Why Burnaby School District?
Families who want to live in Vancouver without the density of the city centre often ask about Burnaby. It suits parents looking for a university-preparatory public school in the middle of the metropolitan area.
- University-focused students: Those who want AP courses to strengthen applications to North American universities.
- Families who want a big city: Those who value easy transport and proximity to the airport.
- Students who want a short-term experience: Those who want to try a 3 to 4 month program before committing to a full year.
Reasons: the concrete features that make Burnaby stand out
The district has 49 schools and 27,000 students. International students join the same classes as Canadian students, and the features below support that integration.
- Strong AP program: One of Canada's largest AP programs, with an AP Capstone Diploma option, so students can take university-level courses in high school.
- Dogwood Diploma: Graduates receive British Columbia's Dogwood Diploma, which opens application routes to Canadian and North American universities.
- Central location: Burnaby is 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver, giving easy access to the city's cultural offerings.
- Eight high school options: Eight high schools accept international students, so placement can match each student's interests.
- Academies: Academies in soccer, ice hockey, volleyball and lacrosse, plus visual arts, performing arts and information technology, support development outside the classroom.
- ESL support: The district gives priority to English support, so students still developing their language skills can move gradually into academic classes.
- Three intake periods: Students can start in September, February or April, and there is no fixed final application deadline, which makes family planning easier.
Cost analysis: what one school year costs
| Item | CAD | As published on CAPS-I |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, one school year | 17,500 | $17,500 |
| Application fee | 250 | $250 |
| Health insurance | see text | $7,50 |
| Homestay, full year | see text | varies by homestay provider; please confirm directly with them. |
| Total of the published items, without homestay | 17,750 | Homestay is priced by the homestay provider and is not included in this total. |
Tuition alone works out to about CAD 1,750 per school month over a 10-month year. Flights, pocket money, the study permit fee and biometrics are not included.
The tuition figure comes from the district's CAPS-I page. We could not confirm it, or the school year it applies to, on the district's own website on 11 October 2026; we request the current fee schedule for you before you apply.
The other items are taken from the district's CAPS-I member page, read on 11 October 2026. Items shown as "see text" could not be read as a single amount and are left out of the total.
How this fee compares
At CAD 17,500, this fee is CAD 1,500 above the median of CAD 16,000 among 35 public school districts in British Columbia.
Outcome: what it means for the student and family
Together these features make Burnaby a high school experience that combines big-city amenities with university preparation.
- Graduating ready for university: AP courses and the Dogwood Diploma together strengthen the application file.
- Plenty of language practice at home: No more than two international students stay with one host family, and students who speak the same first language are not placed together.
- Custodianship covered: Host families also act as custodians. Each student gets a private room, three meals a day and a snack.
- Nature and city together: A quarter of the area is green space, and three local mountains are within 35 minutes for skiing and hiking.
Who it suits and what to consider
- Suitable profile: Students with clear academic goals who can act independently in a large, multicultural city.
- Costs: Annual tuition is CAD 17,500. Add a CAD 250 application fee and CAD 750 for health insurance. Homestay costs vary by provider, so families should confirm the current fee with the school before applying.
- Large program: The district has about 900 international students. Families who want a small setting with few international students should take this into account.
To find the right match among Burnaby's eight high schools and their AP options, book a free preliminary consultation with Canadian Edu Centre.