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Grades 1-12 School Registration

Student Registration Process

Registering for a Vancouver School Board school is a two-step process.

Step 1: Submit an Online Application

Complete an online application through ApplyNow.
After you submit your application, you will automatically receive an email directing you to complete a documentation verification appointment at either:

    • Your catchment school, or
    • The Newcomer Welcome Centre

Please refer to Step 2: Document Verification for information about how this determination is made.

Important: Submitting an online application does not complete the registration process or reserve a school placement. Registration is only considered complete once a parent or guardian has met with a Registrar or Office Administration Assistant and all required documents have been reviewed and verified in-person.

Before applying, families must be able to provide proof that they are residing within the City of Vancouver. Applications cannot be finalized until acceptable proof of residence has been provided and verified.

Step 2: Complete Document Verification

All applications require in-person document verification before a student can be enrolled.
The location where document verification takes place is determined by:

    • The time of year the student is registering;
    • The student's birthplace and primary language;
    • The citizenship or immigration status of the student and parent(s) or legal guardian(s)

Where will I complete my document verification for registration?

Pathway 1: Your Catchment School
You will be directed to your catchment school if:

    • Your child was born in Canada; and,
    • English is the primary language spoken at home; and,
    • At least one parent or legal guardian is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident; and,
    • Registration is taking place during the school year.

Pathway 2: The Newcomer Welcome Centre
You will be directed to the Newcomer Welcome Centre if: 

    • The student was not born in Canada, or
    • English is not the primary language spoken at home, or
    • The parent or legal guardian(s) hold immigration documentation that requires review.

Please visit the Newcomer Welcome Centre website for additional information. The Newcomer Welcome Centre provides language support where necessary, and ensures new to BC families with children eligible for publicly funded education are registered.

Pathway 3: Summer Registration (July and August)
During the summer months, school offices are closed. Therefore, all new student registrations are processed through the Newcomer Welcome Centre for document verification and registration support.

Need Help?
If you are unsure which registration pathway applies to your family, complete the ApplyNow application. You will automatically receive instructions directing you to the appropriate location to complete document verification.

Grade 7 Students Currently Attending a VSB School

Students who are actively attending a VSB elementary school do not need to register separately for Grade 8. Their current school will support the transition to secondary school and provide information about next steps.

Enrolment Priorities and Deadlines

Catchment School Registration

Priority enrolment for students in Grades 1–12 applying to attend their catchment school takes place from: November 1 to the Second Friday in June
Families are encouraged to apply as early as possible during this period.

Cross-Boundary Applications

Cross-boundary applications are accepted from: February 1 to February 28
A cross-boundary application allows a student to request attendance at a school outside of their designated catchment area.

Important:
If you would like your child to attend a school outside of their catchment area:

  1. Apply to your catchment school first.
  2. Submit a separate cross-boundary application between February 1 and February 28.
    Cross-boundary placement is not guaranteed. Learn more about the cross boundary application process here. 

District Programs

  1. First apply to your catchment school.
  2. Then submit the required application for the District Program.

District Program applications are separate from regular school registration. 

Learn more about available District Programs:


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