SD38 · What happens if…

Richmond: where each school choice leads

In Richmond, students are normally registered at the catchment secondary for their home address. Going to an elementary outside your catchment doesn't give an automatic place at its secondary. The district lists a "Grade 7 cohort" as one transfer priority, but doesn't explain what that means.

French Immersion has its own boundaries and continues at McMath or McRoberts.

Richmond has no Catholic secondary of its own. Catholic families usually look at St. Patrick's in Vancouver.

A catchment address isn't a guarantee. If your catchment school is full, your child goes to the nearest school with space, and then stays there.

Richmond catchment map (PDF) →

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 between November 1 and mid-January (Priority 1). A lottery is used if your catchment school is full.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 7Your catchment elementary school.
  2. Grade 8 to 12Your catchment secondary school, set by your home address.

How sure is that secondary place? Not guaranteed. If the catchment school is full, your child goes to the nearest school with space.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • This is the default. Unless you apply for something else, your address picks the secondary.
Ways to change course later
  • Late French ImmersionCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 5, 6 years from nowTiming, based on last year: November 1 to mid-January of Grade 5 (November 1, 2025 to January 16, 2026 last year)Diefenbaker or Whiteside for Grades 6–7, then McMath (from Diefenbaker) or McRoberts (from Whiteside).
  • Transfer to a different secondaryHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: February of Grade 7 (Round 1 was February 9–27, 2026)Your child goes to a different secondary, if it's open to transfers.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Fall of Grade 7; check dates with St. Patrick'sGrade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: St. Patrick's Regional Secondary in Vancouver, which serves Richmond parishes.
  • 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 three documents showing a Richmond addressYour 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 Richmond Secondary.

Early French Immersion

Apply November 1 to mid-January through the District Program Options application. In 2026, offers came on February 10.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 7A French Immersion elementary: Anderson, Bridge, Dixon, Gilmore, Homma or Mitchell.
  2. Grade 8 to 12McMath (from Dixon, Gilmore and Homma) or McRoberts (from Anderson, Bridge and Mitchell).

How sure is that secondary place? Good while your child stays in French Immersion. Siblings and families inside the French Immersion boundary come first.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • Accepting French Immersion cancels your child's catchment registration, and the catchment seat isn't guaranteed if you switch back later.
Ways to change course later
  • Transfer to a different secondaryHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: February of Grade 7 (Round 1 was February 9–27, 2026)Your child goes to a different secondary, if it's open to transfers.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Fall of Grade 7; check dates with St. Patrick'sGrade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: St. Patrick's Regional Secondary in Vancouver, which serves Richmond parishes.
  • 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 three documents showing a Richmond addressYour 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 Richmond Secondary.

Every chance to change course, by grade

Apply in Grade 5 · starts Grade 6

Late French Immersion

Diefenbaker or Whiteside for Grades 6–7, then McMath (from Diefenbaker) or McRoberts (from Whiteside).

When: November 1 to mid-January of Grade 5 (November 1, 2025 to January 16, 2026 last year) (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Siblings come first, then families inside the French Immersion boundary, then other Richmond residents. A random draw decides places within a group.

Richmond School District: elementary French Immersion

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Transfer to a different secondary

Your child goes to a different secondary, if it's open to transfers.

When: February of Grade 7 (Round 1 was February 9–27, 2026) (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Siblings come first. Some schools close to transfers: Steveston-London was closed to Grade 8 transfers in 2025.

Richmond School District: transfer applications

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Catholic secondary from Grade 8

Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: St. Patrick's Regional Secondary in Vancouver, which serves Richmond parishes.

When: Fall of Grade 7; check dates with St. Patrick's (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

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 three documents showing a Richmond address (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: The most reliable route, but a catchment address still isn't a guarantee if the school is full.

Richmond School District: how to register (PDF) · 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 Richmond 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.

Richmond School District: International Baccalaureate

Common questions

Does my elementary school decide my secondary school in Richmond?

Mostly no. Your home address decides your catchment secondary. French Immersion is the exception: it leads to McMath or McRoberts.

Is there a Catholic secondary in Richmond?

No. St. Patrick's Regional Secondary in Vancouver serves Richmond parishes.

Does Richmond publish French Immersion waitlist numbers?

No. The district says it doesn't share a student's waitlist position or the size of the list.

Other districts: Vancouver · Burnaby · North Vancouver · 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.