A school must be governed by an authority which registers the school with the Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools of the Ministry of Education, and operates it in accordance with the provisions of the Independent School Act under one of the four group classifications. A school must also meet zoning, fire, health, and building code requirements in force in the municipality.
Independent Schools may not have programs which promote racial or ethnic superiority, religious intolerance or persecution, social change through violent action, or sedition.
Schools that meet the criteria for classification 1 receive a grant that is 50% of the average operating grant per student in the public school district in which the school is located. Schools in classification 2 receive 35%. Schools in classification 3 and 4 receive no grants. Students from foreign countries constitute the majority enrollment in classification 4 schools. Classification 1, 2 and 4 may issue the Provincial graduation diploma. For further details regarding group classifications,please download the following: Requirements For Schools
For information on establishing an Independent School, please visit this link: MoE Independent School
The application process will include a visit to the school by FISA BC representatives.
To obtain a membership application form click on “Forms/Applications” at the top right portion of this page.