SD44 · What happens if…

North Vancouver: where each school choice leads

North Vancouver works differently from most districts: the secondary follows the school your child attends. The Grade 7 class at each elementary moves on together to that school's "receiving" secondary.

That makes the kindergarten choice matter more here than anywhere else in Metro Vancouver. French Immersion has no catchment at all. Places are given by a district-wide lottery, and each French Immersion elementary feeds a set secondary: Argyle, Handsworth or Windsor.

A catchment address still doesn't guarantee a seat if there's no space.

North Vancouver families of schools →

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

Priority registration runs October 15 to December 15, 2026, for kindergarten in September 2027.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 7Your catchment elementary school.
  2. Grade 8 to 12The secondary that receives your elementary's Grade 7 class, which is usually your catchment secondary.

How sure is that secondary place? Good. The Grade 7 class moves on together. If your elementary is outside your catchment, confirm with Central Registration.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • Choosing an elementary here largely chooses the secondary too.
Ways to change course later
  • French Immersion from Grade 1Competitive
    Apply in Kindergarten, 1 year from nowThis year's timing: From January 4, 2027, with a Transfer Request during kindergartenFrench Immersion from Grade 1, which then feeds Argyle, Handsworth or Windsor.
  • Late French ImmersionCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 5, 6 years from nowTiming, based on last year: January to March of Grade 5 (January 2 to March 13 in 2026)Boundary or Braemar for Grades 6–7, then a French Immersion secondary (Argyle, Handsworth or Windsor), whatever your address.
  • Transfer to a secondary outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Late January to early March of Grade 7Your child goes to a different secondary, if it has space.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: October 14 to November 30, 2026, for Grade 8 in September 2027Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: St. Thomas Aquinas (120–130 Grade 8 places; tuition about $5,550–11,750 depending on parish membership).
  • 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 you register; you need a purchase with subjects removed or a lease, plus a utility billYour child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.
  • IB DiplomaCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 10, 11 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 10, for Grades 11–12The IB Diploma program at Carson Graham, which also runs the IB Middle Years Program.

Early French Immersion

Choose French Immersion on the same kindergarten form (October 15 to December 15, 2026) and list up to two schools. Places are decided by district-wide lottery.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 7A French Immersion elementary: Braemar, Cleveland, Dorothy Lynas, Larson, Ross Road or Sherwood Park.
  2. Grade 8 to 12Argyle (from Larson and Ross Road), Handsworth (from Braemar and Cleveland) or Windsor (from Dorothy Lynas and Sherwood Park; some Braemar students go to Windsor too).

How sure is that secondary place? Strong. French Immersion students move on automatically to their receiving secondary, wherever they live.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • Placement is by lottery, so you can't count on a particular French Immersion school.
  • If your child leaves French Immersion, they return to your catchment school.
Ways to change course later
  • Transfer to a secondary outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Late January to early March of Grade 7Your child goes to a different secondary, if it has space.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: October 14 to November 30, 2026, for Grade 8 in September 2027Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: St. Thomas Aquinas (120–130 Grade 8 places; tuition about $5,550–11,750 depending on parish membership).
  • 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 you register; you need a purchase with subjects removed or a lease, plus a utility billYour child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.
  • IB DiplomaCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 10, 11 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 10, for Grades 11–12The IB Diploma program at Carson Graham, which also runs the IB Middle Years Program.

Every chance to change course, by grade

Apply in Kindergarten · starts Grade 1

French Immersion from Grade 1

French Immersion from Grade 1, which then feeds Argyle, Handsworth or Windsor.

When: From January 4, 2027, with a Transfer Request during kindergarten. Chances: A separate lottery for Grade 1 places.

NVSD: registration

Apply in Grade 5 · starts Grade 6

Late French Immersion

Boundary or Braemar for Grades 6–7, then a French Immersion secondary (Argyle, Handsworth or Windsor), whatever your address.

When: January to March of Grade 5 (January 2 to March 13 in 2026) (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Places are decided by lottery if there are more applicants than spaces. No French is needed beforehand.

NVSD: French Immersion registration

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Transfer to a secondary outside your catchment

Your child goes to a different secondary, if it has space.

When: Late January to early March of Grade 7 (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Catchment families with siblings come first, then catchment families, then out-of-catchment siblings. Other out-of-catchment students aren't kept on a waitlist.

NVSD: Administrative Procedure 605, admission (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 Aquinas (120–130 Grade 8 places; tuition about $5,550–11,750 depending on parish membership).

When: October 14 to November 30, 2026, for Grade 8 in September 2027. 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 Aquinas: admissions

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 you register; you need a purchase with subjects removed or a lease, plus a utility bill (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Reliable for the catchment elementary. Because the secondary follows the elementary here, moving late in elementary school may matter less than in other districts. Check with Central Registration.

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

Apply in Grade 10 · starts Grade 11

IB Diploma

The IB Diploma program at Carson Graham, which also runs the IB Middle Years Program.

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

NVSD: International Baccalaureate

Common questions

Does my elementary school decide my secondary school in North Vancouver?

Yes, mostly. The Grade 7 class at each elementary moves on to that school's receiving secondary. That's different from most other Metro Vancouver districts, where your address decides.

Does French Immersion in North Vancouver depend on where I live?

No. French Immersion places are decided by a district-wide lottery, and each French Immersion elementary feeds a set secondary: Argyle, Handsworth or Windsor.

When is the Late French Immersion application in North Vancouver?

During Grade 5. In 2026 it ran from January 2 to March 13. The 2027 dates haven't been posted yet.

Other districts: Vancouver · Burnaby · Richmond · Surrey · Coquitlam · 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.