Parent guide
Everything you need to plan the year.
School applications, custodianship, arrival, health insurance, transit, the school calendar and what to pack, all in one place and drawn from official sources.
Checked against official sources on 15 October 2026.
Before you come
1Apply to SD43 International Education
Deadlines for new students are 15 May for a September start and 15 November for a January/February start. For 2026–27 the application fee is CAD $300 and the program fee is CAD $18,500 for a full year (CAD $9,250 for a secondary half-year), with medical insurance included. Homestay is not included in tuition.
2Study permit
A study permit, applied for before travelling, is needed for study longer than six months. For secondary school it can be issued for the whole intended period of study, up to four years.
3Custodian (가디언)
SD43 requires a custodian for students under 19 whose parents are not in Canada (IRCC itself requires one under 17). The custodian must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living nearby. They're appointed with IRCC's Custodian Declaration (IMM 5646): page 1 is notarized in Canada, page 2 by the parents in Korea. SD43 publishes a list of custodianship providers, including Korean-speaking ones.
Grade by year of birth
Grade 10
Grade in 2026–27
Secondary school (Grades 9–12)
SD43 places students by year of birth. Students born in 2008 are placed in Grade 12 only when repeating.
Arrival
Air Canada, Korean Air and T'way Air fly nonstop from Seoul Incheon to Vancouver (YVR). The flight takes about 10 hours; the return to Seoul takes about 11 to 12 hours.
We meet students in the arrivals hall and drive them home: just under an hour outside rush hour. By transit it's about 75 minutes on SkyTrain to Coquitlam Central (Canada, Expo and Millennium lines), then route 187, plus a $6.50 airport AddFare.
What to arrange in the first two weeks
Students and parents arrange these themselves. They're listed here so nothing gets missed.
Phone
A Canadian phone plan or eSIM. Bring an unlocked phone.
Transit
An orange Concession Compass Card, used with photo ID such as a student card.
Health
Enrol in BC's Medical Services Plan (MSP) soon after arrival.
Money
A Canadian bank account or a card that works in Canada.
School year 2026–27
- First day of schoolTue, Sep 8
- National Day for Truth and ReconciliationWed, Sep 30
- ThanksgivingMon, Oct 12
- Remembrance DayWed, Nov 11
- Winter breakMon, Dec 21 – Fri, Jan 1
- School re-opensMon, Jan 4
- Secondary semester 1 endsFri, Jan 29
- Secondary semester 2 begins (February intake)Mon, Feb 1
- BC Family DayMon, Feb 15
- Spring breakMon, Mar 15 – Mon, Mar 29
- School re-opensTue, Mar 30
- Victoria DayMon, May 24
- Last day of schoolTue, Jun 29
Schools are also closed on teacher professional development (Pro-D) days (Sep 25, Oct 23, Feb 26, Apr 23) and on two more days chosen by each school.
Health & insurance
First three months: covered by SD43
SD43 buys private guard.me insurance for its international students while they wait for BC's Medical Services Plan (MSP) to start.
Then: BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
Students with a study permit of six months or more must enrol in MSP on arrival. Coverage starts after the rest of the arrival month plus two months. BC charges an International Student Health Fee of CAD $75 a month, including for K–12 students.
If they're unwell
We'll take them to a walk-in clinic, or to Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody, and call you straight away. In an emergency, dial 911. For non-urgent health advice, BC's HealthLink line is 8-1-1.
Getting around
Route 187 stops a three-minute walk from the house and reaches Coquitlam Central Station in about 10 to 15 minutes. Buses run every 15 minutes in the morning peak and every 30 minutes otherwise.
Coquitlam is in TransLink fare Zone 3. Bus trips always cost a 1-zone fare. Students aged 13 to 18 ride at concession prices with an orange Concession Compass Card and photo ID such as a student card: $2.30 for one zone, $4.60 for three zones, or $66.95 a month for unlimited travel.
Weather & packing
Mild and wet: winters hover just above freezing with rain most days, and summers are warm and dry. A good rain jacket matters more than a heavy coat.
Pitt Meadows, about 11 km from Coquitlam, is the nearest station with official 1991–2020 normals. The hillside on Westwood Plateau is likely a little cooler and wetter.
Packing checklist
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Useful contacts
Questions? We reply in Korean or English.
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