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Kindergarten in Comox Valley Schools

“Children are strong, capable in their uniqueness, and full of potential.”

-BC Early Learning Framework

School District No. 71 (Comox Valley) will be enrolling Kindergarten students (Neighbourhood, French Immersion, Montessori, Indigenous, Fine Arts and eClasses) in District schools for attendance in September 2024. To be eligible for enrolment in September 2024, a student must turn five (5) years of age by December 31, 2024. Each child’s birth certificate and proof of address must be uploaded for registration. BC Services Cards will not be accepted as proof of birth however your child’s BC Personal Health Number (PHN) is required on the registration form. A Passport or Landed Immigrant authorization are suitable forms of documentation in lieu of birth certificates.

KINDERGARTEN CHOICES INFORMATION:

For more information about Kindergarten Programs listed below, please check the program information section on this page. 

  • Neighbourhood (the Kindergarten program in your catchment school);
  • Early French Immersion (located at Ecole Puntledge Park and Ecole Robb Road);
  • Indigenous (Located at Ecole Puntledge Park);
  • Montessori (located at Queneesh and Courtenay Elementary);
  • Navigate (NIDES) Compass Program;
  • Navigate (NIDES) Fine Arts eCademy (FAe).

Kindergarten Registration

All Kindergarten classes are full-day programs. The following choices are available for Kindergarten Registration.

Neighbourhood School:

Parents are asked to register their children at their current neighbourhood catchment school using the online registration located on our website www.comoxvalleyschools.ca/student-registration starting Tuesday, January 23, 2024. While most, if not all, students living in a school’s local catchment will be accommodated at that school, they cannot be guaranteed placement in the catchment area school and may be required to go to the nearest school having space available. To determine your neighbourhood catchment school, please visit our district website at comoxvalleyschools.ca, click on “Schools” and go to “Schools Locator”. If you live in an area where busing is provided, please complete a Bus Transportation Registration Form which is located at https://www.comoxvalleyschools.ca/student-transportation. All students travelling on School District No. 71 school buses must carry a bus pass.

If you do not have access to technology to complete the online registration, connect with your neighbourhood school for support.

Early French Immersion, Montessori and Indigenous K-1:

  • Online Registration opens Tuesday January 16, 2024 at 6:00 pm. If you are interested in Early French Immersion (Ecole Robb Road or Ecole Puntledge Park) or the Montessori program (Queneesh or Courtenay Elementary) or the Indigenous program (Ecole Puntledge Park) complete the expression of interest form for your program of choice on the SD71 registration page www.comoxvalleyschools.ca/student-registration. Placements into choice programs are on a first come, first serve basis in the order received. Siblings of current students in the programs will have priority, if they are registered before Friday January 19, 2024.
  • The indicated school of choice will contact you and provide directions about confirmation or wait listing for placement. Follow their directions on how to register your child for Kindergarten.
  • Indigenous K/1: Priority will be given to students of ancestry before Friday January 19, 2024.
  • Montessori information session: Queneesh Elementary Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 6 p.m. for incoming K-students, as well as parents who may be interested in the Montessori Programs at Queneesh or Courtenay.

NAVIGATE (NIDES) COMPASS PROGRAM KINDERGARTEN: ALL REGISTRATION IS COMPLETED ONLINE AT:

www.navigatenides.com

Registration for all students for the Navigate (NIDES) Compass Program is completed online and the registration form will be active on Wednesday February 7, 2024. Inquiries for this program can be forwarded to Vice Principal, Meghan McMillen at meghan.mcmillen@sd71.bc.ca

NAVIGATE (NIDES) FINE ARTS ECADEMY (FAe) KINDERGARTEN: ALL REGISTRATION IS COMPLETED ONLINE AT:

www.navigatenides.com

Registration for all students for the Fine Arts eCademy (FAe) Kindergarten at Navigate (NIDES) is completed online and the registration form will be active on Wednesday February 7, 2024. Program entry is based on a lottery system, not first come, first serve. Inquiries about this program can be forwarded to Vice Principal, Meghan McMillen at meghan.mcmillen@sd71.bc.ca

There will be an open house at the Tsolum Campus on Friday, February 2nd (9:30 – 11:30 am) for both COMPASS and FAe Programs.

For questions about Kindergarten in School District 71, please see the district website — contact the individual school — or email kindergartenreg@sd71.bc.ca.

Kindergartens in SD71 welcome all children into engaging learning environments. Our classrooms encourage play-based, hands-on learning with opportunities for discovery, imagination and conversation. As part of a learning community, children ask questions, investigate their ideas, build new friendships and express their thinking in a variety of ways.

A typical day in kindergarten will include times for stories, songs, and discussion, play-based choice time, snack and lunch time. Students will participate weekly in music class as well as have opportunities to develop gross motor skills in the gym and visit the library.

Often there is outdoor play and exploration, or walks as a class, or even spending time in a nearby forest. Noticing our neighbourhoods and outdoor environments helps children become aware of their community and develop curiosity and care for the natural world. A full day play-based program has long term benefits for children’s academic and social skills.

Our kindergartens all follow the BC curriculum and use the Early Learning Framework to help teachers provide nurturing, challenging and safe places for children to learn, play, and grow. Goals of the program are to support children in their intellectual development, emotional and social development, artistic and aesthetic development, physical development and well-being, and social responsibility.

Every child arrives in kindergarten with different interests and abilities. The transition to kindergarten from home is a major step in your child’s life. We recognize that parents and guardians are the first teachers of children, and family engagement helps children succeed in school and life. Working together we can make kindergarten a positive and happy experience for your child.

We look forward to welcoming our new learners to our schools in September!