Education and Schools in Vancouver

British Columbia has one of the top-rated school systems in Canada, consistently ranked among the best, and the standard of education and schools in Vancouver is generally excellent. Vancouver is a great city for families with children.

The Fraser Institute ranks and compares schools in North America, and you should consult this report when looking for the right school and district in Vancouver.

Public schools in Vancouver

Public schooling in Vancouver is free and available to permanent residents and work visa holders. Schooling in British Columbia is divided into two levels: elementary (Kindergarten to Grade 7) and secondary school (Grades 8 to 12). Children must attend school from the age of 5 to 16. The quality of Vancouver’s public schools is relatively high across the board, although the most prestigious schools tend to be located in the city’s more affluent areas.

There are 12 school districts in the Metro Vancouver area, and placement at a public school depends on your child’s proximity to a particular school’s catchment area. Public school catchment areas in Vancouver are geographic zones that determine which school a student is designated to attend based on their residential address. If you want to enrol your child in a public school, you should carefully consider where you choose to live in the metro area.

Useful links

• Fraser Institute School Rankings
• Vancouver School Board Catchment Locator 

Private and international schools in Vancouver

Vancouver has several excellent private schools. Unlike public schools, private school enrolment is selective and independent of your residential address. You should apply in advance to secure a place for your child at your first choice. Private schools are managed independently and can follow their curricula, but they still adhere to the British Columbia Ministry of Education’s regulations. Some even receive partial funding from the provincial government.

There are also numerous international schools in Vancouver and the greater British Columbia region if you want your child to continue their education under your home country’s curriculum. Parents should consider the different curricula offered by private and international schools.

Some schools follow the BC curriculum, while others offer International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) options. Each approach has its unique benefits – IB focuses on developing critical thinking and global awareness, and AP can help students earn college credits while still in high school. Choosing the right fit depends on your child’s learning style and future goals.

Education at private and international schools can be a significant investment. If you are moving to Vancouver as part of a corporate relocation, try to factor this into your contract negotiations if planning to send your child to an independent school.

Useful links

• BC Ministry of Education 

Tertiary education in Vancouver

If you want to enrol at a university or college, Vancouver has plenty of options. The University of British Columbia (UBC) deserves special mention. It is just 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver, and its leafy western perch on the coast at Point Grey is a spectacular location.

In addition to UBC, other notable institutions in the area include Capilano University, Vancouver Film School, Simon Fraser University (SFU), British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

Special-needs education in Vancouver

British Columbia endeavours to educate all students with diverse learning needs in inclusive settings. The province provides flexible programming that is responsive to all students' learning needs and wellness.

The Vancouver School Board (VSB) offers specialists, counsellors, and support staff who collaborate with classroom teachers to meet diverse learning needs. These district support services are accessed through the School-Based Team, a group of educators and specialists dedicated to supporting student needs at each school, ensuring that the unique needs of each student are addressed effectively. 

The province also offers Provincial Outreach Programmes that help educators, students, and families create an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

If, after collaborative discussions with the school learning team, your family is interested in alternative education options, the province’s school board offers several opportunities and specialised means for various students. These include students with visual or auditory impairments, those with learning, emotional or medical needs, learning disabilities, mental health issues, as well as gifted students. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are commonly developed to tailor educational approaches to each student’s unique requirements.

Useful links

• Diverse Learning Needs Support

Tutors in Vancouver

Hiring a tutor is popular among local and expat parents in Vancouver. If you’re unsure where to start searching for a tutor, your child’s school and other expat parents may be a good starting point. Tutors can be particularly useful in helping your child adjust to a new curriculum or learn a new language, assist in specific subjects, or prepare them for university entrance exams.

Tutoring can also help children build confidence, especially if they’re struggling to keep up in a particular subject. One-on-one support allows tutors to address your child’s individual needs, providing a personalised approach that can be difficult to achieve in a classroom setting.

Little House Tutoring and Sealy Tutoring are both well-known for their experienced tutors and customised learning plans. Another highly recommended option is Prep Academy Tutors of Vancouver, which employs certified teachers to deliver in-home and online tutoring across various subjects. Large Tutoring is another popular choice. It is known for its flexible scheduling and dedicated tutors, providing a personalised learning experience tailored to individual needs.

Useful links

• Little House Tutoring 
• Sealy Tutoring 
• Prep Academy Tutors of Vancouver 
• Large Tutoring