Education
School Districts Serving Kelowna
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Kelowna's public schools are run by the Central Okanagan School District (SD23), which operates 50 schools for about 25,000 students. Nearly every public school in and around the city belongs to it. This page is for parents, and it covers how SD23 is set up, its main programs, the nearby districts and how parents really get a say.
About SD23
SD23 describes itself as the 5th largest school district in British Columbia, with about 25,000 students across Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland and Lake Country. It runs 50 schools: 32 elementary schools, 8 middle schools and 5 secondary schools, plus an alternate school, learning centres and an online school. About 4,500 full- and part-time staff work for the district. Most of its yearly budget comes from provincial grants based on how many students it has.
District Programs & Highlights
SD23's programs include French Immersion from Kindergarten through Grade 12, 1:1 devices for secondary students, support for students with different needs, and trades and dual-credit programs with Okanagan College.
French Immersion
Runs from Kindergarten through Grade 12 at select schools. Early French Immersion starts in Kindergarten at Casorso, Glenmore, Belgo and other elementary schools. Students can carry on through middle school to graduation at KSS, OKM and George Elliot Secondary. Demand is high. Register by February for the best chance at a spot. Graduates can work in both languages, an advantage in the Canadian job market.
Strong Graduation Rates
SD23 tracks and supports students all the way to graduation, with grad planning, career counselling and extra help for students who are struggling.
Technology & Innovation
Secondary students are on 1:1 device programs, so every student has a laptop or Chromebook. Coding starts in elementary, many schools have maker spaces with 3D printers and robotics kits, and digital skills are built into every subject.
Inclusive Education
Students with different learning needs get help from educational assistants, resource teachers, speech-language pathologists, school psychologists and occupational therapists. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) spell out each child's support. The district tries to keep kids in regular classrooms wherever it can.
Trades & Career Programs
Secondary schools offer dual-credit programs with Okanagan College, so students can earn college credits while still in high school. There's also trades training (woodwork, automotive, welding, culinary arts, electrical) and work experience. For trades, Rutland Senior Secondary is the standout.
Outdoor & Environmental Education
Several schools build outdoor learning into their lessons and make good use of the nearby landscape, so students study environmental science and get hands-on time outside.
Governance & Parent Involvement
SD23 is run by an elected Board of Education (school trustees). The board sets district policy, approves budgets and oversees the superintendent. Board meetings are public and held monthly, and parents can attend and speak during public comment time.
Closer to home, each school has a Parent Advisory Council (PAC) that runs fundraising and community events and gives input on how the school runs, and the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) works across all schools. If you want to meet other parents quickly, get a feel for a school and have a say in your child's experience, the PAC is the fastest way in.
Parent Tip: Go to a PAC meeting within your first month. You'll meet other parents, hear about school-specific programs and events, and see how the school community works. PAC volunteers are always needed.
Neighboring School Districts
Two other public school districts border SD23: SD22 (Vernon) to the north and SD67 (Okanagan Skaha) to the south. Private and independent schools run under BC's Independent School Act.
SD22: Vernon (North Okanagan)
Covers Vernon, Coldstream, Lumby and nearby communities to the north. Lake Country families are in SD23 but close to the SD22 line. George Elliot Secondary in Lake Country is the most northern SD23 secondary school.
SD67: Okanagan Skaha
Covers Penticton, Summerland, Naramata and Okanagan Falls to the south. If you live south of Peachland, you're in SD67. Further south, Oliver and Osoyoos are in SD53 (Okanagan Similkameen).
Independent School Inspectorate
Private and independent schools in BC run under the Independent School Act and are inspected (BC independent school policies) by the Ministry of Education. Group 1 independent schools such as Aberdeen Hall must hire BC-certified teachers and follow the BC curriculum, then add extra programs on top.
How to Contact SD23
The SD23 district office is at 1040 Hollywood Road South, Kelowna. Call 250-860-8888 or go to sd23.bc.ca, where you'll find the school locator tool, registration info, bus routes, district calendars and contact details for each school. For questions about enrolment, programs or choosing a school, call the district office.