General K-12 Registration Questions
Q: When will I know of our school placement?
A: We aim to have the have all placements made by May, after which time you will hear from the school. In rare circumstances, we will hold off in an effort to accommodate your placement request.
Q: We are planning to move to North Vancouver next fall. What should I do if I don't have an address at this time?
A: You may register your child without a residence in North Vancouver, but placement is largely determined by your residence relative to your school of choice. Placement will be delayed till you have a permanent address.
Q: How do I fill in the boxes at the top of the registration form (North Van Catchment Area School, 1st Placement Request, 2nd Placement Request)?
A: There are 3 boxes at the top of the registration form
- 1st box = catchment school (school closest to your home address based on school district catchment boundaries – use “School Locator" on our website if unsure)
- 2nd box = 1st Placement Request (if you would like your child to attend your catchment school then the catchment school name goes in this box as well) and indciate the program you are requesting (Eng/FI).
- 3rd box = 2nd placement request (if the 1st placement request is not possible we will look at your 2nd placement request) and indciate the program you are requesting (Eng/FI).
Q: My child has medical concerns. How do I let the district know?
A: If your child has medical concerns, please note the medical concerns on your child's registration form.
Q: Is registration on a first come, first served basis?
A: No. All registrations received by the initial placement window will be treated equally. There is no benefit gained from applying on the first day. All applications received AFTER the end of the priority placement window will be dealt with in the order in which they were received after those received in the priority placement window. Initial Placement window for Kindergarten close just prior to Winter Break. Initial Placement window for Grade 1-12 close just prior to Spring Break.
Q: Is my child expected to attend kindergarten if they aren't ready?
A: Parents/guardians may defer the start of kindergarten by one year.
Q: Where do I get information on the curriculum taught in Kindergarten?
A: On the Ministry Of Education website.
French Immersion
Q: If I get placed in French Immersion and later decide that we don't want my child in the French Immersion Program can we go to our catchment school?
A: You would need to come into Central Registration and put in a Transfer Request Form to request placement at your catchment school. Placement would be dependent on space. You would be placed on the Kindergarten waitlist for your catchment school if there is no space at the time when you submit your transfer request.
Q: Do I have to list 2 French Immersion Schools?
A: If you would only like to attend 1 specific French Immersion School then only put that school down. Putting a second French Immersion choice could result in a placement you don't want and would exclude you from the waitlist for your first choice of school.
Q: If we are not successful with the French Immersion Lottery will we be placed on the waitlist for the French Immersion schools requested?
A: Yes you will be placed on the waitlist of both French Immersion schools if you were unsuccessful in begin placed in either. The waitlist is valid for the entire kindergarten year but it does not carry over to grade 1.
Q: If we are placed at the 2nd French Immersion Placement Request will we be put on the waitlist for the 1st French Immersion Placement Request?
A: No
Q: What can I do if I don't get my 1st Placement School Request or my 2nd Placement School Request?
A: If you do not get either placement requests please come into Central Registration, you may submit a transfer request, however you are only prioirized for placement at your catchment school.
Q: Can I list a French Immersion school/program as my second request and list a non-catchment English school/program as my first request?
A: If you list an English school/program as your first request you will not be included in the French Immersion Lottery.
Q: If I want my child to attend a specific school for the French Immersion program as the first request and for the English program as the second request, how do I indicate this on the form?
A: Please indicate the requested program after the school name. For example:
- 1st placement request: Braemar (FI)
- 2nd placement request: Braemar (Eng)
English Language Learning (ELL)
Q: My child doesn't speak English. Will my child receive English language support?
A: Yes, there are English Language Learning (ELL) teachers in all elementary schools.
Note: Please remember to indicate that your child speaks a language other than English on the kindergarten registration form.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme
Q: Is there a specific registration form for the IB Primary Years Programme and Middle Year Programme?
A: No, the registration form is the same. However, if you would like your child to be placed in an IB programme, you would need to request one of our schools which offers IB (Norgate Community, Capilano Elementary, Queen Mary Community for PYP and MYP. Carson Graham for MYP).
Q: Does my child have to participate in the IB programme of their catchment school?
A: Yes, if your catchment school is one of our four IB schools (Norgate Community, Capilano Elementary, Queen Mary Community, Carson Graham), your child will be enrolled in the IB programme. All students in kindergarten to Grade 7 at Norgate Community, Capilano Elementary and Queen Mary Community school will be part of the IB PYP or MYP Programme. All students in Grade 8-10 at Carson Graham will be part of the MYP Programmme.
Q: IS there a specific application for the IB Diplomma Programme?
A: Yes. The Diplomma Programme is for Grade 11&12 students only and if offered at Carson Graham. Students interested in the Diplomma Programme should visit the Diplomma Programme Wesbite: The IB Diploma Programme - Carson Graham Secondary (sd44.ca)
