British Columbia private high schools

In British Columbia, private and independent schools are a popular choice for parents. Approximately 12.1% of the province's student population attend a private or independent school (source: Measuring Choice and Competition in Canadian Education, the Fraser Institute, February 27, 2014).

Some popular schools in BC include boarding, special needs, boys, girls, and faith-based (such as Christian, Jewish, Catholic, and Islamic). BC also has schools featuring an alternative curriculum, such as Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia.

Enrichment Programs

Many British Columbia private high schools offer enrichment programs including Advanced Placement (AP) International Baccalaureate (IB), and gifted programs. AP refers to courses administered by the College Board. If your child scores a 4/5 or a 5/5 on an AP exam, he or she may receive a university course credit that applies to their university transcript. IB is a comprehensive program that is more challenging than the regular high school curriculum. The IB diploma program requires students to take courses in six subject areas and complete more community service than the province mandates. The schools seek to foster citizens of the world, rather than mere students.

Many private schools exceed the requirements of the provincial curriculum, as they try to make high school as much like university as they possibly can. Many BC private high school listed below have superb track records in university placement.

Extracurricular Activities and Extra Help

Extracurricular activities are an important part of learning outside of the classroom. Many universities and employees look for well-rounded students. British Columbia's private secondary schools offer diverse extracurricular options.

High school is a big jump from middle and elementary school. To avoid falling behind, your child might need special assistance outside of the classroom. Private schools in British Columbia are known to have dedicated teachers who will spend extra time with your child to ensure that he or she understands the material.

Provincial Funding for Private High Schools in B.C.

If British Columbia's government determines that a private school has substantially contributed to the province, it will receive a provincial grant. Schools collect grants according to the number of enrolled students. The province pays full grants for students who are "enrolled for a minimum of 600 hours from July 1 to May 15 of the school year." Schools qualify for partial grants for students who "receive less than 600 hours of instruction."

B.C. also offers special education grants to aid schools in "meeting the expenses associated with adapting or modifying the educational programs for students who qualify for special education grants." BC Education has additional information about independent school funding classifications.

Independent School Regulation

In British Columbia, the Office of the Inspector of Independent schools enforces all aspects of the province's School Act, which establishes every school's duties. Even if a private school is not funded, it is still subject to strict regulations and inspections. However, the more a school is funded, the more requirements it must meet. While independent schools have freedom in their teaching styles, educational philosophies, and curricula, they are still required to meet provincial standards, such as educating students in English language, math, science, social studies, and French. Of course, private schools are very likely to greatly exceed standards set by the province.

Meet with British Columbia's top ranked private schools and the best boarding schools across Canada at the Vancouver Private School Expo in November. Learn about schools in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, and elsewhere. This one-day event is a must for any parent or student considering an alternative education.