Grade 7 in BC: what your child learns and what's open to them
33 contests and programs open to grade 7 students in British Columbia. You don't need to do all of them. Pick the ones that match what your child enjoys.
What your child learns in Grade 7
A plain-language summary of the official BC curriculum for grade 7 math and English language arts.
Math
- Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing integers (positive and negative numbers) and decimals, using order of operations.
- Connecting decimals, fractions, ratios and percents (one half = 0.5 = 50%).
- Describing linear relations with expressions, tables and graphs, and solving two-step equations like 3x + 4 = 16.
- Finding the circumference and area of circles, and the volume of rectangular prisms and cylinders.
- Graphing on a coordinate grid with all four quadrants, and combining slides, flips and turns, including tessellations.
- Making and reading circle graphs, and running probability experiments with two events, like rolling two dice.
- Calculating percentages with money, like sales tax, tips, discounts and sale prices.
Reading, writing and speaking
- Reading many forms and genres of text, and looking at characters, setting and story structure.
- Understanding and building arguments, and exploring different perspectives.
- Using reading strategies like questioning, summarizing and making inferences, and noticing imagery and figurative language.
- Writing clear paragraphs with a mix of simple, compound and complex sentences, transition words, correct punctuation and Canadian spelling.
- Noticing differences between formal and informal language and between Canadian and American English.
- Planning presentations in written, spoken or digital form that suit the purpose and audience.
Easy ways to help at home
- Let your child work out the tax or tip at a restaurant or store.
- Talk about temperatures below zero, bank balances or elevation to make negative numbers feel real.
- Debate a friendly family question, like the best pizza topping, and ask for reasons on each side.
- Measure round things at home, like a can or a plate, and compare the distance around to the width.
- Keep reading together or swap books, and talk about them like a small book club.
little and often beats long and hard
What do Emerging, Developing, Proficient and Extending mean on the report card?
- Emerging
- Your child is beginning to understand something in an area of learning. They are still learning but may need more support to move ahead. Emerging doesn't mean your child is unsuccessful in this area.
- Developing
- Your child understands some things in an area of learning but still has other areas to work on. Like Emerging, it doesn't mean your child is unsuccessful in this area.
- Proficient
- Proficient is the goal for your child, and for all students. It means they fully understand the required learning. It doesn't mean their learning stops.
- Extending
- Your child shows a deeper understanding and can apply their learning in new and different ways. Extending is not the goal for all students in every area of learning.
Sources: BC Curriculum: Mathematics Grade 7 · BC Curriculum: English Language Arts Grade 7
Math
Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest
A fun, international multiple-choice math contest from Grade 1. Parents register directly, and the contest is written on a Sunday in March.
Grades 1–12$20 last year if registered by…MathCanada 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 studentMathELMACON Elementary Mathematics Competition
BC's own math competition for Grades 5–7, held in person at UBC on a Saturday in late April or early May. Parents register online.
Grades 5–7$40 last yearMathGauss Mathematics Contest
Canada's best-known middle school math contest for Grades 7 and 8. Written at school between May 10 and 21, 2027.
Grades 7–8$5 per studentMathAMC 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 centreMathCEMC Problem of the Week
A new math problem every Thursday at five levels from Grades 3–4 to Grades 11–12, with the solution a week later. Sign up by email or read it online.
Grades 3–12No fee is listedMathUBC and PIMS Math Circles for Grades 5–7
Monday after-school math workshops at UBC for Grades 5–7, run by math faculty. $5 a session, with registration for each session.
Grades 5–7$5 per session per childCoding
Beaver 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 studentCodingFIRST 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 teamScience
Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair
The regional science fair for Grades 7–12 in Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, the North Shore and nearby districts. The 2027 fair is April 8–10 at UBC.
Grades 7–12$65 per student last yearScienceSouth Fraser Regional Science Fair
The regional science fair for Grades 7–12 in Surrey and Delta, held at KPU Surrey. The 2027 fair is April 7–8.
Grades 7–12$60 per student last yearScienceUBC Geering Up Saturday Clubs
Saturday morning science and engineering clubs at UBC for Grades 1–12, run in fall and winter sessions. Bursaries of up to 90% are available.
Grades 1–12$350 per session for elementary…Language & reading
Spelling 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 yetLanguage & readingVancouver Writers Fest Youth Writing Contest
A free-to-enter short story and personal essay contest for BC students in Grades 5–12. The next contest opens in spring 2027.
Grades 5–12No entry fee is listedLanguage & readingCBC First Page Student Writing Challenge
A national CBC Books challenge for Grades 7–12: write the first page of a novel set 150 years in the future. Usually open for entries in February.
Grades 7–12No entry fee was listed in 2026Language & readingSurrey Libraries Youth Writing Contest
A free writing contest for Surrey residents aged about 12 to 18, with categories for short stories, poems, comics and more. Usually open from May to July.
Grades 7–12FreeLanguage & readingBC Summer Reading Club
A free summer reading program at BC public libraries. Kids track their reading, collect stickers and earn a medal. Runs from about mid-June to August.
K–Grade 8FreeLanguage & readingDELF Prim and DELF Junior French Diplomas (Alliance Française Vancouver)
Official French-language diplomas recognized worldwide. Alliance Française Vancouver lists DELF Prim (ages 8–11) and DELF Junior (ages 12–17), but kids' exam dates aren't posted yet.
Grades 3–12Kids' exam fees not posted yetLanguage & 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 yearArts, music & chess
Royal 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…Arts, music & chessVancouver Kiwanis Music Festival
Metro Vancouver's large music competition festival, with feedback from adjudicators. Solo registration runs November 2, 2026 to January 18, 2027.
K–Grade 12Entry fees vary by classArts, music & chessBC Youth Chess Championship and Canadian Youth Chess Championship
Rated chess tournaments for players under 18. Score 50% at a qualifier, such as the BC Youth Chess Championship, to play at the national CYCC each July.
K–Grade 12Varies by tournamentCamps & enrichment
UBC Geering Up summer STEM camps
Week-long science, engineering and coding day camps run by UBC for kids entering Grades 1–12. Registration opened on February 18 in 2026.
K–Grade 11$410–$490 a week for elementary…Camps & enrichmentScience World spring and summer science camps
Hands-on science day camps at Science World for spring break and summer. Members can book first, and spots sell out quickly.
K–Grade 8About $550 for a 5-day camp in…Camps & enrichmentVancouver community centre summer day camps
Recreation day camps at Vancouver community centres. Since 2026, summer camps open on one city-wide registration day in April.
K–Grade 7Varies by community centre and…Camps & enrichmentCity of Burnaby summer camps
City-run summer camps in Burnaby. Residents get early registration in March, a few days before everyone else.
K–Grade 7Varies by campSchool programs
Independent (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 programsVancouver MACC gifted classes (Grades 5–7)
Full-time classes for gifted students in Grades 5–7, with 40 spaces across Vancouver. Students are referred by their school team, not by a direct application.
Grades 4–7Free through the school systemSchool programsTransition Program for Gifted Students at UBC
An early university entrance program for highly gifted students aged 12–15. Admissions are paused, and no intake has been announced for 2026–27.
Grades 7–9Not applicable while admissions…School programsNorth Vancouver IB programs and academies
The full IB continuum from Kindergarten to Grade 12, with the Middle Years Programme for every Grade 8–10 student at Carson Graham. Grade 8–12 academies charge fees and apply in winter.
Grades 7–10IB through Carson Graham is…School programsSurrey gifted programs, IB and Inter-A
The Challenge Program (Grades 3–7) and MACC classes (Grades 5–7) by school referral, plus IB at Johnston Heights and the Inter-A program at Queen Elizabeth Secondary.
Grades 3–8Free through the school systemPlan ahead: what starts in later grades
Nothing to do yet. It just helps to know these are coming.
- Grade 8Math Challengers BC
- Grade 8UBC Physics Olympics
- Grade 8Coquitlam IB program at Port Moody Secondary (Grade 9 entry)
- Grade 8AMC 10 and AMC 12 (American Mathematics Competitions)
- Grade 9Pascal, Cayley and Fermat Contests
- Grade 9Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (COMC)
- Grade 9Canadian Computing Competition (CCC)
- Grade 9Science World Future Science Leaders
- Grade 10Shad Canada
- Grade 12Euclid Mathematics Contest
Guides for grade 7 parents
Put every deadline in your calendar
One step, no account. Each deadline comes with a reminder a week before, and the calendar updates itself when dates change.