Sunshine Coast School District

About SD46

OUR MISSION is to enable and inspire our students to realize their full potentials, as knowledgeable, confident and contributing citizens in a global community

The Sunshine Coast of British Columbia is located 30 kilometres northwest of Vancouver and stretches 96 kilometres along the picturesque eastern shores of Georgia Strait.  Reached by a 40-minute ferry ride across Howe Sound from Horseshoe Bay, the Coast offers a wide range of recreational and educational activities for residents and tourists.

Approximately 3,340 students are enrolled in nine elementary and four secondary schools. The schools are served by busing companies operating out of Sechelt and Pender Harbour.  The Board believes that students should attend neighbourhood schools.  Each school has a specific “catchment” area.  If parents wish to apply for a transfer, they may contact the neighbourhood school regarding the established procedure.  If you need further information about which school a student would attend, please call the school board office at 604-886-8811.

Many schools have received “community school” designations: Chatelech, Halfmoon Bay, Pender Harbour, Roberts Creek, Madeira Park, Elphinstone and Gibsons. Community schools share a common goal to not only provide programs but also attempt to create bridges in the community to prevent isolation of students and their families. Their mandate is to support and connect area families to each other. The ways they accomplish this vary from teen nights to early childhood education, breakfast programs, dance, outdoor recreation and cooking clubs. Some programs are offered in only one or two schools, while some are offered district-wide. All community school students participate in Roots of Empathy, where special guided encounters with babies have shown to dramatically reduce bullying and aggression.

Many schools offer breakfast or lunch programs or support special needs, while others provide school readiness for young children through initiatives like KinderSpark! where children visit schools, including the library, gym and playground before they enter kindergarten. Others, including StrongStart allow parents and tots to have learning opportunities and chances to socialize with each other early in their children's lives. Families with children newborn to age five can participate in a number of programs free of charge. School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast) is dedicated to building a continuum of support that fosters nurturing, responsive relationships between young children and their families, their communities and their schools so that children and families will thrive and develop an early and lifelong zest for learning.  See  www.sd46earlylearning.ca  for more information.

The School District operates within the traditional territories of the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation and the Skwxwu7mesh uxwumixw (Squamish Nation).  There is also a significant number of students attending coast schools who have First Nations, Métis or Inuit heritage from across Canada.  As a result, the School District works not only with the shíshálh (Sechelt) Nation and the Skwxwu7mesh uxwumixw (Squamish Nation), but also provides district based Aboriginal Programs and Services which reflects the needs of the broader Aboriginal community. The sháshishálhem (shíshálh) Language and Culture Program, supported by the the Sechelt Indian Band Education Department, offers an Elementary curriculum at Kinnikinnick Elementary School and a Secondary curriculum at Chatelech Secondary.  See  www.allnationscoast.net  for more information.

Local Board Authorized courses and programs such as Community Television, Audio Tech, Yearbook, Foundations for Learning in the 21st Century, Leadership, Outdoor Education and many others enjoy a high rate of elementary and secondary student participation.   Many students access Distributed Learning courses and opportunities provided through the District SPIDER program.  SPIDER (Students Participating In Distance Education Resources) is available for students from Kindergarten to Adult. ACE IT (or Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training) offers the ability for students to begin work experience and training in a certified trade while still in Secondary School.

The Sunshine Coast Alternative School consists of 10 self-contained progams located at different sites.  These are district programs that take both school, and self or family referrals.  The Community Learning Centre offers a self-paced, independent learning environment. The Program is designed for adults wanting to complete high school graduation or wanting to upgrade high school coursework. As well, youth 16 - 19 years who are unable to attend a day school program may find the approach and flexible hours meet their needs.

Parent Advisory Councils are established at all schools. Parents are encouraged to attend meetings to keep informed and support their child’s education.

To enquire about the use of school facilities, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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