Admissions FAQ

Open House is an excellent opportunity for parents and students to learn more about our Faith and Learning Community. Speakers include the Vancouver College Board of Directors, Administrative Team, and a student from the graduating class.

This year's Open House will take place on November 14, 2023. Stay tuned for registration. 

Online applications are accepted at any time throughout the year, however, applications for the 2023-24 school year MUST be received by Tuesday, January 10, 2023.

Applications submitted after the deadline will be placed on our waitlist.

There is a one-time, non-refundable application fee of $175. Our online application system will prompt you for your Visa or MasterCard information.

Intake years at Vancouver College are Kindergarten, and Grades 4, 7, and 8. Typically, the number of spaces per grade level is as follows:

• Kindergarten - 26 seats
• Grade 4 - 2 seats
• Grade 7 - 26 seats
• Grade 8 - 112 seats

Applicants may also be admitted at other grade levels as openings occur.

Vancouver College is a diverse faith and learning community. While all applicants are considered, the Administration Team reserves the right to exercise its admissions decisions in the best interest of Vancouver College and its Mission, Vision and Values.

While consideration will be given to all applicants, as a Catholic school and in the tradition of Blessed Edmund Rice, priority consideration will be given to applicants within the following guidelines:

• Siblings
• Sons of Alumni or Grandsons of Alumni
• Sons of Staff Members
• Catholics (Baptized Practicing Catholics)
• Other Applicants who value a Catholic learning community

All admission decisions will be made by the Administrative Team. In all of the above cases, extenuating circumstances may affect the application priorities.

In keeping with the charism of our founder Blessed Edmund Rice, Vancouver College is committed to providing an exceptional Catholic educational experience while keeping tuition fees accessible.

We encourage all families who seek a Vancouver College education for their son to apply.

Together, the Board of Directors of Vancouver College, the President and Principal and the entire Administration highly value the importance of a vibrant Blessed Edmund Rice Financial Assistance Program in living out the Mission of the school.

For information regarding tuition fees, our financial assistance program, and concessions for families with multiple sons, please visit our Tuition and Financial Aid page. If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Finance and Facilities Management, Mrs. Kelly Lattimer, at klattimer@mail.vc.bc.ca.

Vancouver College offers two Kindergarten classes of 13 students each. To be eligible for Kindergarten, boys must be five years old by the 31st of December of the year they begin Kindergarten.

All Kindergarten applications are evaluated and parents will be contacted regarding mandatory family interviews conducted by the Assistant Principal and Kindergarten teachers. Families will receive information to book an interview which may be in-person or virtual, depending on BC health and safety guidelines.

All interviews will be held on January 16, 17, 23 and 24, 2023.

For more information, please contact our Registrar, Mr. Michael Potusek, at registrar@mail.vc.bc.ca.

Vancouver College accepts applications for Grade 4 and  all non-intake  grade levels in Elementary School. 

Grade 4 - There are two (2) spaces offered in Grade 4 annually. Grade 4 applicants will receive an email early  January 2023 with further details about writing an in-person assessment (entrance exam) on January 18 at 3:30 pm.

Applicants for other grades are placed on a waiting list, and should an opening occur, families will be notified accordingly.

For more information, please contact our Registrar, Mr. Michael Potusek, at registrar@mail.vc.bc.ca.

There are typically 26 spaces in Grade 7 offered annually and 112 spaces in Grade 8.

There are no entrance exams for Middle School applicants.

Grade 7 and 8 candidates should be available for a video interview on January 27, 2023 (between 12 pm to 4 pm). All candidates that submitted their complete application before the January 10, 2023 deadline will be contacted for an interview.

Applicants for Grade 9 are placed on a waiting list, and should an opening occur, successful applicants will be notified.

For more information, please contact our Registrar, Mr. Michael Potusek, at registrar@mail.vc.bc.ca.

Vancouver College accepts applications for all grade levels. In the event an opening becomes available in Grades 10, 11, or 12, qualified applicants will be contacted and interviewed by the Senior School Assistant Principal and/or School Principal.

For more information, please contact our Registrar, Mr. Michael Potusek, at registrar@mail.vc.bc.ca.

While Vancouver College accepts international students, space for such students is limited given that the school serves the local Catholic community. We do not offer an international student program or related services.

International Students apply as all other applicants; however, they are required to submit specific supporting documents (in English or officially translated into English).

Supporting Documents: International Students

Please note:

1. As education is a partnership between the school and families, we strongly recommend that at least one parent resides with the international student in Greater Vancouver.
2. Vancouver College does not offer assistance with homestay accommodation, medical insurance, immigration services, etc.
3. International Students applying to Middle and Senior schools (Grade 7 – 12) must submit SSAT results taken within six months of their application. The requirement may be waived if the applicant is currently attending an International School and has sufficient proof of English proficiency that satisfies the Administration's requirements. Proof of proficiency includes a sample of work submitted during that academic year that is signed by the applicant's Principal or Head of School.
4. Qualified short-listed applicants will be interviewed in-person or online by the Principal and/or Assistant Principal at a pre-arranged, mutually convenient time.

Vancouver College is an inclusive faith and learning community. If your son has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), we ask that you please upload this document during the Online Application Process. Doing so will help us evaluate your son’s application and more importantly ensure that Vancouver College can support his learning needs.

Once your son is accepted and the registration process completed, a member of our Learning Centre will be in touch to arrange a family meeting between April and June, to prepare for the following school year and to ensure your son receives the best support possible while at Vancouver College.

If you receive your son's 1st term report card after January 10, 2023, you can email it to registrar@mail.vc.bc.ca and we will add it to your son's file.

After the Administration team has reviewed all applications, parents of all applicants will be notified by email regarding the status of their son's application by the first week of March.

Upon acceptance, parents will be sent information by email for our Online Registration Portal. All requested forms and supporting documents must be submitted together with a non-refundable tuition deposit of $1,000 ($3,000 for International Students) by the deadline stated in the acceptance offer. Please note the registration will not be considered complete unless all of the registration requirements are submitted to the school's Registrar by the deadline.

Tuition Statements will be sent in August with details regarding payment options.

If your son is not accepted for the upcoming school year he will automatically be placed on a waiting list.

In October, all applicants who are still on the waiting list will be sent an email with a "Request to Keep Application on File." Please respond to this email and complete the requirements. If you wish for your son to remain on the waiting list and be considered for the following school year.

For this reason, it is the parents/guardian's responsibility to provide a valid and current email address for communication purposes in the application.

Parents must notify the Registrar at registrar@mail.vc.bc.ca  of any changes in contact information.

Vancouver College is pleased to offer our Finnegan After School Care Program with facilities on campus. We have limited space for after-school sessions from 2:45 pm - 5:30 pm.

We will consider applications for this program once students have been accepted and completed the registration process. Siblings and returning students will have priority. This program is only in operation during school days (i.e. no child care service will be available on Pro-D days, statutory holidays, and summer vacation). For more information, please contact our    Elementary School Assistant Principal, Ms. Barbara Seppelt  at bseppelt@mail.vc.bc.ca.