SD48 Sea to Sky · 2026

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 covered 6.1/10 top Fraser rating Full K–12 pathway mapped French Immersion pathway included

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Know exactly which school your future home feeds into — before you make an offer.

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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

Elementary Schools

Each with its own catchment

K–12

Full Pathway Mapped

Kindergarten to graduation

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Families relocating with school-age children

Parents targeting the GHE or FI catchment

Buyers comparing school quality vs. price

Families exploring French Immersion options

Investors tracking school-premium neighbourhoods

Anyone comparing Squamish vs. Vancouver schools

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.

604.828.5704 info@corridorhomes.ca corridorhomes.ca

Buying in Squamish? School Catchments Can Make or Break Your Decision.