Buying in Squamish? School Catchments Can Make or Break Your Decision.
Every SD48 elementary school rated and mapped — K–12 pathways, Fraser Institute rankings, French Immersion options, and the neighbourhoods that feed each school. Free for Squamish homebuyers.
8 SD48 schools covered6.1/10 top Fraser ratingFull K–12 pathway mappedFrench Immersion pathway included
Get the Free School Guide
Know exactly which school your future home feeds into — before you make an offer.
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Taking you to your guide…
8 SD48 schools covered
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6.1/10 top Fraser rating (GHE)
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14 catchment areas mapped
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K–12 full pathway included
Why This Matters
The School You're Zoned For Affects What You Pay
In Squamish, two homes on the same street can sit in different elementary school catchments. The difference isn’t just which school your child attends — it’s reflected in the asking price.
6.1/10
Top Fraser Rating — GHE
Highest in SD48
6
Elementary Schools
Each with its own catchment
K–12
Full Pathway Mapped
Kindergarten to graduation
FI
French Immersion Available
K–12 bilingual pathway
SD48 School Overview
Every Squamish School, Rated & Mapped
Six elementary schools, each serving a distinct set of neighbourhoods. Knowing which catchment you’re buying into is as important as knowing the price per square foot.
Garibaldi Highlands Elementary
Grades K–6 · Garibaldi Highlands, Garibaldi Estates. The top-rated school in Squamish — families pay a measurable premium to be in this catchment.
6.1/10 Fraser Rating
Squamish Elementary
Grades K–6 · Downtown, Sea + Sky, Oceanfront. Home to the only French Immersion program at the elementary level in the Howe Sound feeder area.
5.7/10 Fraser Rating · FI
Valleycliffe Elementary
Grades K–6 · Valleycliffe, Hospital Hill, Crumpit Woods, Dentville, Northyards. Strong community school at excellent value relative to GHE catchment prices.
5.5/10 Fraser Rating
Brackendale Elementary
Grades K–6 · Brackendale, Tantalus. Small, tight-knit school surrounded by the Squamish River estuary — reflects the village character of north Squamish.
5.2/10 Fraser Rating
Mamquam Elementary
Grades K–6 · Garibaldi Estates, University Heights. Solid community school — a value option for families who want the Garibaldi area without the Highlands premium.
5.2/10 Fraser Rating
Britannia Beach Elementary
Grades K–6 · Britannia Beach. One of BC’s smallest and most unique schools — multi-grade classrooms, intimate community, heritage coastal setting.
N/R Not Ranked
Don Ross Middle School · Grades 7–9
All Squamish neighbourhoods. French Immersion continues here from Squamish Elementary. Strong electives and sports programs.
All Areas District-Wide · FI
Howe Sound Secondary · Grades 10–12
All Squamish neighbourhoods. French Immersion graduation pathway, trades and career education, outdoor education — one of BC’s best.
All Areas District-Wide · FI
What’s Inside
Everything a Squamish Buyer Needs to Know About Schools
Don’t rely on Google Maps boundary approximations. Get the full picture before you make an offer.
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Elementary School Fraser Ratings
All 6 SD48 elementaries rated and compared. GHE tops the district at 6.1/10 — the highest in the corridor — and that rating is baked into property values throughout the Highlands catchment.
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Neighbourhood → Catchment Lookup
All 14 Squamish neighbourhoods mapped to their elementary school. Know which side of the road matters before you book a showing — catchment boundaries don’t always follow street names.
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K–12 School Pathway
From Kindergarten through Grade 12 in one guide. Elementary feeds into Don Ross Middle (7–9), then Howe Sound Secondary (10–12). Understand the full journey your child will take.
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French Immersion Pathway
The only K–12 French Immersion pathway in the district starts at Squamish Elementary. We explain which neighbourhoods access it, how enrolment works, and what the continuation looks like through Don Ross and Howe Sound.
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Property Value by Catchment
The GHE catchment commands a meaningful price premium over comparable homes one street away. We break down which neighbourhoods carry school premiums — and where you can find value without compromising on school quality.
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Independent School Options
Squamish Waldorf School (Pre-K–8) and Squamish Montessori School (Toddler–Gr. 4/5) covered in full. No catchment boundary — open to families anywhere in Squamish.
Client Experiences
What Squamish Buyers Say
This guide saved me months of research. The neighbourhood breakdowns helped us find the perfect family home in Valleycliffe!
Sarah M. — Recent Buyer
Eric walked with us every step of the way helping us understand each neighbourhood. He helped us walk away from deals he thought we’d regret. No flashy sales pitches. The most approachable human you could ask for.
NT — Squamish Homebuyer
We never felt pressured to make a decision faster than we were ready.
KT — First-Time Buyer
Who This Is For
This Guide Is Perfect For
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Families relocating with school-age children
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Parents targeting the GHE or FI catchment
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Buyers comparing school quality vs. price
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Families exploring French Immersion options
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Investors tracking school-premium neighbourhoods
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Anyone comparing Squamish vs. Vancouver schools
EJ
Eric Johnson
REALTOR® | Engel & Völkers Squamish/Whistler
Local Squamish REALTOR® who knows every school catchment boundary by name. I help families find the right home in the right zone — no guesswork, no boundary surprises after closing. If a property doesn’t put your kids in the school you want, I’ll tell you before you fall in love with it.