October: what BC parents need to know
Contests and programs where families usually register, apply or take part in October. Exact dates are on each page and marked when confirmed.
Canada Jay Mathematical Competition
A national 90-minute contest for students in Grade 8 and below, with a division for Grade 4 and under. Written in school on November 19, 2026.
Grades 4–8$12 per studentCodingBeaver Computing Challenge
Computational-thinking puzzles, no coding needed. Written online at school, November 9–20, 2026. Schools must order by October 26.
Grades 5–10$3 per studentMathCanadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC)
Canada's national high school math challenge and the path to the Canadian Math Olympiad. Written October 29, 2026.
Grades 9–12$30–$35 per student through a…CodingFIRST LEGO League (Explore and Challenge) in BC
Team LEGO robotics for ages 6–14. Teams must register with FIRST by October 31, 2026 to compete at BC qualifiers in January.
Grades 1–8Paid per teamCodingFIRST Tech Challenge in BC
Team robotics for Grades 7–12. Teams design, build and code a robot. The Lower Mainland qualifier is December 5, 2026 in Surrey.
Grades 7–12Paid per teamScienceUBC Physics Olympics
A hands-on team physics competition for BC high schools at UBC. The 2027 event is Saturday, February 27. Schools register teams in the fall.
Grades 8–12$80 per team last yearScienceShad Canada
A month-long summer STEAM and entrepreneurship program for Grade 10 and 11 students. Apply by November 8, 2026 for early decision, or by January 6, 2027.
Grades 10–11Free to applyLanguage & readingSpelling Bee of Canada
A national spelling bee for ages 6 to 14 with a British Columbia & Vancouver chapter. Registration for the 2027 program opens October 16, 2026.
Grades 1–9Fee for 2027 not posted yetArts, music & chessRoyal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program Exams
Graded music and theory exams used across Canada. For the January 2027 practical exams, register by November 3, 2026.
K–Grade 12Fees depend on the subject and…Language & readingBC Debate and Public Speaking Tournaments (DSABC)
School-based debate and public speaking tournaments that lead to BC and national championships. Junior public speaking starts in Grade 6.
Grades 6–12School membership is $200 a yearSchool programsIndependent (private) school admissions in Metro Vancouver
Most Metro Vancouver independent schools take applications in the fall for the next September. For 2027 entry, many deadlines fall between October 29 and December 3, 2026.
K–Grade 11Application fees were $50–$350…School programsVancouver mini schools (Grade 8 entry)
Enriched Grade 8 programs at Vancouver secondary schools. Grade 7 students register with the district in November–December, then apply to each program separately.
Grade 7Free to applySchool programsNorth Vancouver kindergarten registration and French Immersion
Priority kindergarten registration for September 2027 runs October 15 to December 15, 2026. You choose English or French Immersion in the same online form.
K–Grade 5Free to registerMathAMC 8 (American Mathematics Competitions)
A 25-question, 40-minute US math contest for Grade 8 and below, open to Canadian students through a host school or centre. Written January 21–27, 2027.
Grades 5–8Set by the host school or centreMathAMC 10 and AMC 12 (American Mathematics Competitions)
75-minute US high school math contests, open to Canadian students through a host. Written November 5 (A) or November 13 (B), 2026.
Grades 8–12Set by the host school or centre