SD42 · What happens if…

Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows: where each school choice leads

In Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, your home address decides your secondary school. The Grade 8 form fills in your catchment secondary automatically from your address, and going to an elementary outside your catchment gives no priority later.

Kindergarten has no lottery. Places go by priority group, then time stamp, so registering on the first day of your phase matters.

French Immersion continues at Maple Ridge Secondary and Pitt Meadows Secondary.

Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows school locator →

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 in the general phase in late January (January 28 to February 3 in 2026). Siblings register earlier, in early January.

  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? Good. In-catchment students come first.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • Register on the first day of your phase: there's no lottery, and time stamps decide.
Ways to change course later
  • Late French ImmersionCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 5, 6 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Spring of Grade 5 (registration opened April 20 in 2026)Late French Immersion at Eric Langton from Grade 6, then French Immersion at Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows Secondary.
  • Transfer to a different secondaryHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: March to early April of Grade 7 (Phase 1 ran March 11 to April 7 in 2026, the best chance)A different secondary, if it has space.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 7; the deadline was around mid-January in past yearsGrade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Archbishop Carney in Port Coquitlam.
  • Private secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: Fall of Grade 7. Meadowridge's deadline for Grades 1–11 is December 31, 2026Meadowridge School (JK–12) and Maple Ridge Christian.
  • IB at GaribaldiCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 7, for the IB Middle Years Programme; check dates with the schoolThe IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma at Garibaldi Secondary.
  • Move into a different catchmentUsually possible
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Before Grade 8 registration in February of Grade 7Your child is registered at the catchment secondary for your new address.

Early French Immersion

Register in the choice phase in mid-January (January 14–19 in 2026). Places go by priority, then time stamp.

  1. Kindergarten to Grade 7Eric Langton, Laity View, Maple Ridge Elementary or Pitt Meadows Elementary.
  2. Grade 8 to 12French Immersion at Maple Ridge Secondary or Pitt Meadows Secondary.

How sure is that secondary place? Good while your child stays in French Immersion.

Cost: Free.

Watch out
  • The choice phase is short, about five days, and comes before general registration.
Ways to change course later
  • Transfer to a different secondaryHard to get
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: March to early April of Grade 7 (Phase 1 ran March 11 to April 7 in 2026, the best chance)A different secondary, if it has space.
  • Catholic secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 7; the deadline was around mid-January in past yearsGrade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Archbishop Carney in Port Coquitlam.
  • Private secondary from Grade 8Competitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowThis year's timing: Fall of Grade 7. Meadowridge's deadline for Grades 1–11 is December 31, 2026Meadowridge School (JK–12) and Maple Ridge Christian.
  • IB at GaribaldiCompetitive
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Grade 7, for the IB Middle Years Programme; check dates with the schoolThe IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma at Garibaldi Secondary.
  • Move into a different catchmentUsually possible
    Apply in Grade 7, 8 years from nowTiming, based on last year: Before Grade 8 registration in February of Grade 7Your 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

Late French Immersion at Eric Langton from Grade 6, then French Immersion at Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows Secondary.

When: Spring of Grade 5 (registration opened April 20 in 2026) (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Spaces are limited. No French is needed beforehand.

SD42: French Immersion

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Transfer to a different secondary

A different secondary, if it has space.

When: March to early April of Grade 7 (Phase 1 ran March 11 to April 7 in 2026, the best chance) (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Catchment students and siblings come first. Out-of-catchment students are sixth of seven priority groups.

SD42: secondary transfer guidelines 2026–27 (PDF)

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Catholic secondary from Grade 8

Grade 8 is the main entry year for Catholic secondaries. Nearby: Archbishop Carney in Port Coquitlam.

When: Grade 7; the deadline was around mid-January in past years (based on last year; check for new dates). 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 · Archbishop Carney: apply

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

Private secondary from Grade 8

Meadowridge School (JK–12) and Maple Ridge Christian.

When: Fall of Grade 7. Meadowridge's deadline for Grades 1–11 is December 31, 2026. Chances: Each school sets its own process, usually an application, interview and school reports. Offers come in February.

Meadowridge School: admissions

Apply in Grade 7 · starts Grade 8

IB at Garibaldi

The IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma at Garibaldi Secondary.

When: Grade 7, for the IB Middle Years Programme; check dates with the school (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Ask the school about entry from other catchments.

SD42: academies and programs

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 Grade 8 registration in February of Grade 7 (based on last year; check for new dates). Chances: Reliable: the address at registration decides the catchment.

SD42: student registration · BC School Act, section 74.1: who gets priority for a school place

Common questions

Is there a kindergarten lottery in Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows?

No. Places go by priority group, then time stamp, so register on the first day of your phase.

Does an out-of-catchment elementary lead to its secondary?

No. The secondary is set by your home address. Out-of-catchment students can apply to transfer, starting in March of Grade 7.

Can my child join French Immersion later?

Yes, through Late French Immersion at Eric Langton, which starts in Grade 6.

Other districts: Vancouver · Burnaby · Richmond · North Vancouver · Surrey · Coquitlam · West Vancouver · New Westminster · Delta · Langley

Sources

Last checked October 2, 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm with the organizer.