SD40 · What happens if…

New Westminster: where each school choice leads

New Westminster has three levels: elementary (K–5), middle school (6–8) and one secondary for the whole city, New Westminster Secondary (NWSS).

Students move up automatically to the middle school for their home address. Going to an elementary outside your catchment gives no priority later. Since every middle school leads to NWSS, the real choices here are programs: French Immersion, Montessori and IB.

New Westminster 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 November 2, 2026 (9 a.m.) to January 29, 2027 (4 p.m.) for September 2027. A random draw is used only if a school is full, with siblings first.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 8 (elementary, then middle school)Your catchment elementary, then your catchment middle school (Glenbrook, Fraser River or Queensborough).
  2. Grade 9 to 12 at New Westminster SecondaryNew Westminster Secondary.

How sure is that secondary place? Very high. Every middle school leads to NWSS.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • If your catchment elementary is full, your child goes to the nearest school with space and is waitlisted until September 30.
Ways to change course later
  • Late French ImmersionCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 5, 6 years from nowThis year's timing: January 4 to February 5, 2027, during Grade 5Two Grade 6 classes at Glenbrook Middle, then French Immersion at New Westminster Secondary.
  • Middle school outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 5, 6 years from nowTiming, based on last year: February of Grade 5 (first Monday to last Friday of February)A different middle school, if it has space. The secondary is still NWSS.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: November 2026 to January 2027, for Grade 8 in September 2027. Info night December 8, 2026Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: St. Thomas More Collegiate in Burnaby (tuition $9,300).
  • 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.
  • IB Diploma at NWSSCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 10, 11 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 10, for Grades 11–12The IB Diploma program at New Westminster Secondary.

Early French Immersion

Apply January 4 to February 5, 2027 through Programs of Choice. Offers come on the last Friday of February.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 8 (elementary, then middle school)École Herbert Spencer or École Lord Tweedsmuir, then Glenbrook Middle.
  2. Grade 9 to 12 at New Westminster SecondaryFrench Immersion at New Westminster Secondary, leading to a bilingual (Double Dogwood) diploma.

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

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • Each school has only one French Immersion kindergarten class.
  • A student who leaves French Immersion is expected to return to their catchment school.
Ways to change course later
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: November 2026 to January 2027, for Grade 8 in September 2027. Info night December 8, 2026Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: St. Thomas More Collegiate in Burnaby (tuition $9,300).
  • 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.
  • IB Diploma at NWSSCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 10, 11 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 10, for Grades 11–12The IB Diploma program at New Westminster Secondary.

Every chance to change course, by grade

Apply in Grade 5 · starts Grade 6

Late French Immersion

Two Grade 6 classes at Glenbrook Middle, then French Immersion at New Westminster Secondary.

When: January 4 to February 5, 2027, during Grade 5. Chances: Limited to two classes. No French is needed beforehand.

New Westminster Schools: French Immersion

Apply in Grade 5 · starts Grade 6

Middle school outside your catchment

A different middle school, if it has space. The secondary is still NWSS.

When: February of Grade 5 (first Monday to last Friday of February) (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Out-of-catchment applications are currently closed except for siblings.

New Westminster Schools: AP 300, admissions (PDF)

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Catholic secondary from Grade 8

Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: St. Thomas More Collegiate in Burnaby (tuition $9,300).

When: November 2026 to January 2027, for Grade 8 in September 2027. Info night December 8, 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 · St. Thomas More Collegiate: 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 10 · starts Grade 11

IB Diploma at NWSS

The IB Diploma program at New Westminster Secondary.

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

NWSS: International Baccalaureate

Common questions

Will my child go to New Westminster Secondary?

Almost certainly, if they stay in the public system. It's the only secondary in New Westminster, and every middle school leads to it.

Does an out-of-catchment elementary carry over to middle school in New Westminster?

No. Middle school follows your home address. Otherwise you apply for a transfer in February, and right now only siblings are accepted.

What if we missed French Immersion in kindergarten?

You can try Grade 1 entry, or Late French Immersion at Glenbrook Middle, which starts in Grade 6. Apply January 4 to February 5, 2027.

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

Sources

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