Top-Rated Schools in Burnaby, BC: A 2026 Guide for Families
Families looking for top-rated schools in Burnaby, BC have strong public options across the city: the Burnaby School District serves about 27,000 students in 41 elementary and 8 secondary schools, with French Immersion, AP Capstone, Mandarin language arts, and sports academies on offer. The best school for your family depends on the program you want and the catchment you buy into — and that's where your home search and your school search meet.
I'm Stephanie Wong PREC with Luxmore Realty. Many of the Burnaby buyers I work with choose a neighbourhood around a school first, then find the home. This guide walks through how Burnaby's schools are organized, which programs stand out, and what to know about catchments before you write an offer.
Key Takeaways
- Burnaby School District (SD41) is BC's fourth-largest district, with about 27,000 K–12 students, 41 elementary schools, and 8 secondary schools.
- French Immersion is offered at the secondary level at Alpha, Cariboo Hill, and Moscrop, with elementary French Immersion feeding into them.
- The Province reports more than $375 million invested in Burnaby schools since 2017, including additions at Kitchener, Brentwood Park, and Nelson elementary schools.
- August 2026 Greater Vancouver Realtors benchmarks for Burnaby ranged from about $670,000 to $732,000 for apartments and $1.69 million to $1.89 million for detached homes, depending on the area.
How Burnaby Schools Are Organized
According to the Burnaby School District, SD41 serves about 27,000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in 41 elementary schools (K–7) and 8 secondary schools (Grades 8–12). It's the fourth-largest district in British Columbia and one of the most linguistically diverse — the district notes that roughly 54% of Burnaby residents have a primary language other than English or French.
Every address in Burnaby falls within an elementary and a secondary catchment. Catchment students generally get priority at their neighbourhood school, while spaces in choice programs like French Immersion depend on availability.
Burnaby's Secondary Schools
The district's eight secondary schools, as listed by Burnaby Schools, are:
| Secondary school | Area | Program note |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Secondary | North Burnaby (Willingdon Heights) | French Immersion |
| Burnaby Central Secondary | Central Burnaby (Deer Lake) | — |
| Burnaby Mountain Secondary | Northeast Burnaby (Lougheed / Burnaby Mountain) | — |
| Burnaby North Secondary | North Burnaby (Capitol Hill / Brentwood) | — |
| Burnaby South Secondary | South Burnaby (shares a campus with the BC School for the Deaf) | — |
| Byrne Creek Secondary | Southeast Burnaby (Edmonds) | — |
| Cariboo Hill Secondary | East Burnaby | French Immersion |
| Moscrop Secondary | Central Burnaby (Moscrop Street) | French Immersion |
All eight offer the full provincial Grade 8–12 curriculum with pathways to university, college, and trades. District-wide, students can access AP courses and the AP Capstone Diploma, sports academies in basketball, hockey, soccer, and volleyball, arts programs, and career and trades training.
Programs That Draw Families to Burnaby
When parents ask me about top-rated schools in Burnaby, BC, they're often really asking about programs. These are the ones that come up most:
- French Immersion. Burnaby offers both Early French Immersion starting in Kindergarten and Late French Immersion, continuing at Alpha, Cariboo Hill, and Moscrop secondaries. Registration is typically competitive, so plan early.
- AP Capstone. For academically driven students, AP courses and the AP Capstone Diploma give a head start on university-level work.
- Mandarin Language Arts. A district program supporting Mandarin language learning — popular with many Burnaby families.
- Sports academies. Basketball, hockey, soccer, and volleyball academies combine training with regular classes.
How to Compare School Performance
There's no single official ranking of BC schools. Parents I work with usually look at a combination of:
- The school's own website and growth plan — for programs, clubs, and priorities.
- The Fraser Institute's school report cards — an independent ranking based mainly on provincial assessment results. It's one data point, not the whole picture.
- Provincial data from the BC Ministry of Education and Child Care — including graduation rates and assessment results by school and district.
- A visit. Nothing replaces walking the halls and talking to staff and other parents.
New School Space in Burnaby
Burnaby's population growth — especially around Brentwood, Metrotown, and Lougheed — has put pressure on school space. The Province says it has invested more than $375 million in Burnaby schools since 2017, creating 1,490 new student spaces and 4,315 seismically upgraded seats. Recent projects reported by the BC government include:
- Kitchener Elementary (Willingdon Heights) — an addition with 500 new seats and 20 classrooms, under construction since summer 2025.
- Brentwood Park Elementary — 165 new seats and 435 seismically safer seats, under construction since summer 2025.
- Nelson Elementary — a $6-million, 100-seat addition with four classrooms.
If you're buying near Brentwood or Metrotown, it's worth asking how these projects will affect enrolment at your catchment school. My guides to new construction in Brentwood and living in Metrotown cover those neighbourhoods in more detail.
Burnaby Home Prices by School Area
School catchments in Burnaby line up roughly with the Greater Vancouver Realtors' three Burnaby sub-areas. Here are the August 2026 benchmarks:
| Area | Detached | Townhouse | Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnaby North | $1,816,500 (-10.2%) | $888,200 (-5.3%) | $669,700 (-7.3%) |
| Burnaby South | $1,887,800 (-10.2%) | $933,600 (-7.4%) | $731,500 (-7.1%) |
| Burnaby East | $1,694,900 (-13.8%) | $852,700 (-4.4%) | $707,600 (-7.7%) |
Year-over-year changes are shown in brackets. With detached prices down more than 10% across the city, families who've been waiting for a house in a preferred catchment have more negotiating room than they've had in some time.
Tips for Buying a Home Based on Burnaby Schools
- Confirm the catchment for the exact address. Use the district's school locator, and don't rely on listing descriptions — catchments can change.
- Ask about program waitlists. A home in the Moscrop catchment doesn't guarantee a French Immersion spot.
- Think about the walk. Many Burnaby streets are hilly. Walk the route to school before you buy.
- Plan for growth. Neighbourhoods with lots of new towers may see busier schools in the short term.
Frequently Asked Questions About Schools in Burnaby, BC
Q: How many schools are in the Burnaby School District?
SD41 has 41 elementary schools and 8 secondary schools, serving about 27,000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.
Q: Which Burnaby secondary schools offer French Immersion?
Alpha, Cariboo Hill, and Moscrop secondary schools offer French Immersion, according to the Burnaby School District.
Q: What are the best schools in Burnaby, BC?
It depends on your child's needs and the programs you want. Compare school growth plans, provincial data, and independent report cards, and visit the schools on your shortlist.
Q: Does buying in a catchment guarantee a spot at that school?
Catchment students typically get priority at their neighbourhood school, but choice programs like French Immersion have separate registration and may have waitlists. Always confirm with the district.
Find a Burnaby Home Near the Right School
Choosing the right school and the right home go hand in hand. I'll help you match catchments with your budget, check program availability, and find homes that fit both your family and your future plans.
I'm Stephanie Wong PREC with Luxmore Realty. Schedule a free consultation or call (778) 960-8269, and let's start your Burnaby search. You can also read my first-time homebuyer guide for Burnaby.
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