Our District

Mar 17, 2023

The Vancouver School Board is a large, urban and multicultural school district. We are committed to providing the highest quality learning experience for all students, helping them to reach their intellectual, social, and physical potential in a safe and inclusive environment.

We acknowledge that we live, work and play on the unceded and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations; and for this we are thankful. It is with respectful consideration that the programs and services are provided to students and families to honour cultural protocols of these communities. Learn more about our Indigenous Education programs.

The Vancouver School District is among the most diverse public school systems in Canada with an annual enrolment of approximately 48,500 students in Kindergarten to grade 12. In addition, the Vancouver School District provides educational programs and services to full-time Adult Education students.

Our Mission

To enable students to reach their intellectual, social, aesthetic and physical potential in challenging and stimulating settings which reflect the worth of each individual and promote mutual respect, cooperation and social responsibility.

Our students

28,000 elementary students
19,000 secondary students
2,100 self-identified Indigenous students from nations located across Canada
1,200 international students
2,500 Adult Education students
2,500 students in distributed learning programs
5,000 French Immersion students
10,000 students take summer school courses

44% speak a language other than English at home
140 languages have been identified in our schools
2,200 daily meals are served to students in school meal programs

Our schools

89 elementary schools including 12 annexes
18 secondary schools
1 Vancouver Alternate Secondary School (VASS)
1 Adult Education school
1 distributed learning school (Vancouver Learning Network)

Our programs and services

District programs include Early and Late French Immersion, Intensive French, Mandarin Bilingual, Fine Arts, Indigenous Focus School, International Baccalaureate and Montessori
Learning Services Support programs address a wide range of needs from remedial to enrichment
12 Community School Teams

Our programs and services address the extraordinary and complex challenges associated with a diverse district. Our goal is to serve the needs and tap the potential of each of our students so that they may achieve their unique potential.

Vancouver schools are involved in a wide range of partnerships with cultural, arts, and service organizations. The district also offers a multitude of services and program options to meet student interests and needs.