Education
High Schools in Kelowna
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In this guide:
Kelowna's five main public high schools are Kelowna Secondary (KSS), Rutland Senior, Okanagan Mission (OKM), Mount Boucherie and George Elliot, and each has a different strength. Most teens go to their catchment school, but the differences are real: KSS is the one for AP courses, Rutland Senior for trades and OKM for athletics. Start with the side-by-side comparison below, then read the profiles, which help whether you're sizing up your catchment school or still deciding where to live.
Compare High Schools
SD23's five main secondary schools each have their own catchment and their own specialty. Most students go to their catchment school, but if you haven't picked where to live yet, the differences matter. Here they are at a glance. École KLO Middle, on Gordon Drive, often comes up in high school searches, but it's a middle school; its students move on afterward to a secondary school such as KSS or OKM.
Kelowna Secondary (KSS): Best for AP/Academics
Grades 10–12. KSS has the most AP courses, French Immersion through grad, an award-winning theatre program and the most courses overall, and it's central. Catchment: Central Kelowna, Downtown and parts of Glenmore. Pick it for the most academic choice, AP university prep, performing arts, or FI graduation on the Kelowna side.
Rutland Senior: Best for Trades & Career Prep
Top trades shops (automotive, woodwork, welding, culinary, hair styling), Okanagan College dual-credit, robotics & STEM and a diverse student body. Catchment: Rutland and SE Kelowna. A good fit for students who like trades, career-focused paths, dual-credit college courses or hands-on learning.
OKM Secondary: Best for Athletics & Community
French Immersion through grad, provincial championship volleyball and basketball, outdoor education, a strong parent community and a campus near the lake. Catchment: Lower Mission and Upper Mission. Best for student athletes, outdoorsy kids and families who want the strongest community feel.
Mount Boucherie: Best for Westside Families
The only SD23 secondary school on the Westside, strong in fine arts (band, drama, visual arts) and career education. Catchment: West Kelowna and Peachland. It's the default for Westside families and a good match for students into fine arts.
George Elliot: Best for Small-School Experience
French Immersion through grad, lots of one-on-one attention, outdoor education, agriculture and close teacher relationships. It's the community hub for Lake Country. Catchment: Lake Country (Winfield, Oyama, Carr's Landing). It suits families who want a smaller, close-knit school with more personal support.
Program Availability by School
Programs differ most between Kelowna high schools in AP, French Immersion, trades, fine arts and outdoor education. AP is where the gap is biggest: KSS has the most (6+ AP courses) and OKM has a few, while Rutland, Mt. Boucherie and George Elliot have few or none, though students there can take AP through distributed learning.
French Immersion runs through graduation at KSS, OKM and George Elliot, and Mount Boucherie and Rutland have no secondary FI program. For trades and shop, Rutland Senior has the best facilities, KSS has good woodwork and technology, Mt. Boucherie is in the middle, and OKM and George Elliot have less.
In fine and performing arts, KSS has the award-winning theatre program and Mt. Boucherie is strong in band and visual arts. OKM's arts program is growing, Rutland's is developing, and George Elliot's is small but has strong community support.
Outdoor education is strongest at OKM and also strong at George Elliot, which makes good use of its Lake Country setting. The others offer it, but less formally.
How do you choose a high school in Kelowna?
Choosing a Kelowna high school starts with your catchment school, which SD23's school locator shows for any address. It's the default, and it builds neighbourhood friendships that last beyond graduation. If a certain program really matters to your family (AP courses, trades, French Immersion), check which school offers it and try to buy or rent in that catchment.
Cross-boundary transfers are possible, but they depend on space and have to be renewed every year. Open houses are usually held January–February, and current families are a good source of information. For most families, the catchment school works well.
Kelowna Secondary School (KSS)
Kelowna Secondary School (KSS) is one of the district's two largest secondary schools, with ~1,900 students in Central Kelowna near Richter Street. KSS offers the widest choice of courses: it has the most courses in SD23 and more Advanced Placement (AP) courses than any other school in the district, including AP Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, English Literature, History and Studio Art. French Immersion continues through graduation.
The performing arts program has won awards and the school's musicals are large productions. Sports are strong too, with championship teams in volleyball, basketball, rugby and swimming. Its central spot makes KSS easy to reach from most neighbourhoods.
Rutland Senior Secondary
Rutland Senior Secondary is a ~1,900-student high school in Rutland and the go-to school for trades and career prep. It has the district's best shops for automotive, woodwork, welding, metal work, culinary arts and hair styling. Its dual-credit partnerships with Okanagan College let students earn college credits while still in high school, a head start for students who already know their direction.
Robotics and STEM programs are growing fast. The student body is diverse, like Rutland itself, and the teams compete hard across many sports.
Okanagan Mission Secondary (OKM)
Okanagan Mission Secondary (OKM) is a ~1,450-student high school in the Lower Mission. It's the sports school, especially for volleyball and basketball, with several provincial championship banners. The outdoor education program makes good use of the nearby lake and mountains, and academics are solid, with good university-prep courses. Parents are very involved, and the school has a strong identity and lots of school spirit.
Athletics Note: For a competitive athlete, especially in volleyball or basketball, OKM's programs are among the best in BC, with a strong sports culture and excellent coaches. That said, every SD23 secondary school offers competitive sports.
Mount Boucherie Secondary
Mount Boucherie Secondary is a ~1,750-student high school in West Kelowna. It's the only SD23 secondary school on the Westside, so it takes most West Kelowna and Peachland teens. If your child is in French Immersion, note that secondary FI is offered at KSS, OKM and George Elliot, not here.
Fine arts are the standout, with an award-winning concert band, jazz band, drama program and art studio. Career education programs prepare students for many paths, and sports include basketball, volleyball, football and soccer. The catchment runs from urban West Kelowna to rural Peachland, so the student body is a real mix.
George Elliot Secondary
George Elliot Secondary is a ~700-student high school in Lake Country (Winfield). It's the small-school option, with lots of personal attention and close teacher-student bonds. Its programs in outdoor education, agriculture (including greenhouse and farm programs) and environmental science make the most of Lake Country's rural setting.
The school is a hub of Lake Country social life, and in a community this close, teachers know each student and help comes quickly. Students who want AP or special courses not offered at GES can take them through distributed learning or partner programs.
George Pringle Secondary (West Kelowna)
George Pringle Secondary is a new SD23 high school being built in West Kelowna. SD23's school profile lists it as opening in September 2027 for Grades 9–12, with room for 1,200 students. Until then, Mount Boucherie is the only SD23 secondary school on the Westside. Westside families buying or renting now should check SD23 for catchment changes before the school opens.
Independent and Private High Schools
Kelowna's independent high school options include Aberdeen Hall, Kelowna Christian School, Immaculata Regional High School and Heritage Christian Online School. Independent schools set their own admissions and most charge tuition, so check each school's own site for current fees and openings.
Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School
An independent school covering Preschool to Grade 12. It publishes its tuition: for 2026–2027, its tuition schedule lists Grades 10–12 at $27,370, or $23,370 for qualifying students after a $4,000 government grant.
Kelowna Christian School
A Christian school covering Preschool to Grade 12, with its high school (Grades 9–12) and central office at 2870 Benvoulin Road. Its tuition page doesn't list rates in the page itself; families are asked to inquire.
Immaculata Regional High School
A Catholic high school at 1493 KLO Road, part of the Catholic Independent Schools of Nelson Diocese. Its tuition page says it is a Group 1 independent school; check that page or call the school for current tuition.
Heritage Christian Online School (HCOS)
A Kelowna-based Christian online school on Badke Road, serving students from kindergarten to graduation with BC-certified teachers. Students in Grades 10–12 can also take a course or two through cross-enrolment. Its homepage doesn't state tuition.
What do you need to graduate high school in BC?
BC high school graduation (the Graduation Program, or 'Dogwood Diploma') requires 80 credits. These include English Language Arts 12, a Math 11 or 12 and three more Grade 12-level courses. Students also have to complete the Grade 10 Numeracy Assessment, Grade 10 Literacy Assessment and Grade 12 Literacy Assessment.
Every SD23 secondary school offers grad planning, career counselling and help preparing for college or university. Counsellors start planning courses with students in Grade 9, so they meet both the grad rules and the entry rules for university or college.
Post-Secondary Preparation
Post-secondary prep at Kelowna high schools covers AP courses, dual-credit programs and counsellor help with applications. The schools have strong track records for getting students into university and college, and UBC Okanagan, Okanagan College and universities across BC and Canada actively recruit here. AP courses at KSS earn university credit and give students an edge in admissions, while dual-credit programs at Rutland Senior and other schools let students start college with credits already earned. Counsellors help with university, scholarship and financial aid applications, and the schools run yearly post-secondary info nights and university campus visits.