Admissions

Our school’s unique instructional approach is designed to meet each learner’s individual needs through direct, explicit, and targeted intervention. With support in place, and surrounded by a diverse community of peers with similar learning styles, our students are no longer defined solely by their learning differences.

With small class sizes of 6-12 students and 1:1 (or small group) Orton-Gillingham learning support incorporated into the daily schedule, our students never miss out on opportunities in core and enriched curriculum. Together, we facilitate a transformative journey where your child can re-discover the joys of learning, broaden their interests and ignite their passions. We’ll help them develop their creativity, communication, and leadership skills – areas in which dyslexics often excel – while building their foundational reading, writing, math, and/or executive function skills.

Our Admissions Team is here to help you explore our school’s unique program offerings from the inquiry stage, through to acceptance. We look forward to getting to know your family so that together, we can ensure Fraser Academy is the right place for your child to thrive!

Arrange a tour

Can’t make the Open House dates above? Our Admissions Team can arrange a tour for your family, focusing on areas that relate to your grade of interest and your child’s learning profile.

Book a Tour

Feel free to email our Admissions Team at admissions@fraseracademy.ca if these dates and times don’t work for you. We’re happy to schedule alternative tour dates with you.

Browse our website

Learn more about our Junior, Middle, and Senior School programs by clicking here and find additional resources for families here.

View our stories and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

View our Admissions brochure.

Have more questions?

Call Admissions to chat on 604-736-5575 x 5502, or click here to book a time for us to call you. Alternatively, send us your inquiry.

Submit an Inquiry

Applications for September 2024 entry are now open!

We recognise that families may receive their PsychoEducational Assessments confirming their child’s learning difference at different times in the year. Parents are encouraged to apply to the earliest deadline possible after they receive their child’s PsychEd Assessment. Interviewing for shortlisted candidates will begin in December 2023.

Early Bird Deadline

• Apply in full by Friday, December 1, 2023
• Admissions decisions anticipated by late January/early February 2024

Second Round Deadline

• Apply in full by Thursday, February 15, 2024
• Admissions decisions anticipated by late March 2024

Third Round Deadline

• Apply in full by Wednesday, May 1, 2024
• Admissions decisions anticipated by late May 2024

Rolling Application Deadline

• Apply in full after Wednesday, May 1, 2024
• Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis

If you feel Fraser Academy might be the right fit for your family, click the Apply Now button below.

Apply Now

Note that first-time users should create a new account, while visitors returning to our online portal should log in using their email address. (Please do not set up a duplicate account in your name).

Applications will be considered complete when all requested documentation has been submitted, including payment of the $75 non-refundable application fee.

For a full list of supporting materials that will be required, please see the FAQ section below.

Families seeking bursary assistance to help offset the cost of tuition should also submit a separate bursary assistance application as soon as they have submitted their application for admission to the day school. Click here for more details.

Following our internal review of your application materials, shortlisted candidates who meet our preliminary entry requirements will receive an email inviting them to log back into the Admissions Portal to book a family visit, including interview and intake assessment. This will help us get to know each other better before making our admissions decisions.

Decisions will be shared with families at the times noted above (see “Application Timeline” above).

Our selection considerations are set out below in the FAQ section.

Candidates who are initially placed in a waitpool may be selected for acceptance at a later date in the admissions cycle (including mid-year) if a suitable opening subsequently becomes available. Selection from the waitpool is based on best fit for our program and learning environment, not “first come, first served.” Therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply to Fraser Academy year round, even if a grade is full and/or already has a waitpool.

Fraser Academy’s tuition fees are reassessed annually. For the most up to date amount, please reach out to Director of Enrolment, Naomi Johnston, at 604 736 5575 x 5502 or admissions@fraseracademy.ca.

Our educational program is tailored to meet the specific individual learning needs of each student. We offer small class sizes with a maximum of 10 students in Grades 1-9, and up to 12 students in Grades 10-12, as well as 1:1 and small group (2-4 students) language instruction, and specialist teachers for athletics, music, and the arts. As a non-profit organization, our tuition fees reflect the services we provide.

Many parents whose children are diagnosed with a language-based learning disorder have found that because of the school’s therapeutic instruction, Fraser Academy tuition has been accepted by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a medical deduction or Qualifying Medical Expense (QME) (Court File No. 90-1931(IT)).

Please seek your own professional advice to determine if the following could apply to your family’s personal financial situation to help reduce the amount paid:

• Claiming tuition fees as a QME when submitting your annual tax return (in the same way that you claim other medical expenses such as dental, vision etc.);
• Paying tuition fees via a Health Spending Account offered by your employer’s medical insurance plan; or
• For those who own their own business, speaking to an insurance broker to determine whether it would be advantageous to set up a Private Health Services Plan (PHSP) which is a CRA approved plan that may enable businesses to convert medical expenses into a fully tax deductible business expense.

Families may also wish to explore the possibility of applying for CRA’s Disability Tax Credit which could potentially offer financial relief and access to other benefits for their child.

We believe that all children and youth, regardless of their economic situation, deserve an education in a setting where they can learn and prosper. Every year, 10-15% of our families receive bursary assistance, covering 5–50% of tuition costs. Best efforts are made to accommodate as many eligible families as possible. Financial assistance is not guaranteed.

Fraser Academy is committed to working with families to make our school more affordable and ensures that all bursary awards are fairly appropriated according to need and availability of funds.

Apply for Bursary Assistance

Please note the following about bursary assistance:

• Applications are submitted by families directly to an independent third-party, Apple Financial Services (AFS), who provide a financial analysis and recommendation of an award to the school. The amount of bursary awarded is then determined by Fraser Academy’s Bursary Committee following consideration of the recommendations by AFS. A blind, case-by-case, needs-based analysis guides the Bursary Committee in its decision making process. Information provided in each bursary application is kept strictly confidential.
• Bursary applications are open to all students – both returning students and prospective new students. Prospective students must have submitted an application for admission to Fraser Academy prior to applying for bursary assistance. A student’s need for financial assistance does not affect admissions eligibility.
• Bursary assistance must be applied for annually.
• Please ensure that your bursary application is submitted several weeks in advance of the deadlines below, if possible, to give Apple Financial plenty of time to review and verify that your application is complete. Applications deemed incomplete by the deadline may be ineligible for consideration for that round of bursary assistance awards.
• There is a $130 non-refundable application fee for bursary applications, payable online to Apple Financial Services.

The application deadlines for those seeking bursary support for the 2024-25 school year are:

Students currently enrolled at Fraser Academy in the 2023-24 school year

• Apply by November 17, 2023. Decisions anticipated by February 1, 2024.

Early Bird new student applicants

• Apply by December 1, 2023. Decisions anticipated by late January / early February 2024.

Second Round new student applicants

• Apply by February 15, 2024. Decisions anticipated by late March 2024.

Third Round new student applicants

• Apply by May 1, 2024. Decisions anticipated by late May 2024.

Rolling new student applicants

• Apply at time of submitting an application for admission to the day school. Decisions anticipated 4-6 weeks later.

*Note: bursary results will only be shared with new students who are offered acceptance to Fraser Academy’s day school.

The majority of available bursary funds will be awarded to those who apply in full before February 15, 2024.

Some families have also had success applying for external grants from, for example, CKNW Kid’s Fund (currently up to $1,500 for tuition) and Variety – The Children’s Charity (currently up to $5,500 for tutoring and tuition fees).

For families with two or more siblings enrolled at Fraser Academy concurrently, tuition fees will be discounted by $1,000 for each second and subsequent child.

Depending on their learning needs, Fraser Academy may recommend students attend 2:1 or Group LS, rather than 1:1 LS. Notification of candidacy is made in the Spring of the preceding school year. Discounts below relate to the 2023-24 school year and may be subject to change:

• Students enrolled in 2:1 LS – $3,250 discount
• Students enrolled in Group LS – $6,500 discount

Students are typically not eligible for 2:1 or Group LS during the first year of enrolment.

What factors do you take into consideration when assessing a candidate?

• To ensure that the match between your child and the school is the right one, we take many factors into consideration before making a decision, including:
  • PsychoEducational Assessment(s)
  • Past academic performance and future academic potential
  • Impressions gathered from the interview and results of the in-house intake assessment
  • Suitability for Fraser Academy’s program and learning environment, including school and classroom readiness, listening and communication skills, willingness to follow instructions and class routines, resilience, and potential to be an actively engaged and positive member of our community
  • Availability of space and class composition in the grade
  • Information from qualified psychologists, health care professionals, and educators.

What supporting documentation should I have on hand to complete my application?

• At the time of submitting the online application form, you will need:
  • Applicant photo (headshot/passport/school photo style)
  • Family photo (no hats, goggles, helmets)
  • Applicant birth certificate or passport
  • Parent(s)/Guardian(s) business cards (if applicable)
  • Current PsychoEducational Assessment (dated no earlier than 2021)
  • Any previous PsychoEducational Assessment(s) if applicable
  • Application fee ($75 for all applicants, including re-applicants)

• Once the Application Form has been received, our Admissions Team will email you within 1-2 business days to invite you to upload the following additional supporting documents to the Admissions Portal to complete your application::
  • School reports for the school years 2021-22 and 2022-23 (plus 2023-24 when available)
  • Individual Education Plan (IEP) (if available)
  • Applicant’s BC Medical Services Plan card (both sides) showing the same address you previously provided us with
  • Any assessments or reports relevant to an academic, health, or social emotional perspective
  • For Grade 11-12 applicants only, a list of all courses anticipated to be completed during the 2023-24 school year.

I applied in previous years to Fraser Academy. Can I reapply?

• Yes, we are happy to receive applications from those who were previously waitpooled. Please submit a full application so that you can update us on your child’s current needs. An application fee of $75 applies to all new applicants, as well as re-applicants.

What is the best time of year to apply to Fraser Academy?

• Intake years (Grade 2-7) – we anticipate that the majority of spaces will be filled by those who apply to our Early Bird (December 1, 2023) and Second Round (February 15, 2024) deadlines. Every year is different, but it is not uncommon for a few spaces in some grades to remain available in the Spring or Summer. We encourage you to apply as soon as you can.
• Non-intake years (Grade 8-12) – the withdrawal deadline for our currently enrolled families is February 15, 2024, at which point, we will have a better understanding of how many spaces will open up due to attrition by this date. We encourage you to apply by December 1, 2023 (or February 15, 2024 at the latest) to ensure the best chance of success.

I’ve been placed in a waitpool, what does this mean?

• If you receive a decision letter stating that your child is in the waitpool, it means they have met our entrance criteria, however, as we are limited in the number of spaces for each grade, your child did not fall within that round of offers. Candidates in the waitpool will be individually re-considered in the next round of offers, or when additional spaces open up unexpectedly in the grade. There is no ranking in the waitpool, hence why it is a “pool” not a “list.” Families in the waitpool will be contacted only if and when a suitable space has become available.

There’s already a waitpool in my child’s grade. Is it still worth applying?

• Absolutely. Please consider applying so that we can potentially add you to our waitpool. Spaces may open up unexpectedly at any time in the year, for a variety of reasons (e.g. families relocating, timetable opportunities arising). If your child is already in our waitpool, then we may select them if they are the “best fit” for the spot. We do not operate on a “first-come, first-served” basis, therefore it’s possible that your child could be the ideal candidate to offer acceptance to, even though someone else may have applied before them.

What are your regular school hours?

• Our regular school hours are:
  • Junior School (Grade 2-6): 8:00 am – 3:00 pm (Friday early dismissal at 2:25 pm)
  • Middle and Senior School (Grade 7-12): 8:00 am – 3:35 pm (Friday early dismissal at 2:25 pm)
• Complimentary supervision is available for Junior School students at drop off (from 7:45 am) and pick up (until 3:35 pm Monday – Thursday only).

Is there a school bus?

• Yes, Fraser Academy offers a daily bus service from the locations below, subject to adequate registration and an additional fee. Pick up and drop off times for the 2023-24 school year are:
  • South Surrey: Rona (3165 King George Hwy, Surrey) at 6:55 am and 4:35 pm (3:30 pm on Fridays)
  • North Shore: Westview Shopping Centre, in front of Safeway at 7:15 am and 4:15 pm (3:10 pm on Fridays)
  • Richmond: Richmond Ice Centre parking lot (14140 Triangle Rd., Richmond) at 7:20 am and 4:15 pm (3:10 pm on Fridays)

Is there a hot lunch program?

• Yes. An optional hot lunch program is offered to all families Monday to Thursday each week. Additional fees apply.

Do you give preference to siblings or children of alumni or staff?

• Fraser Academy values its community, therefore, when all else is equal and provided the admissions criteria are met, priority consideration for acceptance may be given to a current family (or recently enrolled family) or to the children of alumni or staff.

Do you accept out-of-province or international students?

• Yes. However, as we are a day school where parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are expected to be active and engaged in our community, students must live with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in the Lower Mainland. At least one parent or legal guardian must have Canadian citizenship, Permanent Residency status or a Work Visa. We do not enrol students requiring ELL support, or students residing in BC in a homestay arrangement. A fee supplement applies to all International students (please contact admissions@fraseracademy.ca for details).

Does Fraser Academy offer any other programs that could support my child, other than the day school program?

• Yes we do! We offer a variety of programs through our outreach centre, FAx. No prior formal diagnosis is required to access these programs and both online and in-person options may be available. Offerings include:
  • Early literacy screening (free – no charge) to identify those at risk of reading failure
  • After school tutoring (online and in-person) – servicing the needs of learners in the following areas:
    • 1:1 OG Instruction (reading/writing focus)
    • 1:1 Executive Function Coaching (for school age and university age students)
    • 1:1 Math Instruction
    • 1:1 NILD Educational Therapy
  • Spring Break Camps
  • Summer Boost Camps (2 week camps in July incorporating OG support)
  • Educational Consulting – to enable you to:
    • understand your child’s Psych Ed assessment in detail
    • learn specific strategies that can support your child at home and school
    • make recommendations for your child’s IEP at their current school
    • have conversations with your child’s school IEP team
    • prepare easy to understand reports so your child can advocate for themselves