Parents sometimes wish for their children to attend a school that is not their catchment school.
School District 43 uses a random draw process for Cross Catchment Applications (using in-district priority, then out-of-district).
If enrollment projections show that space is available, Cross Catchment transfer applications will be accepted in accordance with the following priorities:
- sibling of a child who will be in attendance at the Cross Catchment school in the following year;
- a child residing within the SD43 residential boundaries (could include private or homeschool); and
- non-school district resident child.
For schools with capacity issues, the district may use grade and program-specific placements as well as one-to-one school placements to accommodate student movement in the process.
The School Locator tool on the District web site provides a student's designated catchment area schools. Catchment is based on permanent home address. Student address must correspond to the address in the school's record system.
There are two separate applications:
- Kindergarten Cross Catchment
- Grades 1-12 Cross Catchment (including a section to confirm sibling status)
Important Information About Schools at Capacity
A cross catchment application does not guarantee approval of the cross catchment request as many factors influence the number of cross catchment requests that each individual school can accommodate.
For example, a number of schools are near, or have reached, capacity and it is anticipated they will continue to be in this position for the next few years. Be aware that the District can only approve cross catchment applications up to the current and future available space in any given school and students within the catchment have priority for placement.
*Coast Salish is at/near capacity and will currently accept sibling requests from cross-catchment applications. Should space become available, consideration for families from the Smiling Creek Elementary school catchment would be given next priority.*
** Smiling Creek Elementary School is at/near capacity and will only accept sibling requests from cross catchment applications.
The following schools are at/near capacity and will greatly limit the number of cross catchment applications accepted:
- École Dr. Charles Best Secondary School
- Glen Elementary School
- James Park Elementary School
- Lord Baden Powell Elementary School
- Moody Elementary School
- Minnekhada Middle School
- Roy Stibbs Elementary School
Approval of a cross catchment application is only applicable to the designated school requested by the student and assigned by the District.
Changing levels from elementary to middle, or middle to secondary school, outside of the student's assigned catchment school requires a cross catchment application and approval.
Application Process for Cross Catchment
- Applications will be processed based on the availability of space in schools and on a RANDOM DRAW PROCESS. (using in-district priority then out-of-district)
- The application requires the student Personal Education Number (PEN) (can be found in the MyEd BC Family Portal), child's birth date, home address, name of current or assigned school, and the name of the requested school(s). For students starting Kindergarten in September, you do not need to provide the student number/ PEN.
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All Kindergarten students must be registered for Kindergarten at their catchment school between Tuesday, February 4, 2025 and Thursday, February 6 2025. using the online form on their catchment school website. Cross Catchment Applications may only be completed after registration at catchment schools.
- If your child will be starting Kindergarten in September and has an older sibling who will still be attending the same elementary school in September (even if it's not your neighbourhood catchment school), you can register directly at the school during Kindergarten Registration, which takes place from February 4 to 6. You do not need to fill out a Cross Catchment Application.
- If you have been accepted into a Program of Choice (French Immersion, Mandarin Bilingual and Montessori) for September, you do not need to apply for cross catchment. Please follow the instructions as mentioned on your school's acceptance letter.
- If your child will be entering Grades 1-12 in September and has an older sibling at a school outside your catchment, you will be accepted at the sibling's school (provided the sibling will be in attendance the following school year). Parents still need to complete the Cross Catchment Application confirming sibling status.
- If your child is from an independent/ private school / out-of-district school AND you live within SD43's catchment area (Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Village of Anmore and Belcarra), please do not apply for cross catchment. Email your New Student Registration Form and required documentation to the school directly and inform them of your child's start date.
- If your child is from an independent/ private school / out-of-district school, you will need to apply for cross catchment on the posted dates.
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International Students
- Ministry-funded international students (Work permit, Study permit, Diplomat) may apply during the Cross Catchment application period.
- Fee-paying international students should contact the International Education office for questions regarding their catchment school.
Telephone:604.936.5769
To apply for Cross Catchment
Cross Catchment applications are now closed.
Parents/guardians will receive an email about the application results during the first week of March. Schools will contact successful applicants shortly after.
