When you picture your family living in West Vancouver, you may already have a school in mind. Before narrowing your home search, it helps to think about the whole weekday: getting to school, travelling to work and making it to after-school activities.
The first question: public or private?
Public school catchments and private school admissions involve different checks. This guide introduces eight schools, explains where to start your research and helps you connect school choices with the practical side of choosing a home.
Eight West Vancouver schools to explore
These are the eight schools featured in this guide, not a ranking or a complete directory. Follow the official links to explore each option and confirm current programs.
| School | Type and grades | Programs and campus notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chartwell Elementary | Public • K–Grade 7 | 1300 Chartwell Drive. Confirm the home’s catchment with the district. |
| Ridgeview Elementary | Public • K–Grade 7 | 1250 Mathers Avenue. Confirm the home’s catchment with the district. |
| Caulfeild Elementary | Public • K–Grade 7 | 4685 Keith Road. Confirm the home’s catchment with the district. |
| École Sentinel Secondary | Public • Grades 8–12 | Advanced Placement and French Immersion. |
| Rockridge Secondary | Public • Grades 8–12 | IB Middle Years Programme in Grades 8–10; Advanced Placement courses in Grades 11–12. |
| West Vancouver Secondary | Public • Grades 8–12 | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. |
| Mulgrave School | Private • Pre-K–12 | IB curriculum. Campus at 2330 Cypress Bowl Lane. |
| Collingwood School | Private • JK–12 | Wentworth: JK–Grade 7, 2605 Wentworth Avenue. Morven: Grades 8–12, 70 Morven Drive. |
IB = International Baccalaureate. AP = Advanced Placement. JK = Junior Kindergarten. Program availability and entry requirements should be checked with each school.
Checking a public school catchment
- Start with the district’s school directory and locator links. Use the full property address, not just the neighbourhood name.
- Confirm the relevant elementary or secondary school with West Vancouver Schools. Ask about your child’s grade, intended start date, required documents and available space.
- If a particular program matters to your family, ask about its application process separately. Do this before relying on a school or program in your home purchase decision.
Considering Mulgrave or Collingwood?
Contact Mulgrave admissions or Collingwood admissions directly about availability, assessments, tuition and timelines. Buying a nearby home does not secure admission. For Collingwood, check which campus your child would attend.
Picture an ordinary school day
A beautiful home can feel very different on a busy weekday. Try the route to school and your workplace at the times you would actually travel. Consider hills, crossings, transit, childcare and activities. If you have children at different campuses, test both journeys.
Questions families ask
Can I choose a school based on the neighbourhood name?
Use the exact home address. A neighbourhood guide or listing description is a starting point; confirm the catchment directly with the district.
Does a home purchase guarantee my preferred school?
Do not treat a purchase as confirmation of a school place. Ask the district about public school placement, and the private school about its own admissions decision.
Which schools offer IB or Advanced Placement?
The district lists AP at Sentinel; IB Middle Years and AP at Rockridge; and the IB Diploma at West Vancouver Secondary. Mulgrave offers an IB curriculum. Check each school’s current course and entry details.
What about younger children?
Chartwell, Ridgeview and Caulfeild are public elementary schools serving Kindergarten to Grade 7. Confirm your home’s elementary catchment, then check the future transition to secondary school separately.
Explore West Vancouver neighbourhoods
Read my West Vancouver guide, Ambleside guide and Caulfeild guide to compare the wider area alongside your school research.
