Best Schools in Vancouver by Neighbourhood (Public & Private) 

Choosing the right neighbourhood often comes down to more than just housing—it’s about finding the best schools for your children. At Vancouver Home Hub, we understand that families need clear, local insight. Here’s your guide to top public and private schools in key Vancouver areas, along with catchment info, Fraser Institute scores, and community perspectives.

Understanding Catchment Areas in Vancouver

School catchment determines where your child is eligible to enroll. Use the official Vancouver School Board’s “School Locator” tool to enter any address and see its elementary and secondary boundaries. According to parents on r/askvan, being in-catchment is important due to high waitlists—even a few blocks can make a difference Hill & Harbour Realty+1Hill & Harbour Realty+1Reddit+1Vancouver School Board+1.

Catchments update regularly—so always verify before making a purchase.

Public Elementary Schools

Here are some of Vancouver’s top public elementary schools, based on Fraser Institute 2024 scores:

1. Sir William Osler Elementary – Fairview

Address: 870 Jervis St, Vancouver, BC V6E 3Y6
Fraser Score: Approx. 9.0/10
Located in Fairview (near brunch spots and False Creek), Osler is in catchment for South Granville and Kitsilano families. Refer to the catchment map PDF VSB Media+1Reddit+1.

2. Edith Cavell Elementary – Fairview/Shaughnessy

Address: 5300 Trafalgar St, Vancouver, BC V6N 1C2
Fraser Score: 8.8/10
Catchment covers family-friendly streets in South Granville and Shaughnessy.

3. Lord MacNeill Elementary – Kerrisdale

Address: 1959 W 38th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6M 1W1
Fraser Score: 9+
Located in a primarily residential, upper-middle-class district.

4. Norma Rose Point School – West Point Grey

Address: 4395 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6R 2L3
Fraser Score: 9.5+
Westside families prize it for its strong academic reputation.

Public Secondary Schools

1. Kitsilano Secondary

Address: 2706 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2G1
Fraser Score: ~8.8/10
Educates students from Kits and Fairview, near beaches and cafes.

2. Eric Hamber Secondary

Address: 7278 Hamber St, Vancouver, BC V5P 3H5
Fraser Score: ~9/10
Offers strong IB, sports, and arts programs. Catchment includes Mount Pleasant, Fairview, and parts of Riley Park.

3. Point Grey Secondary

Address: 5350 East Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6M 3V2
Fraser Score: ~9.2/10
Another top Westside option, with a highly academic peer group.

Top Private & Independent Schools

York House School

Type: Girls’ independent (K–12)
Address: 4175 W 29th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6S 1T7
Fraser Institute Rank: #1 in BC
York House School is top-ranked and academically elite The Germyn GroupWikipedia.

Crofton House School

Type: Girls’ independent (K–12)
Address: 3200 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6N 3E1
Fraser Institute Rank: Tied for #1
Crofton House School is another academically leading private school The Germyn Group+13Wikipedia+13Reddit+13.

Little Flower Academy

Type: Catholic girls’ school (8–12)
Address: 4195 Alexandra St, Vancouver, BC V6J 4C6
Consistently top-ranked among provincial secondary schools .

Vancouver Independent School for Science & Technology (VISST)

Type: Co-ed STEM-focused (8–12)
Address: 1490 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 4E8
A newer STEM-focused high school attracting tech-minded families .

Fraser Institute Rankings & Academic Notes

BC’s annual Fraser Institute report covers nearly 950 elementary schools and around 250 high schools, using academic indicators like FSA results Yahoo Finance+2Fraser Institute+2Fraser Institute+2. While rankings are helpful, r/NiceVancouver commenters urge caution, pointing out that rankings miss local context and teacher quality Reddit+1Reddit+1.

Catchment Insights & Strategy

1. Use the VSB School Locator
   Enter your future address to confirm your designated schools The Germyn Group+10Vancouver School Board+10VSB Media+10Reddit+1sd44.ca+1.
   
2. Pay Attention to Oversubscribed Schools
   VSB maintains lists of schools with kindergarten waitlists that vary yearly RedditReddit+4Reddit+4VSB Media+4.
   
3. Prioritize Inclusion
   Many parents value being in-catchment to support their child’s social network—even over academic standing.
   

Summary: Best Areas & Schools for Families

Neighbourhood	Elementary School	Secondary School	Highlights
Fairview/Kits	Sir William Osler, Edith Cavell	Kitsilano, Eric Hamber	Walkable, near shops + beaches
Kerrisdale	Lord MacNeill	Point Grey	Quiet, academically strong
West Point Grey	Norma Rose Point	Point Grey	Top-tier academics
Mount Pleasant	Elsie Roy, Mount Pleasant Elem	Eric Hamber	Trendy, young family–oriented
Vancouver West	Multiple catchments	ERinker/PG	Balanced, stable, with choice

Final Tips

• Rankings aren’t everything, but they help highlight consistent academic performance.
  
• Catchment matters—confirm boundary maps via VSB’s tools.
  
• Visit schools and talk to fellow local parents—teacher quality, extracurriculars, and culture vary.
  
• Private school application deadlines are often a year ahead—plan early if interested.
  

At Vancouver Home Hub, we don’t just help you buy— we help your family move in with confidence. 

Read more:

The Rise of Co-Living Spaces in Vancouver: Pros and Cons

The Role of Technology in Vancouver Real Estate: Virtual Tours and Smart Homes

Do You Really Need a Realtor to Buy a Home in Vancouver?

How Foreign Buyer Tax and Speculation Tax Affect Vancouver Real Estate

Renting vs Buying in Vancouver: Which Is Better in 2025?