Background:

Students who are not eligible for enrolment in the West Vancouver School District as non-fee paying students because they and their parent or guardian are not ordinarily resident in British Columbia or are not otherwise exempt from paying tuition fees under the Ministry of Education and Child Care Eligibility of Students for Operating Grant Funding policy, may be enroled as fee-paying students in the School District through the District International Programs Department.  The British Columbia Ministry of Education and Child Care does not provide funding for such students. Fees are charged to cover the costs of education. 

Requirements for Enrolment: 

Students may be enroled through the International Programs Department as full-time students at both the elementary and secondary levels for a fee if they are accepted following an application process and meet the following requirements: 

The student’s English language proficiency, prior academic record, educational and health needs, and other relevant information indicate that the District can provide an appropriate educational program and placement for the student; 

The student will live in either an approved host or with their parent(s) or legal guardian/ custodian who will maintain adult (over twenty-five (25) years of age) supervision of the student throughout the study period. Elementary school students will only be enroled if they are living with a parent/legal guardian or otherwise have the approval of the Superintendent or designate; 

The appropriate fees for the program, including the application fee, medical insurance fees, program fees and host placement fees (as required) have been paid, or appropriate arrangements for their payment have been made; 

 The student is legally eligible to study in Canada and obtains any necessary permits and visas or other documentation required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; and 

If the student has been accepted into a specialty program within the District such as International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, Premier Academies, or other specific school-based programs, payment of additional fees to cover the costs associated with these kinds of programs, as determined by the District, have been made. In addition, payment of applicable course fees for standard courses, as established and published annually by the District, has been made. 

Enrolment in Short Term Programs 

Students may be enroled through the West Vancouver School District International Programs Department as short-term students at both the elementary and secondary levels for a fee if they are accepted following an application process and meet the following requirements: 

The appropriate fees for the program have been paid, or appropriate arrangements for their payment have been made; 

They reside in accommodation approved by the District’s International Programs Department with adult supervision or with a parent/legal guardian throughout the study period; 

They demonstrate proof of adequate medical insurance or obtain appropriate insurance coverage from a private insurer through the District’s International Programs Department. 

Exceptions to Requirement for the Payment of Fees:   

Students may be enroled in District schools without paying international student fees if they fall within one (1) of the following categories and meet the applicable funding requirements: 

They are eligible for enrolment as a provincially funded student because they and their parent/guardian are ordinarily resident in British Columbia; 

They are attending a West Vancouver school on a reciprocal and equal exchange. This exchange must be on a “one in/one out” basis with a District student attending the same school or school district from which the incoming student was enrolled, for the same length of time, with both sides of the exchange being completed within a two (2) year period;   

They are a refugee claimant resident in British Columbia with a positive Notice of Decision or an acknowledgement letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, whose refugee claim has not yet been determined; 

They are a child of a parent(s) who has been admitted for temporary residence in Canada, who holds a Study Permit valid for a term of one (1) year or more, and who can demonstrate proof of continued enrollment in a degree or diploma programme at a public post-secondary institution in British Columbia or in a degree programme at a private post-secondary institution in British Columbia.   

They are the child of a parent who has lawfully been admitted to Canada, for temporary residence, who holds a Work Permit valid for a term of one (1) year or more, who is  resident in British Columbia and who is or will be employed for at least 20 hours per week. The request for enrolment of the child must be accompanied by the Letter of Employment and adequate proof of legitimate employment as evidenced by pay receipts issued by the employer or other relevant documents.   

They are the child of a parent(s) who has been admitted as a temporary resident in Canada under a teacher exchange program with a public school in British Columbia; or 

They are the child of a parent(s) who is carrying out official duties under the Visiting Forces Act or as a diplomatic agent, pre-clearance officer, consular official of official representative in Canada of a foreign government; or 

They are a student for whom funding for a British Columbia public school education is otherwise provided under the Ministry of Education and Child Care Eligibility of Students for Operating Grant Funding – Province of British Columbia policy. 

In all cases, eligibility for provincial funding must be supported by documentation satisfactory to the District and may be reviewed or audited during the school year. If a student no longer meets the applicable eligibility requirements, the student may be required to enrol as a fee-paying student through the International Programs Department. 

September 2026