (Ladner and Tsawwassen) for Grades 6–7, then Burnsview or South Delta Secondary.
  • Apply to a secondary outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: First Monday of February to first Friday of March of Grade 7 (February 2 to March 6 in 2026). Register at your catchment school firstA different secondary, if it has space. Decisions come around mid-May, and there's no transportation.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: Fall of Grade 7. Vancouver College's deadline is December 1, 2026Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Holy Cross in Surrey, or Vancouver College (boys, 108 Grade 8 places, $10,100).
  • Private secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: Fall of Grade 7. Southpointe's deadline is December 4, 2026Southpointe Academy in Tsawwassen, a K–12 IB school (tuition $27,300).
  • Move into a different catchmentUsually possible
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Before kindergarten ideally, because the elementary sets the secondary hereYour child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.
  • IB Diploma at SeaquamCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 10, 11 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 10, for Grades 11–12The IB Diploma program at Seaquam Secondary.

Early French Immersion

Apply in January (January 4–22 in 2026, results February 8). A random draw breaks ties within each priority group.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 7South Park, Ladner, Richardson, Devon Gardens or Sunshine Hills, each with its own French Immersion area.
  2. Grade 8 to 12Burnsview for North Delta French Immersion schools, or South Delta Secondary for Ladner and Tsawwassen.

How sure is that secondary place? Good while your child stays in French Immersion.

Cost: Free. There's no busing.

Watch out
  • Delta expects French Immersion families to commit through Grade 12.
  • A student who leaves French Immersion goes back to the catchment school, but the district warns you may lose your catchment place.
Ways to change course later
  • Apply to a secondary outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: First Monday of February to first Friday of March of Grade 7 (February 2 to March 6 in 2026). Register at your catchment school firstA different secondary, if it has space. Decisions come around mid-May, and there's no transportation.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: Fall of Grade 7. Vancouver College's deadline is December 1, 2026Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Holy Cross in Surrey, or Vancouver College (boys, 108 Grade 8 places, $10,100).
  • Private secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: Fall of Grade 7. Southpointe's deadline is December 4, 2026Southpointe Academy in Tsawwassen, a K–12 IB school (tuition $27,300).
  • Move into a different catchmentUsually possible
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Before kindergarten ideally, because the elementary sets the secondary hereYour child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.
  • IB Diploma at SeaquamCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 10, 11 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 10, for Grades 11–12The IB Diploma program at Seaquam Secondary.

Every chance to change course, by grade

Apply in Grade 5 · starts Grade 6

Late French Immersion

Chalmers (North Delta) or Cliff Drive (Ladner and Tsawwassen) for Grades 6–7, then Burnsview or South Delta Secondary.

When: January of Grade 5 (January 4 to February 12 in 2026) (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Families in the French Immersion area come first, siblings ahead, with a random draw for ties. No French is needed beforehand.

Delta School District: French Immersion

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Apply to a secondary outside your catchment

A different secondary, if it has space. Decisions come around mid-May, and there's no transportation.

When: First Monday of February to first Friday of March of Grade 7 (February 2 to March 6 in 2026). Register at your catchment school first (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Catchment students come first, then non-catchment siblings, then others, with ties decided by lot. Some schools have taken siblings only.

Delta School District: non-catchment registration

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Catholic secondary from Grade 8

Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Holy Cross in Surrey, or Vancouver College (boys, 108 Grade 8 places, $10,100).

When: Fall of Grade 7. Vancouver College's deadline is December 1, 2026. 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 · Vancouver College: admissions

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Private secondary from Grade 8

Southpointe Academy in Tsawwassen, a K–12 IB school (tuition $27,300).

When: Fall of Grade 7. Southpointe's deadline is December 4, 2026. Chances: Each school sets its own process, usually an application, interview and school reports. Offers come in February.

Southpointe Academy: admissions

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 kindergarten ideally, because the elementary sets the secondary here (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Moving helps most if you do it before choosing an elementary. Once your child is in a Delta elementary, they're assigned to its feeder secondary.

Delta School District: new to Delta · BC School Act, section 74.1: who gets priority for a school place

Apply in Grade 10 · starts Grade 11

IB Diploma at Seaquam

The IB Diploma program at Seaquam Secondary.

When: Grade 10, for Grades 11–12 (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Ask the school about entry from other catchments.

Delta School District: International Baccalaureate

Common questions

Does an out-of-catchment elementary lead to its secondary in Delta?

Yes. Delta automatically assigns Grade 7 students to their elementary's feeder secondary, even if they live outside its catchment.

Where do Delta French Immersion students go to high school?

North Delta French Immersion students go to Burnsview. Ladner and Tsawwassen students go to South Delta Secondary.

What if we missed Delta's February kindergarten registration?

Register in person at your catchment school. If it's full, your child is placed at the nearest school with space.

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

Sources

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