AP 336

Student Registration & School Catchment Areas

Background

The purpose of this administrative procedure is to outline provisions for registration and attendance at catchment schools, non-catchment schools, and district programs/schools.

Procedures

In keeping with Section 74.1 of the School Act and Board Policy 18 - School Catchment Areas, it is the school district’s responsibility to ensure to the greatest extent possible that each school meets the needs of its catchment population. A school will not enroll out-of-catchment students unless there is sufficient capacity for projected in-catchment students.

1. Registration Priorities
The following priorities are used to determine the acceptance of students in a particular school:

  • 1.1 Catchment area students who attended the school during the previous school year;
  • 1.2 Siblings of catchment area students who attended the school during the previous year, and continue to attend the same school;
  • 1.3 New catchment area students, respectively;
    • 1.3.1 From a feeder school
    • 1.3.2 From a non-feeder school or district program
    • 1.3.3 From out of district
  • 1.4 Re-applying non-catchment area students who live in district, who attended the school during the previous school year, and continue to attend the same school;
  • 1.5 Siblings of non-catchment students who attended the school the previous year as per 1.4 above;
  • 1.6 New non-catchment area students (in-district);
  • 1.7 Non-school district students.

2. In Catchment Applications
Any student, whose principal place of residence is within a school’s catchment area, is eligible to enrol at that catchment school. Parents or legal guardians will need to demonstrate that the student’s principal place of residence is within the catchment area. Proof of residency must be provided as follows:

  • 2.1 One primary source: a current mortgage document, rental or lease agreement, property tax notice, property sale agreement, home insurance, utility bill (e.g. electricity, gas), and in addition
  • 2.2 One secondary source showing this same address and parent’s/legal guardian’s name on a government document (e.g. such as child tax credit, current income tax assessment, vehicle insurance, current year T4).

    If the school’s principal is not satisfied that the documentation adequately demonstrates that the stated address is the student’s principal place of residence, he/she may request further proof of residence, showing the same address.

    The principal may also request a properly sworn Statutory Declaration from the enrolling parent or legal guardian attesting that the student’s principal place of residence is the place indicated in the enrolment application.

Applicants should note that making a false statutory declaration may constitute the criminal offence of perjury, contrary to section 131 of the Canadian Criminal Code.

Applicants should also note that a false statement about the student’s principal place of residence will result in the school principal repealing the student’s placement.

3. Out-of-Catchment Applications
Any student whose principal place of residence is not within the local school boundaries is considered an out-of-catchment student. Out-of-catchment students may only be enrolled if there is sufficient capacity after reserving places for students who move into the catchment during the year, and after considering the applicable class configuration guidelines, available resources, and the school’s projected future enrolment. The following procedures will apply:

  • 3.1 All out-of-catchment students who have been accepted into a school will be required to reapply for placement on an annual basis.
  • 3.2 Students who move out of a school catchment area during a school calendar year will have the option of remaining at their current school until the end of the school year. Those students will be transferred to their new catchment area school for the following September.
  • 3.3 New out-of-catchment applications will be placed on a waiting list and reviewed at the end of the first week of school (September).
  • 3.4 Where there is significant enrolment pressure in a catchment, the superintendent may entirely close a catchment to non-catchment applications.

4. Registration Periods for Catchment Schools
The following registration timelines will apply:

  • 4.1 First Registration Period (Kindergarten only)
    Registration for Kindergarten students will commence the end of January each year, until the end of the first week of the following school year (September). Seats will be assigned based on the registration priorities listed above.
  • 4.2 Second Registration Period
    Registration applications will be received at the school between February 1st and the end of the first week of the following school year (September). Seats will be assigned based on the registration priorities listed above.
  • 4.3 Third Registration Period
    Applications received after the end of the first week of the school year will be reviewed as they are received. If space, facilities, and class composition are deemed appropriate, the student will be admitted to the catchment area school. If not, an alternate placement will be made for the remainder of the school year.

5. Registration for District Programs
A District program has the entire district as its catchment, with the exception of elementary French Immersion schools, which have defined catchment areas within the district. The following registration criteria and timelines will apply for these programs:

  • 5.1 French Immersion (Clearbrook, Centennial, Margaret Stenersen, Sandy Hill, Chief Dan George, W J Mouat)
    • 5.1.1 Registration for Kindergarten students will commence the fourth Monday of January, until the end of the first week of the following school year (September). Students with an older sibling in the program will be given priority placement over new applicants. Seats will be assigned the second week of February, via random selection process.
    • 5.1.2 Registration for the Late Immersion Program (grade 6) will commence the fourth Monday of January until the end of the first week of the following school year (September). Seats will be assigned the second week of February, on a proportional basis by catchment area, via random selection process. Students with an older sibling in the program will be given priority placement over new applicants.
    • 5.1.3 Parents are required to attend an information session outlining the academic and behavioural expectations for all French Immersion Programs prior to completing their application. New students will not be accepted into the Late Immersion Program after the last Friday in September unless they are transferring from another Late or Early French Program.
  • 5.2 Abbotsford School of the Integrated Arts (North Poplar, Sumas Mountain)
    • 5.2.1 Registration for Kindergarten students will commence the fourth Monday of January, until the end of the first week of the following school year (September).
      Students with an older sibling in the program will be given priority placement over new applicants. Seats will be assigned the second week of February, on a proportional basis by catchment area, via random selection process.
    • 5.2.2 Registration for all other students (grades 1 to 12) will follow the registration periods
      outlined above in 4.2. Waitlisted students will be accepted firstly on a proportional basis by
      catchment area, and thereafter on a first come first served basis.
    • 5.2.3 In addition, students who newly apply for placement into ASIA Sumas Mountain will be
      accepted based on interest and aptitude in the arts.
  • 5.3 Traditional (King, South Poplar, Abbotsford Traditional Middle, Abbotsford Traditional Secondary)
    • 5.3.1 Registration for Kindergarten students will commence the fourth Monday of January, until the end of the first week of the following school year (September). Students with an older sibling in the program will be given priority placement over new applicants. Seats will be assigned the second week of February, on a proportional basis by catchment area, via random selection process.
    • 5.3.2 Registration for all other students (grades 1 to 12) will follow the registration periods
      outlined above in 3.1. Waitlisted students will be accepted firstly on a proportional basis by
      catchment area, and thereafter on a first come first served basis.
  • 5.4 International Baccalaureate (Abbotsford Senior Secondary)
    • 5.4.1 Registration for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme will commence on February 1st each year.
    • 5.4.2 To be considered for the programme students must have a minimum cumulative B average and exceptional work habits and behaviour, as attested by the sending principal.
    • 5.4.3 Students who enter at grade 11 must successfully complete a minimum of three IB Diploma courses per year.
    • 5.4.4 If there are more qualified applicants than seats, after catchment students have been placed, eligible non-catchment students will be assigned on a proportional basis by catchment area until available seats are filled.
  • 5.5 Sports Academies (Hockey, Soccer, Baseball, Golf)
    • 5.5.1 Applications for all sports academies will commence on February 1st, and seats will be assigned on May 1st, based on the registration priorities listed above.
    • 5.5.2 To be considered for acceptance into any sports academy, students must hold a cumulative B average (Students on IEP and adapted programs will be exempted from this requirement), and must meet or exceed behavioural expectations, as attested by the sending principal.
    • 5.5.3 If there are more qualified applicants than seats students will be assigned on a proportional basis by catchment area until available seats are filled.
    • 5.5.4 Note that for all sports academies, priority will be given to in-district students over out-of district students.
  • 5.6 Hockey Academy
    • 5.6.1 In addition to the above criteria, in order to be considered for acceptance into the Skill Development Hockey Academy, students must have successfully played at the A1, A2, A3 or House levels. In some cases, an evaluation skate may be used to assess skill level.
    • 5.6.2 Students will be selected for an Elite Hockey Academy Team based on their hockey ability.
    • Regular registration priorities do not apply for this program.
  • 5.7 Soccer Academy
    • 5.7.1 In addition to the above criteria, students must possess rudimentary soccer skills.
  • 5.8 Baseball/Softball Academy
    • 5.8.1 In addition to the above criteria, students must possess rudimentary baseball/softball skills.
  • 5.9 Golf Academy
  • 5.9.1 In addition to the above criteria, students must possess rudimentary golf skills.

6. District Required Transfer (Forced Transfer)
Placement of newly arrived students: When a student moves into a school catchment area but the school does not have room in a class at the student’s grade level, the principal or designate will contact the Assistant Superintendent’s Office to arrange for a district-required transfer (Board Policy 18.3). The transfer is in effect for the immediate school year. If space becomes available mid-year, students may return to their catchment school. Students will be required to attend their catchment school in the following school year.

  • 6.1 New registration - the catchment school verifies the student address in ‘School Locator’, welcomes him/her to the district, and will take complete student registration information. When there is no space, the first two pages of the registration form for each child is provided by email to the Assistant Superintendents’ Office.
  • 6.2 The Assistant Superintendent’s office will investigate options for alternate placement within walking distance of the student’s address. If necessary, they will consult with the Transportation Department, for suitable placement at a school beyond walk limits.
  • 6.3 The available school option(s) will typically be the closest school(s) with appropriate space, and/or the school where bussing can be provided.
  • 6.4 The Assistant Superintendent’s office notifies the catchment school and receiving school of the placement. The receiving school contacts the family to welcome them to their school. If required they will ask the family to complete a transportation form.
  • 6.5 The catchment school will share the registration information with the accepting school, and advise parents to make contact with the school.

Please note: While every effort is made to arrange a transfer as soon as possible, parents and students should be advised to allow up to five days for approval and processing. The forced transfer is in effect for the immediate school year – however, if space becomes available, students may opt to return to the catchment school. Catchment schools are to maintain a waitlist of these students and confirm with them in June for the following September. Approved forced transfers may be reviewed by the school principal prior to renewing the following year. If placement of the transferring student is outside of walk limit from their home address and transportation is required, the cost of the transportation will be covered by the district. Walk limits are defined in AP 307.

 AP 336-1 Student Registration Form

 AP 336-2 Request for Email Address Consent (CASL) Form

 AP 336-3 In-District Non-Catchment Request Form

 AP 336-4 Out of District Request Form

AP 336-5 School Based Team Support

Reference

Board Policy 18, School Catchment Areas

(Last Revised: May 2023)

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