The Complete Squamish School Catchment Guide
Fraser ratings, French Immersion, and exactly which neighbourhoods feed each school.
Important: Catchment boundaries are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm your address with SD48 Sea to Sky before purchasing. See full neighbourhood profiles including prices and commute times →
Elementary Schools
Grades K–6
Six elementary schools, each serving a distinct set of Squamish neighbourhoods. Catchment determines which school your child attends — and it significantly influences property values.
Garibaldi Highlands Elementary
Grades K–6
Rating
The highest-rated elementary school in Squamish by Fraser Institute (6.1/10). Garibaldi Highlands Elementary serves the most sought-after family catchment in the city — families routinely factor this school into their home purchase decision. Mature neighbourhood, strong parent community, excellent results.
Squamish Elementary
Grades K–6
Rating
Squamish Elementary serves the downtown core and surrounding neighbourhoods. Home to the district's French Immersion program for the Howe Sound feeder area — a key draw for families wanting a bilingual education pathway from Kindergarten through secondary school.
Valleycliffe Elementary
Grades K–6
Rating
Serving Squamish's original residential neighbourhood, Valleycliffe Elementary is a well-established community school with strong parent engagement. Located in one of Squamish's best-value SFH neighbourhoods — families get excellent school access at lower entry price points than Garibaldi Highlands.
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Brackendale Elementary
Grades K–6
Rating
Serving Squamish's northernmost community, Brackendale Elementary is a small, tight-knit school with a strong nature-based education philosophy. Surrounded by the Squamish River estuary and Eagle Run — the school community reflects the village atmosphere Brackendale is known for.
Mamquam Elementary
Grades K–6
Rating
Mamquam Elementary serves the Garibaldi Estates and University Heights communities. A solid neighbourhood school with good community engagement — families who can't access the Garibaldi Highlands catchment often find excellent value purchasing in Garibaldi Estates for similar school-district access.
Britannia Beach Elementary
Grades K–6
Rating (not ranked)
One of BC's smallest and most unique schools, Britannia Beach Elementary serves the historic mining village community south of Squamish. Small class sizes, multi-grade classrooms, and an intimate community feel. For families buying in Britannia Beach, this is a charming local school — older students typically travel north for middle and secondary.
Middle & Secondary
Grades 7–12
Both serve all of Squamish — no catchment boundary purchasing decisions required.
Don Ross Middle School
Grades 7–9
Rating (not ranked)
Don Ross Middle School serves all of Squamish for grades 7–9, making it the central transition school for every neighbourhood. Home to the French Immersion continuation program — students from Squamish Elementary's FI stream continue here seamlessly. Strong electives program and a well-regarded sports program.
Howe Sound Secondary
Grades 10–12
Rating (not ranked)
Howe Sound Secondary is Squamish's only high school, serving the entire community for grades 10–12. Offers the French Immersion graduation pathway, a robust trades and career program, advanced academic courses, and one of the best school-based outdoor education programs in BC. Graduates have strong post-secondary acceptance rates.
Independent & Alternative
Independent & Alternative Schools
Tuition-based independent schools serving Squamish families. No SD48 catchment boundary applies — open to any neighbourhood.
These schools are not ranked by the Fraser Institute and are not part of the SD48 public school system.
Squamish Waldorf School
Grades Pre-K–8
Squamish Waldorf School (Cedar Valley Waldorf School) offers a Waldorf/Steiner education from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8. The curriculum is holistic and arts-integrated, weaving academic learning with music, movement, handwork, and connection to the natural world. Class sizes are intentionally small and the community is close-knit.
Squamish Montessori School
Grades Toddler–Gr. 4/5
Squamish Montessori School offers AMI-certified Montessori education from the Toddler program (18 months) through elementary (up to Grade 4/5). Child-led learning in mixed-age classrooms encourages independence, curiosity, and self-motivation. The prepared environment allows children to progress at their own pace under the guidance of trained Montessori educators.
Quick Reference
Neighbourhood → School Lookup
Find your neighbourhood and see exactly which elementary school it feeds, plus the Fraser rating.
All students attend Don Ross Middle School (7–9) and Howe Sound Secondary (10–12) regardless of neighbourhood.
Local Squamish REALTOR® who knows every school catchment by name. I help families find homes in exactly the right zone — no guesswork, no boundary surprises.
FAQ
Squamish Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
Which Squamish neighbourhood has the best schools?
Garibaldi Highlands feeds Garibaldi Highlands Elementary, the highest-rated school in Squamish at 6.1/10 by the Fraser Institute. Families consistently prioritize this catchment in their home search — it is the most sought-after school zone in the city, with SFH prices ranging from $1.4M–$2.0M+.
Is French Immersion available in Squamish?
Yes. French Immersion starts from Kindergarten at Squamish Elementary (Fraser 5.7/10), serving the Downtown Squamish, Sea + Sky, and Oceanfront Squamish catchments. The program continues at Don Ross Middle School (Gr. 7–9) and through to graduation at Howe Sound Secondary (Gr. 10–12).
How do I find my school catchment in Squamish?
Use the neighbourhood-to-school lookup table on this page to find your catchment zone. Always confirm your specific address with SD48 Sea to Sky at sd48seatosky.org before purchasing — boundaries can shift and your street address is the definitive source of truth.
Do all Squamish students go to the same middle and high school?
Yes. All Squamish students attend Don Ross Middle School (Grades 7–9) and Howe Sound Secondary (Grades 10–12) regardless of neighbourhood. Only elementary school assignment (K–6) is determined by catchment boundary — so your neighbourhood choice only affects schooling for the first seven years.
Are there private or alternative schools in Squamish?
Yes. Squamish has two independent schools open to families from any neighbourhood: Squamish Waldorf School (Pre-K to Grade 8) offers a holistic arts-integrated curriculum, and Squamish Montessori School (Toddler to Grade 4/5) provides AMI-certified Montessori education. Neither is part of SD48 and both accept open enrollment.
Does school catchment affect home values in Squamish?
Yes, significantly. Homes in the Garibaldi Highlands Elementary catchment command a measurable premium over comparable properties in other zones. Families routinely factor catchment into their purchase decision, which sustains consistent demand and supports long-term property values in top-rated school zones.
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Tell us your target school and we'll send matching listings.