Selecting a school in Canada can seem like the most nerve-wracking aspect of moving with children. Web resources rarely reveal what daily life is truly like, and each family has its own priorities. This guide concentrates on practical questions and a straightforward decision framework — particularly for families preparing to relocate to Vancouver.
First: Determine What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before you compare schools, set out your non-negotiables. Most choosing mistakes arise when families weigh everything at once without a clear set of priorities.
- Commute: the amount of time spent driving each day matters more than you might realize.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: the linguistic setting your child is exposed to throughout the day.
- Support: learning assistance, ESL support, and pastoral care.
- Culture fit: the school's structure, discipline, and manner of communication.
How to Decide Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A practical method that works well for expatriate families:
A straightforward process
- Shortlist by location first. In Vancouver, traffic can turn a decent school into a daily grind.
- Verify availability and the admissions timeline. Waiting lists are common.
- Inquire about the classroom reality. Class sizes, teacher turnover, communication style.
- Ask about support services. ESL / learning support / transition support for new students.
- Make a single visit (or virtual tour) for each finalist. Trust your own observations over glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Create a one-page checklist and rate each school after visiting. It helps avoid the feeling that "everything is the same."
Questions Worth Asking About Schools
These questions often uncover more than broad “tell us about your program” discussions:
- What is the typical class size for this age?
- How do you handle new students mid-year?
- How do teachers communicate with parents (weekly updates, apps, email)?
- What does a typical day look like (start and end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support kids who are anxious or adjusting to a new country?
- What is the policy on language support (ESL) if needed?
- How is heat and indoor/outdoor time managed during hotter months?
Costs & Logistics (The Part Nobody Loves)
Choosing a school isn’t only about tuition. Consider the complete daily expense:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing by reputation alone: the daily routine matters more.
- Ignoring commute time: it affects sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means the same everywhere: it doesn’t.
- Not asking about support: transitions are real for kids.
- Waiting too long: admissions timelines can be tighter than expected.
The Bottom Line
The best school is usually the one that fits your family’s real routine: location, support, and day-to-day comfort for your child — not the one with the flashiest marketing.
If you'd like help weighing priorities for Vancouver (commute, routines, questions to ask), get in touch — or call +1 604 555 0143.