The Vancouver School Board welcomes international students to apply to its international student program for the 2025-26 school year!  To apply online, please click HERE.  For questions, please contact the International Education office at intered@vsb.bc.ca.

Secondary School Applicants: September 2025 entry and February 2026 entry (Grades 8-12)

Year-long applications and limited one-semester applications are being accepted now for the 2025-26 school year. 

Our secondary schools currently follow a semester system where students study 4 courses per semester.

It is important to check with a homestay provider to ensure that homestay placement is possible in the area of your preferred schools. 

Detailed information about available schools is here.

Secondary student orientation is planned for August 25 and 26, 2025 and classes begin September 2, 2025.  Semester 2 is expected to begin February 2, 2026.

Elementary School Applicants: September 2025 entry (Grades 1-7)

Elementary applications open on Friday, January 24, 2025 through our online portal.  Apply early as applications will close in early February when available spaces have filled.

Some Vancouver schools welcome year-long applications from international students, subject to available grade space. Our elementary schools follow a linear system.

1. Kindergarten is NOT available until mid-April 2025.
2. Elementary school spaces are limited.  The VSB has 89 elementary schools. 
3. Please indicate the area of the city where you will live for school preferences.  Do not list these schools with NO available spaces:  Maple Grove, Quilchena, Shaughnessy, Laurier, Jamieson, Cavell, False Creek, McKechnie, Carr, Sexsmith, David Lloyd George, Norma Rose Point, Bayview, Lord Roberts, Tyee & all downtown schools, and others. 
4. School placements will be made mid-February. 
5. Students must attend the grade level according to their birthdate: