SD41 · What happens if…

Burnaby: where each school choice leads

In Burnaby, students move to the secondary that serves the catchment where they live. Going to an elementary outside your catchment doesn't give your child a place at that school's secondary. The one exception is an elementary catchment that's split between two secondaries.

French Immersion has its own secondary catchments and continues at Alpha, Cariboo Hill or Moscrop.

A catchment address gives priority, not a guaranteed seat. Students who register late can be placed at the nearest school with space.

Find your catchment school (Burnaby student planning) →

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 at your catchment elementary in February. You must already live in Burnaby to register.

  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? High, but not guaranteed if the school is full.

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: February of Grade 5 (dates are posted by October 31)Armstrong or Marlborough for Grades 6–7, then French Immersion at Alpha, Cariboo Hill or Moscrop.
  • Apply to a secondary outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: February of Grade 7Your child goes to a different secondary, if it has space.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: November 2026 to January 2027, for Grade 8 in September 2027Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: St. Thomas More Collegiate in Burnaby (about 135 Grade 8 offers a year; tuition $9,300).
  • 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 must already live in the new catchmentYour child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.

Early French Immersion

Apply in February for kindergarten or Grade 1 (dates are posted by October 31 each year). A lottery is held in early March.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 7A French Immersion elementary: Aubrey, Brantford, Inman/Cascade Heights, Marlborough, Seaforth, Sperling or Westridge.
  2. Grade 8 to 12French Immersion at Alpha, Cariboo Hill or Moscrop, set by your secondary French Immersion catchment.

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

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • If your child leaves French Immersion at Grade 8, they go to your English catchment secondary.
Ways to change course later
  • Apply to a secondary outside your catchmentHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: February of Grade 7Your child goes to a different secondary, if it has space.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: November 2026 to January 2027, for Grade 8 in September 2027Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: St. Thomas More Collegiate in Burnaby (about 135 Grade 8 offers a year; tuition $9,300).
  • 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 must already live in the new catchmentYour child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.

Every chance to change course, by grade

Apply in Grade 5 · starts Grade 6

Late French Immersion

Armstrong or Marlborough for Grades 6–7, then French Immersion at Alpha, Cariboo Hill or Moscrop.

When: February of Grade 5 (dates are posted by October 31) (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: A lottery is used if there are more applicants than spaces. No French is needed beforehand.

Burnaby Schools: Late French Immersion

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Apply to a secondary outside your catchment

Your child goes to a different secondary, if it has space.

When: February of Grade 7 (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Siblings and families using district childcare come first, then Burnaby residents, with a lottery if a school is oversubscribed. Several Burnaby secondaries have been crowded in recent years.

Burnaby Schools: Administrative Procedure 412, admission and placement (PDF) · Burnaby Now: overcrowding at Burnaby schools

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Catholic secondary from Grade 8

Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: St. Thomas More Collegiate in Burnaby (about 135 Grade 8 offers a year; tuition $9,300).

When: November 2026 to January 2027, for Grade 8 in September 2027. 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 · St. Thomas More Collegiate: admissions

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 must already live in the new catchment (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.

Burnaby Schools: registration · BC School Act, section 74.1: who gets priority for a school place

Common questions

Does my elementary school decide my secondary school in Burnaby?

No. Your home address decides your catchment secondary. An out-of-catchment elementary doesn't give priority at its secondary, except where an elementary catchment is split between two secondaries.

What happens if my child leaves French Immersion in Burnaby?

They go to the English program at your catchment secondary.

Can my child start French Immersion in Grade 6 in Burnaby?

Yes. Late French Immersion starts in Grade 6 at Armstrong and Marlborough. You apply in February of Grade 5.

Other districts: Vancouver · Richmond · 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.