Programs of Choice
Programs of Choice for the 2026-2027 School Year are Closed.
The application process for the 2027-2028 School Year will be open from January 7 - 13, 2027.
The school district offers a variety of educational programs of choice for students that require registration.
Families who wish to register for Kindergarten Programs of Choice (French Immersion, Mandarin Bilingual and Montessori) or Late (Grade 6) Programs of Choice (French Immersion and Montessori) typically apply during the Programs of Choice Application Period (early January).
For a helpful summary about program information and registration periods including Kindergarten, Cross Catchment, French Immersion, Montessori, and Mandarin Bilingual, please click the buttons below.
Programs of Choice
Interactive Map of Programs of Choice Schools
To apply for Programs of Choice for September 2027:
Applications for Programs of Choice (French Immersion, Montessori, Mandarin Bilingual) for September 2027 (School Year 2027-28) will open starting 9:00 am January 7, 2027 to January 13, 2027 at 4:00pm. The application link will be available on the front page of our website at www.sd43.bc.ca.
- Kindergarten Program of Choice parents will be notified by email on the status of their application beginning Monday, January 25th
- Late (Grade 6) Program of Choice parents will be notified by email on the status of their application beginning Tuesday, January 26th.
Families who have been accepted into a program of choice do not need to apply for cross catchment. The school will provide directions regarding registration.
FAQs for Kindergarten Applications for Programs of Choice
Q1. How many students can a Program of Choice take? [+]
There are many variables that determine how many students a school can take. It depends on school capacity and projected enrollment. Maximum Kindergarten class sizes are set by Provincial mandate.
Q2. What happens if my child doesn’t get in? Am I on a waitlist? [+]
The number of applications will exceed the number of space for each program. Students are given a random draw number. Children who are not placed into a Program of Choice are placed on a waitlist in order of random draw number and will be maintained until the end of the first week of September. Please do not contact the school regarding your child’s place on the waitlist. The school will contact you if space becomes available. If your child is not placed into a Program of Choice, you must register your child at their catchment school. Please check the school website for the dates of registration.
Q3. My child will have an older sibling in the same school/same program next year. Do I still have to apply? [+]
Yes, you still must apply in order to have your child enter the Program of Choice. If you do not apply, your child will not enter that Program of Choice.
Q4. What happens if my older child is in Grade 5 and will be leaving the school in the following September? Is my incoming kindergarten child still eligible for sibling priority? [+]
The older sibling must be in attendance in the school for September. If the older sibling is currently in Grade 4 and will still be attending the school in September, your Kindergarten student child qualifies for sibling priority. This gives them the highest priority for entry into the program at that school.
If the sibling is currently in Grade 5 and will be moving to middle school in September, your Kindergarten child does not qualify for sibling priority since the older sibling will no longer be attending the following school year.
Q5. Can I apply for more than one Program of Choice? [+]
Yes, you can apply for up to three (3) Programs of Choice. However, we ask that you only apply for programs that you only seriously intend to register your child.
Q6. I want a specific French Immersion school and a specific Montessori school because they are closer to my home. What do I do when I have the option to select multiple schools for French Immersion and Montessori? [+]
If proximity is the most important thing for your family, only pick those specific schools closest to your home. Also, we believe that parents choose a program because they believe that is what they want for their kids which is why we select by program first.