Tri-Cities Family Guide
Do you need to buy in the catchment for French immersion or Mandarin?
The short answer
Usually, no. In School District 43 (Coquitlam, Port Moody, Port Coquitlam), French Immersion and the Mandarin Bilingual Program at Walton Elementary are Programs of Choice. Spots go by random draw, not by address, with priority for siblings already in the program. If your child is placed, you do not need to apply for cross-catchment. Living close makes life easier, but buying in the catchment does not guarantee a spot. For September 2027, applications are open January 7 to 13, 2027.
I'm Mild, a licensed realtor with TRG The Residential Group Realty, and a Tri-Cities parent. Families call me all the time wanting to buy near a school for one reason: to get into a program like Mandarin, French immersion or IB. Many believe buying in the catchment guarantees a spot. It doesn't, and I'd rather you know that before you choose a home.
Two real stories from my street
Mandarin, from outside the catchment
My neighbour here in College Park, Port Moody does not live in the Walton catchment. She applied anyway, and her son got a spot in Walton's Mandarin Bilingual Program. Even as a Thai family, I'd love my kids to learn Mandarin too.
Our French immersion path
My own son went through French immersion at Glenayre Elementary, then Banting Middle, and is now at Charles Best Secondary. It worked well for our family, and I know the path well as a parent.
How Programs of Choice work in SD43
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Apply in January | Apply online in the SD43 window. For September 2027 it is January 7 to 13, 2027. You can apply to up to three programs. |
| 2. Random draw | Each student gets a random draw number. A sibling already attending that program at that school gets the highest priority. |
| 3. Offer or waitlist | Students who are not placed stay on a waitlist in draw order, until the end of the first week of September. |
| 4. No cross-catchment form | If you are accepted into a Program of Choice, you do not need a separate cross-catchment application. |
Entry points: Kindergarten for French Immersion, Mandarin Bilingual and Montessori; Grade 6 (late entry) for French Immersion and Montessori. Rules can change each year, so always check the SD43 Programs of Choice page before you apply.
Mandarin Bilingual Program at Walton
The path
Walton Elementary (K to 5) in Coquitlam, then Scott Creek Middle (6 to 8) and Gleneagle Secondary (9 to 12).
Half and half
About half of the teaching is in Mandarin (including math and Chinese language arts) and half in English.
No Mandarin at home needed
SD43 says it does not screen for Mandarin, and most students are not native speakers. That is why families like mine can consider it too.
So how should you choose a home?
My advice is simple: buy a home your family loves, in an area that works for your daily life, and treat the program as a bonus.
Being close helps
Living near the school makes drop-off, after-school care and friendships easier, and you hear about openings sooner. It is a real plus.
But it isn't a guarantee
Spots go by random draw. You can live next door and not get in, or live across town and get a spot. Do not pay a big premium only for a program you might not get.
Time it right
Applications happen in January for the next September. If you are buying anyway, apply first, then choose areas that work whether or not you get a spot.
Neighbourhoods families ask me about
See my local guides, each with schools, prices and real tips: College Park, Glenayre and Heritage Woods in Port Moody, and Burquitlam and Austin Heights and Maillardville in Coquitlam. Outgrowing your condo? Try my Can We Upsize? calculator.
For Thai and newcomer families
If you are new to Canada, SD43's programs can feel confusing. I'm happy to walk you through how it works and which areas fit your family, in Thai or English. See also my guide on how newcomers buy a first home in BC.
โปรแกรมภาษาฝรั่งเศสและภาษาจีนกลางของเขต SD43 ใช้วิธีจับฉลาก ไม่จำเป็นต้องซื้อบ้านในเขตโรงเรียนเสมอไป ลูกของมายเองเรียนภาษาฝรั่งเศสในระบบนี้ ถ้าอยากปรึกษาเรื่องบ้านและโรงเรียน คุยกับมายเป็นภาษาไทยได้เลยค่ะ
Common questions
- Do I need to buy in the Walton Elementary catchment to get into the Mandarin program?
- No. SD43's Mandarin Bilingual Program at Walton Elementary places Kindergarten students by random draw, not by address, and families accepted into a program of choice do not need to apply for cross-catchment. Living nearby makes the daily drive easier, but it is not a guarantee of a spot.
- How do French immersion and Mandarin bilingual spots work in SD43?
- They are SD43 Programs of Choice. Families apply online during the January window, can apply to up to three programs, and students are placed by random draw. A sibling already attending that program at that school gets the highest priority. Students who are not placed go on a waitlist in draw order.
- When do I apply for French immersion or Mandarin in Coquitlam and Port Moody?
- For September 2027, SD43 applications for Programs of Choice are open January 7 to 13, 2027. Kindergarten is the main entry point for French Immersion, Mandarin Bilingual and Montessori, and Grade 6 is a late entry point for French Immersion and Montessori.
- Do we need to speak Mandarin at home for the Mandarin bilingual program?
- No. SD43 says the program does not screen for Mandarin ability and most students are not native speakers at home. About half of the instruction is in Mandarin and half in English.
- Where does the Mandarin bilingual program continue after elementary?
- In SD43, students start at Walton Elementary (K to 5), then continue at Scott Creek Middle (6 to 8) and Gleneagle Secondary (9 to 12).
- Should I choose a home based on a school program?
- Mild's advice: buy a home your family loves in an area that works for your daily life, and treat a program spot as a bonus. Apply in January, and if you are placed, the program comes with you even if you live outside that school's catchment.
- Who can help me buy a family home in the Tri-Cities with schools in mind?
- Mild is a licensed realtor with TRG The Residential Group Realty, a College Park, Port Moody resident for more than 10 years and a parent whose son went through SD43 French immersion. She works in English or Thai. Call or text 778.953.6597.
Buying a family home with schools in mind?
Let's talk about your must-haves, the programs you're hoping for, and the areas that work either way. I'm happy to meet for coffee.
อยากซื้อบ้านใกล้โรงเรียนที่ใช่ คุยกับมายเป็นภาษาไทยได้เลยค่ะ
Mild, Mild Homes. Licensed Realtor, TRG The Residential Group Realty. College Park resident for more than 10 years, serving Port Moody, Coquitlam, Burquitlam, Burnaby, Vancouver and Langley, BC. 778.953.6597 | sold@mildhomes.ca | mildhomes.ca
Sources: School District 43 Programs of Choice page and Mandarin Bilingual Program page, checked October 2026. Program rules and dates can change; always confirm with SD43. General information only, not legal or financial advice.
Page updated October 2026.
TRG The Residential Group Realty
Office Address:
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